The leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has called on the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, to declare the Abia South senatorial seat vacant following the defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from APGA to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
In a communiqué issued after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Awka, the party commended the Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, for standing firm in defense of democracy and the constitutional order regarding what it described as the unlawful defection of Senator Abaribe from APGA.
“The NWC calls on the Senate leadership to invoke relevant provisions of the Constitution and declare his seat vacant, in light of his betrayal of the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Abia South Senatorial District”, the communique read in part.
It commended the leadership of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of the Electoral Act, 2026, and President Bola Tinubu, for granting immediate assent to the bill.
According to APGA, the enactment will guarantee certainty in the electoral process and further strengthen the preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 General Elections.
“The NWC further notes and commends the innovative introductions in the new Electoral Act, particularly on the mode of primary elections by political parties and the digitization of the membership database of political parties.
“APGA firmly believes that such innovative provisions align with global best practices and further strengthen internal party democracy. NWC, however, tasks the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that its revised timetable for the 2027 general elections aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026”, the communique further stated.
While noting the challenges posed by the ongoing Electronic Membership Revalidation and Registration Exercise, the party assured that they would be resolved promptly, calling on its members and intending members, as well as all progressives, to take advantage of the window of opportunity provided by the exercise to register.
The party also congratulated its national leader and Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on his swearing-in ceremony for a 2nd term in office.
“NWC notes that the governor’s developmental strides in Anambra State resulted in the massive victory recorded by the party during the last gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
“NWC urges Governor Soludo to continue to devote his strength towards fulfilling his campaign promises to Anambra people in a bid to realize his ambition of making Anambra a livable and prosperous smart mega city”, it further said.
