BREAKING: Senator Abaribe speaks on defecting to APC 

Senator Abaribe speaks on defecting to APC 

 

 

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe has firmly distanced himself from the growing trend of political defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he cannot justify such a move to his constituents in Aba, Abia State.

 

In a candid interview with Arise Television, Abaribe criticized the rationale behind the wave of defections and questioned whether they serve the interests of the Nigerian people — particularly those in the Southeast.

 

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“I’m going to go to the Aba people and tell them we’re defecting to the APC. They will ask me one simple question: What have the Igbos gained from this government?” Abaribe said, highlighting the deep skepticism among his constituents about aligning with the ruling party.

 

The senator recounted a conversation with a colleague who cited the creation of the Southeast Development Commission as a gain for the region under the APC-led government. However, Abaribe dismissed the claim, noting that other regions had already benefited from similar commissions long before.

 

“That doesn’t count as a unique achievement,” he said. “It’s something that should have happened already.”

 

Abaribe also accused the current administration of practicing what he described as “competitive nepotism,” drawing parallels with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, which he said was marked by regional favoritism in appointments and developmental priorities.

 

His comments come amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, as several prominent politicians have defected to the APC in recent months in what critics describe as a scramble for political survival.

 

Senator Abaribe, a long-time advocate for the rights of the Southeast, reaffirmed his commitment to staying with a political ideology that aligns with the interests of his people.

 

“The people of Aba are smart. They don’t just follow the bandwagon — they ask tough, necessary questions. And until I can answer them satisfactorily, I have no business joining the APC,” he concluded.