APGA Tackles Abaribe, Ikwechegh Over Defection, Demands Immediate Vacation of National Assembly Seats

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on Senator representing Abia South Senatorial Zone Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Member representing Abia North and South Federal Constituency Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh to immediately vacate their seats in the National Assembly following their recent defections from the party.

The party made the demand during a press briefing while reviewing its activities and political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, and read by the State Chairman of APGA in AbAPGA insisted that the National Assembly seats currently occupied by the two lawmakers rightfully belong to the party that sponsored their elections.

The party recalled that Senator Abaribe recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Hon. Ikwechegh moved to the Labour Party (LP).

According to the statement, the defections did not come as a surprise to the party leadership, which described the development as “a prayer answered” that would enable APGA recover from what it termed political bondage.

APGA noted that it provided the platform that facilitated Senator Abaribe’s return to the Senate at a time he allegedly faced rejection from his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party also claimed that Hon. Ikwechegh rose to national political prominence through the platform provided by APGA.

While acknowledging that politicians have the constitutional right to join political parties of their choice, the party maintained that the lawmakers’ seats in the National Assembly were secured through APGA’s platform and therefore should be relinquished.

The party further alleged that both Abaribe and Ikwechegh served as leaders of APGA in Abia State from 2023 until their resignation but failed to strengthen the party’s structures, including the establishment of a functional state secretariat.

According to APGA, their tenure as party leaders in the state was “abysmal” and amounted to an act of sabotage against the party’s growth and development.
Despite the development, the party insisted that the defections would not distract it from its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

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APGA reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding its structures in Abia State under the leadership of the state chairman, Elder Ambassador Sunday Onukwuburi, assuring supporters that the party would emerge stronger ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The party also described itself as one of the most peaceful political platforms in Nigeria and called on individuals with credible political aspirations in Abia State to join the party early in preparation for the 2027 elections.

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APGA assured its members and supporters that it would uphold internal democracy, fairness and transparency in the selection of its candidates for the forthcoming elections.