‘Those Seats Belong to APGA’ — Party Demands Senators Abaribe, Ikwechegh Quit NASS
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 of Nigeria following their defection from the party.
The party insisted that both lawmakers were elected under its platform and therefore no longer have the moral right to continue occupying the positions after leaving the party.
APGA made the demand during a press conference held in Aba, Abia State, where its Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, accused the lawmakers of abandoning the platform that brought them into office.
Abaribe represents Abia South Senatorial District in the Senate, while Ikwechegh represents Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Their recent political moves have triggered reactions within the party, especially after Abaribe reportedly joined the African Democratic Congress while Ikwechegh defected to the Labour Party.
Speaking on the development, Nwokoro said the party was not surprised by their departure, describing the situation as one that has instead strengthened APGA.
“The actions of these men did not come to us as a surprise. Rather, it is a prayer answered for the speedy recovery and liberation of APGA,” he said.
The party maintained that the mandates secured during the election belong to the political platform that sponsored the candidates, not the individuals.
“The seats they are occupying at the National Assembly belong to APGA. It is only honourable that they vacate them immediately,” Nwokoro added.
APGA further alleged that the two lawmakers contributed little to the development of the party structure in Abia State during their time as members.
According to the party, their activities weakened the internal strength of the organisation and slowed its growth in the state.
Despite the defections, APGA expressed confidence that its political structure remains intact. The party assured members and supporters that it would continue to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwokoro also revealed that the party leadership in Abia State, under chairman Sunday Onukwubiri, has begun consultations and mobilisation efforts aimed at strengthening the party’s base across the state.
He warned that the party would no longer allow opportunistic politicians to take advantage of its platform during election periods.
