Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, has opened up about her decision to dump the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking on a popular national television program, Kingibe noted that the deepening leadership crisis within her former party left her with no other choice but to seek a more stable platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The senator pointed out that the Labour Party is currently torn between two main factions: one led by Julius Abure and another by Nenadi Usman. She argued that this internal division has made the party an unviable platform for any serious politician. Kingibe highlighted that during recent local government elections, the party was unable to even field candidates in many areas, a situation she described as a major red flag for anyone holding elective office.
Addressing concerns about the legality of her defection, Kingibe explained that the Nigerian constitution specifically allows elected officials to move to another party if their original party becomes factionalized. While she acknowledged that those who defect without a valid constitutional reason should normally lose their seats, she insisted that the current state of the Labour Party provides a clear and lawful justification for her move.
The FCT senator also touched on her political future, remaining confident in her standing with her constituents. She noted that since the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it has been notoriously difficult for any single individual to dictate how the people of the FCT cast their votes. By moving to the ADC, Kingibe says she is positioning herself on a platform that offers the clarity and focus needed to serve the residents of the capital territory effectively.
