Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 10th National Assembly, has officially completed her defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant boost for the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defection was formalised on Thursday during a well-attended ceremony at Merit House in Abuja, where Kingibe received her ADC membership card from party officials.
The event, described as celebratory, was attended by senior ADC leaders, candidates for the upcoming February 2026 FCT area council elections, supporters, and members of the media.
With this move, Kingibe becomes the first and only serving senator in the ADC, a development hailed by party officials as a landmark achievement.
Her media aide, Kennedy Mbele, stated: “Kingibe’s bold step of joining the ADC makes her the only serving senator in the new but vibrant opposition party.”
Addressing the gathering, Kingibe explained her decision, praising the ADC's growing strength and vision.
“I have chosen to join the African Democratic Congress because it is a giant in the making. In the FCT, ADC is not just present; it is strong, vibrant, and growing from strength to strength,” she said.
The senator emphasised the party's commitment to inclusive development, responsive leadership, and accountability.
Kingibe had initially announced her intention to defect in July 2025, citing internal crises and factions within the Labour Party as justification for the move, which she argued was constitutionally permissible.
The formal registration on Thursday ends months of speculation and solidifies her alignment with the ADC.
Party leaders welcomed her enthusiastically. ADC Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai called it a "landmark gain," saying: “We have caught a big fish. Senator Ireti Kingibe’s entry consolidates the coalition we have been building.”
Former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu described the defection as a "strong boost" to the party's profile, reflecting broader public dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Following the ceremony, Kingibe declared the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) her home base as the first battleground for the ADC in the upcoming FCT area council polls, vowing to lead efforts to secure victories across the territory's six councils.
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