Atiku Abubakar’s aide Paul Ibe criticises the Senate over the controversy surrounding Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s defection to ADC
Media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has criticised the Nigerian Senate over the controversy surrounding the defection of Enyinnaya Abaribe from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Also read: Senate Leader Bamidele: Abaribe’s Seat May Be Vacant
Ibe made the remarks in a post shared on his X handle while reacting to the brief tension that erupted during Senate plenary on Thursday following the announcement of Abaribe’s defection.
The session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reportedly saw some lawmakers question the constitutional basis for the senator’s move.
Reacting to the development, Ibe accused the Senate leadership of selectively invoking constitutional provisions.
He questioned why similar concerns were not raised when opposition lawmakers allegedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“All of a sudden, Tinubu’s lapdog Senate is invoking sections of the Nigerian Constitution in querying Senator Abaribe’s defection to the ADC,” Ibe wrote.
He further argued that Abaribe had already ceased to be a member of APGA before aligning with the ADC.
According to him, the Abia State chapter of the party had indefinitely suspended the senator on September 26, 2025, over alleged anti-party activities.
“It is a shame that they don’t know or pretend not to know that Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe was indefinitely suspended from APGA by the Abia State chapter on September 26, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities,” he stated.
Ibe maintained that the suspension meant Abaribe was no longer a member of APGA at the time he identified with the ADC.
“So, Akpabio and his lackeys should save their energies for making laws for the good of Nigerians and not just serving as Tinubu’s yes-men and yes-women,” he added.
Also read: Senate Leader Bamidele: Abaribe’s Seat May Be Vacant
The development adds to the growing political debate surrounding recent defections in the National Assembly and the constitutional provisions guiding lawmakers who change parties while in office.
