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

APGA said both lawmakers were elected on its platform and should relinquish their mandates after defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP), respectively.

Addressing a press conference in Aba, APGA Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Barr. Chukwuemeka Nwokoro said the exit of the two federal lawmakers did not come as a surprise to the party.

According to him, their departure has rather liberated the party from what he described as “political hostage and asphyxiation”.

“The actions of these men did not come to us as a surprise. Rather, it is a prayer well answered for the speedy recovery and liberation of APGA”, he said.

The party, however, insisted that both lawmakers should immediately vacate their seats at the National Assembly since they were elected on APGA’s platform.

Nwokoro argued that the mandates belong to the party, stressing that it would be morally right for the defectors to relinquish the positions.

“The seats they are occupying at the National Assembly belong to APGA. It is only honourable that they vacate them immediately,” he said.

While acknowledging that political defections are part of Nigeria’s democratic culture, APGA maintained that the exit of the two lawmakers would not affect the party’s fortunes.

The party further accused Abaribe and Ikwechegh of contributing little to its growth in Abia State during their time as party leaders.

According to the party, their actions amounted to “sabotage” against APGA’s development in the state.

APGA said it had learnt “bitter lessons” from the development and vowed not to allow political opportunists to hijack the party in the future.

The party also assured its members and supporters that it would emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwokoro said APGA, under the leadership of its Abia State chairman, Sunday Onukwubiri, is already repositioning to ensure greater success in the next electoral cycle.

He called on those interested in contesting elections on APGA’s platform in 2027 to join the party early, warning that it would no longer serve as a “last resort” for desperate politicians.

“APGA has come to stay in Abia State. No amount of political shenanigans will distract us as we march towards 2027,” he said. (Vanguard)