Senator Ireti Kingibe dumps Labour Party for ADC

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has announced her defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing deepening internal divisions within her former party.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Kingibe said her decision to join the ADC was carefully considered and would be officially formalized in a grand event.

“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC,” she stated. “But as the senator representing the FCT, don’t expect me to simply take a lunch break and go pick up a party card. I want to do it with some noise and fanfare.”

When asked about her confidence in ADC’s leadership and the broader opposition coalition it is spearheading, Kingibe acknowledged that the party is still developing but expressed optimism about its future.

“It’s an evolving platform,” she said.

“You don’t judge a child still crawling on how well they can run. We are growing.”

Addressing concerns over the constitutional implications of her defection, Kingibe pointed to the ongoing factional crisis in the Labour Party as justification for her move, citing provisions in the constitution that permit elected officials to switch parties when their current party is split.

“I urge you to read the constitution. Labour Party has two clear factions. That meets the constitutional definition allowing a decamp without penalty,” she explained.

“So when people ask which LP faction I should remain in — which one exactly? INEC even received parallel results and candidates during the last primaries. That speaks volumes.”

Kingibe emphasized that her decision to leave was rooted in legality and not political opportunism.

“If there weren’t two distinct factions in LP, I would not decamp. That would be unconstitutional. But in this case, it is fully justified — and I chose ADC.”

She was among several notable politicians present at the official unveiling of the ADC as the platform for a new opposition coalition on July 2 in Abuja.

Kingibe’s defection signals a potential realignment ahead of the 2027 general election, as the ADC positions itself as a home for dissatisfied members of other opposition parties.