ABARIBE, IKWECHEGH ASKED TO STEP DOWN FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY APGA

Read Time:1 Minute, 52 Second

By: Fasasi Hammad

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on Enyinnaya Abaribe and Alex Mascot Ikwechegh to relinquish their seats in the National Assembly following their defections to other political parties.

APGA noted that both lawmakers were originally elected on its platform and, as such, should vacate their mandates after joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively.

Speaking at a press conference in Aba, APGA Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Barr. Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, said the departure of the two federal lawmakers was not unexpected and described it as a “prayer well answered for the speedy recovery and liberation of APGA.”

“Their exit did not come as a surprise. Rather, it has freed the party from what we call ‘political hostage and asphyxiation,’” Nwokoro said.

RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY SCHEDULES SCREENING FOR COMMISSIONER NOMINEES

He emphasized that the lawmakers’ mandates legally belong to APGA and that it would be morally appropriate for them to vacate their seats immediately.

“The National Assembly seats they occupy belong to APGA. It is only honourable that they step down without delay,” he stated.

While acknowledging that defections are part of Nigeria’s democratic culture, APGA insisted that the lawmakers’ exit would not weaken the party’s position in Abia State. The party also criticized Abaribe and Ikwechegh for contributing little to its growth during their tenure, describing their actions as “sabotage” against APGA’s development in the state.

APGA said it had learned “bitter lessons” from the experience and vowed to prevent political opportunists from hijacking the party in the future.

The party assured members and supporters that it is repositioning to emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections. Nwokoro noted that under the leadership of Abia State Chairman Sunday Onukwubiri, APGA is preparing for greater success in the upcoming electoral cycle.

He urged aspiring candidates to join APGA early if they intend to contest elections on the party’s platform, warning that APGA would no longer serve as a “last resort” for desperate politicians.

“APGA has come to stay in Abia State. No amount of political maneuvering will distract us as we march toward 2027,” he concluded.