Two serving senators have dumped the African Democratic Congress and moved to the New Democratic Congress and Labour Party respectively, blaming leadership problems in their former party.
Senators Chijioke Umeh and Enyinnaya Abaribe made the switch after months of internal wrangling within the ADC, which has struggled to maintain unity since its poor showing in the 2023 general elections. Both men said the party's inability to resolve disputes among its leadership made it impossible for them to continue.
Umeh, who represents Enugu East in the Senate, moved to the NDC, while Abaribe, who represents Enugu West, joined the Labour Party. Their departures mark another blow to the ADC, which has watched several of its members return to the People's Democratic Party and other parties in recent months.
The senators did not immediately give detailed statements about their plans in their new parties, but sources close to them said they felt sidelined by the ADC's handling of internal disputes. The party has been torn by disagreements over its leadership structure and the direction of the party since its presidential candidate, Obi Datti Mahmud, lost the last election with less than 4 percent of the national vote.
Abaribe, a lawyer and former gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, had been with the ADC since 2022, when he left the PDP. Umeh, a businessman and politician with deep roots in Enugu politics, joined the ADC in 2019 after years with the PDP.
Their defections come as the NDC and Labour Party seek to strengthen their presence in the National Assembly ahead of 2027. Both parties have made overtures to senators from other parties, offering positions and influence within their structures.
The ADC leadership has not yet responded to the senators' departure, but insiders say the party is bracing for more exits in the coming weeks. The party's national chairman has called for an emergency meeting of party stakeholders to address the crisis.
