FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe Dumps Labour Party for ADC Ahead of 2027 Elections

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kingibe announced her departure from the LP on Friday in Abuja, citing persistent internal crises and factional divisions within the party. She explained that the divisions have rendered the Labour Party ineffective and incompatible with her political values and responsibilities. “Today, I officially resign from the Labour Party and announce my alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This is a strategic decision taken in the best interest of the people I represent,” she said. The senator stated that the ongoing dispute within the LP, which has led to the existence of two factions recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), provided the constitutional basis for her defection without losing her Senate seat. “The constitution is clear: where there is a division in a political party, an elected official has the right to join another party without losing their seat. I have simply exercised that right,” she said. Kingibe assured her supporters that her commitment to the people of the FCT remains firm, and her decision to join the ADC was made with their welfare in mind. She added that she intends to make a vibrant entrance into the ADC and would not merely pick a membership card quietly. “ADC is a growing party—like a baby learning to walk. But I believe in nurturing growth. I am not just here to pick a card quietly. I will make a loud entry. It will be grand,” she added. Her defection was welcomed by ADC officials, who described her move as a boost to the party’s credibility ahead of the 2027 elections. The party said Kingibe’s record of public service and commitment to democratic values would strengthen its chances in the FCT and beyond. Kingibe, elected on the LP platform in 2023, becomes one of the most prominent figures to exit the party in recent times, as political realignments continue across the country in the lead-up to the next general elections.