Senate Leader calls for Abaribe's seat to be declared vacant after defection

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has declared that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe's seat should be declared vacant following his defection from APGA to ADC. Bamidele cited Section 68(1b) of the constitution, which covers circumstances making a senator ineligible for election. He stated Abaribe is currently not a member of any political party, leaving him without majority or minority affiliation. The Senate Leader urged Abaribe to withdraw his defection letter to allow for proper resolution. This follows the defection of nine senators from PDP, LP, and APGA to ADC during plenary on Thursday. The Senate will now determine the next steps regarding Abaribe's seat.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/13/defection-sen-abaribes-seat-should-be-declared-vacant-bamidele/