By Mick Oseji, Asaba
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to declare the Abia South senatorial seat vacant following the defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The call was part of resolutions reached at the party’s NWC meeting held in Awka, as contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the session.
APGA argued that Abaribe’s defection lacked any constitutional justification and urged the Senate leadership to invoke relevant provisions of the law to declare the seat vacant. The party described the move as a betrayal of the mandate given to him by the people of Abia South Senatorial District.
Commending the Senate leadership, APGA praised what it called its firm stance in upholding democracy and constitutional order, particularly in addressing the lawmaker’s defection, which it labelled unlawful.
“The Senate should act in light of his betrayal of the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Abia South Senatorial District,” the communiqué stated.
The party also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the Electoral Act 2026 Bill, recently passed by the National Assembly. It noted that the legislation would strengthen the electoral process and enhance preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections.
APGA highlighted key innovations in the new law, including reforms in the conduct of party primaries and the digitisation of political party membership databases, describing them as consistent with global best practices and crucial to deepening internal democracy.
The party, however, charged INEC to ensure that its revised timetable for the 2027 elections aligns strictly with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.
In addition, APGA called on its members, prospective members, and other progressives to take advantage of the ongoing electronic revalidation and registration exercise.
The NWC also urged Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, to sustain efforts in delivering on his campaign promises, stressing the need to actualise his vision of transforming Anambra into a livable and prosperous smart mega city.
