The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged two federal lawmakers, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, to vacate their seats in the National Assembly following their recent defections to other political parties.
The party argued that the two legislators won their mandates on the APGA platform and should therefore relinquish their positions after defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Aba, the party’s Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, said the lawmakers’ departure did not come as a surprise to the party leadership. Nwokoro stated that their departure had instead freed the party from what he described as political limitations that had previously affected its progress.
“The actions of these individuals were not unexpected. In fact, their departure is a welcome development that will help reposition and strengthen APGA in Abia State,” he said.
He insisted that since the two lawmakers were elected under APGA, it would be appropriate for them to vacate their positions in the National Assembly.
According to him, the mandates were secured through the party’s platform, and it would be morally right for the defectors to relinquish the seats.
“Those positions were obtained on the strength of APGA’s platform, and it is only proper that they step aside after leaving the party,” Nwokoro added.
While acknowledging that political defections are a common feature of Nigeria’s democratic system, APGA stressed that the development would not weaken the party’s standing in the state.
The party also alleged that Abaribe and Ikwechegh contributed little to its growth in Abia State during their time within the party, accusing them of undermining its progress.
According to Nwokoro, the experience has provided valuable lessons for the party, which he said would no longer allow opportunistic politicians to exploit its platform.
He assured party members and supporters that APGA would emerge stronger as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.
Nwokoro further noted that the party, under the leadership of its Abia State chairman, Sunday Onukwubiri, has already begun efforts to reposition itself for better performance in the next electoral cycle.
He also urged individuals interested in contesting elections on APGA’s platform in 2027 to join the party early, stressing that it would no longer serve as a fallback option for politicians seeking last-minute tickets.
“APGA remains a formidable political force in Abia State, and we will not be distracted as we prepare for the 2027 elections,” he said.