Senator Ireti Kingibe, who currently represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate, has officially severed ties with the Labour Party (LP), announcing her defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a strategic political move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Kingibe explained that her decision was not made lightly but was instead a product of careful consideration and deliberate political calculation. She added that although her official induction into the ADC had yet to take place, she plans to make it a ceremonious event.
“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC,” she stated. “But obviously, as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card. I want to do so with noise and fanfare.”
While responding to questions about her level of confidence in the leadership of her new party and the broader coalition forming within its ranks, Kingibe compared the party’s current state to a growing child, asserting that growth and development are expected with time.
“It’s something that is evolving,” she said. “So you cannot say while your child is still crawling that you are not happy with how he’s going to run. You wait. We are growing.”
The senator’s move, though anticipated in some political circles, has raised questions about whether her defection could cost her seat in the Senate, given the stipulations in Nigeria’s constitution regarding cross-carpeting by elected officials. Kingibe, however, offered a firm legal defense for her action, arguing that the existence of two recognized factions within the Labour Party provides her with constitutional cover to switch parties without facing penalties.
“I ask you to please read the constitution. There are two factions—clear factions—of Labour Party,” she asserted. “The perfect definition that the constitution gives for somebody to decamp without penalty applies in this case.”
She further pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had received two different sets of results and candidates from the party during elections, underscoring the deep internal divisions.
“Even INEC got two sets of results and candidates, though they didn’t accept any. So if you ask me to stay in Labour Party, which faction do you want me to stay in?”
According to her, the decision to move to the ADC is fully aligned with the provisions of the constitution and reflects her enduring respect for democratic processes and the rule of law.
“If there were not two distinct factions of Labour Party, I would not presume to decamp, because that is unconstitutional. But they are. And this is the definition the constitution gave why it would be okay to decamp to anywhere I wanted to go. I just chose ADC.”
Senator Kingibe’s defection marks a significant shift in the political dynamics of the FCT, where she was elected under the Labour Party banner during the 2023 general elections. Her move to the ADC, a relatively smaller party gaining traction as opposition coalitions take shape, may signal a broader political realignment as the race to 2027 begins to intensify.
As one of the few female senators in the current National Assembly, Kingibe’s actions are closely watched by political analysts and constituents alike. Her influence and political capital in the FCT make her defection a notable development in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
Observers say Kingibe’s defection may also trigger a wave of political repositioning within the Labour Party, particularly among its elected officials who have grown frustrated with the party’s internal wrangling and perceived lack of cohesion since the 2023 elections.
Her upcoming formal induction into the ADC is expected to draw political figures and supporters, further legitimizing her departure and signaling her commitment to building a new political base ahead of the next election cycle.
What You Should Know
Senator Ireti Kingibe has formally left the Labour Party and declared her allegiance to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
She cites the existence of two distinct factions within the LP as constitutional grounds for her defection. Her official induction into the ADC will take place with a public event, underscoring her political rebranding ahead of the 2027 elections.
