By Madu Obi
The leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has called on the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, to declare Abia South senatorial seat vacant following the defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from APGA to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
In a communique issued after the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, meeting in Awka, the party commended the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio for standing firm in defence of democracy and constitutional order regarding what it described as the unlawful defection of Senator Abaribe from APGA.
“The NWC calls on the Senate leadership to invoke relevant provisions of the Constitution and declare his seat vacant, in light of his betrayal of the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Abia South Senatorial District”, the communique read in part.
It commended the leadership of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of the Electoral Act, 2026 and President Bola Tinubu, for granting immediate assent to the bill.
According to APGA, the enactment will guarantee certainty in the electoral process and further strengthen the preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 General Elections.
“The NWC further notes and commends the innovative introductions in the new Electoral Act, particularly on the mode of primary elections by political parties and the digitization of membership database of political parties.
APGA firmly believes that such innovative provisions align with global best practices and further strengthens internal party democracy. NWC however tasks the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that its revised timetable for 2027 general elections aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026”, the communique further stated.
While noting the challenges posed by the ongoing Electronic Membership Revalidation and Registration Exercise, the party assured of their prompt resolution, calling on its members and intending members, as well as all progressives, to take advantage of the window of opportunity provided by the exercise to register.
The party also congratulated its national leader and Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on his swearing-in ceremony for a 2nd term in office as Governor of Anambra State.
“NWC notes that the governor’s developmental strides in Anambra State resulted in the massive victory recorded by the party during the last gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
NWC urges Governor Soludo to continue to devote his strength towards fulfilling his campaign promises to Ndi Anambra in a bid to realizing his ambition of making Anambra a livable and prosperous smart mega city”, it further said.
