|By Chinwendu Nwani
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has demanded that two federal lawmakers, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, vacate their seats in the National Assembly following their recent defections to other political parties.
APGA maintained that both legislators secured their mandates on the party’s platform and, as such, it would be morally and politically appropriate for them to step down after joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively.
Speaking at a press briefing in Aba, the party’s Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, said the defections were not a surprise to party leadership. He added that the lawmakers’ exit would allow APGA to overcome the political limitations that had previously hindered its growth in the state.
“The actions of these individuals were not unexpected. In fact, their departure is a welcome development that will help reposition and strengthen APGA in Abia State,” Nwokoro said.
He stressed that the mandates were obtained through APGA’s platform and it would be right for the defectors to relinquish their positions.
“Those positions were obtained on the strength of APGA’s platform, and it is only proper that they step aside after leaving the party,” he added.
While acknowledging that political defections are common in Nigeria’s democratic system, APGA insisted that the development would not weaken the party’s standing in Abia. The party also alleged that Abaribe and Ikwechegh contributed little to its growth during their tenure and, in some cases, undermined its progress.
Nwokoro described the experience as a lesson for the party, emphasizing that APGA would no longer allow opportunistic politicians to exploit its platform. He assured members and supporters that the party would emerge stronger as preparations for the 2027 general elections begin.
He further noted that under the leadership of its Abia State chairman, Sunday Onukwubiri, APGA has already started repositioning itself for better electoral performance. Nwokoro also urged aspiring politicians to join the party early rather than using it as a fallback option for last-minute candidacy.
“APGA remains a formidable political force in Abia State, and we will not be distracted as we prepare for the 2027 elections,” he said.
