The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has refuted claims that she has defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing such reports as “false, inaccurate, and a complete fabrication.”
In an exclusive interview with THE WHISTLER on Saturday, Senator Kingibe clarified that despite attending coalition events where the ADC was adopted as the preferred platform for the 2027 elections, she remains firmly in the Labour Party.
“I’m still in the Labour Party,” Kingibe said, brushing aside swirling rumours that she had formally joined the ADC.
Her statement comes amid heightened speculation triggered by her participation in a major political gathering where a coalition of opposition elements—drawn from the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and others—unveiled the ADC as their unified platform ahead of the next general elections.
The coalition includes prominent national figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai (SDP), former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi (APC), and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Former Senate President David Mark (PDP) was appointed interim National Chairman of the ADC, with former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola (APC) named as interim Secretary.
Some of the defections including David Mark have resigned from their political parties days after emerging party executives in the ADC.
Although her presence at the adoption event alongside other political heavyweights raised eyebrows, Kingibe insists it does not amount to defection.
“I am serving the residents of the FCT, and any report that I have dumped the Labour Party is false, inaccurate, and a complete fabrication,” she said.
She also addressed a recent media interview where she was quoted as saying, “I’m totally and completely committed to ADC,” a statement many interpreted as confirmation of her exit from the Labour Party.
Clarifying that remark, she asked: “Where did they get that report from? Who told them? When did I hold the interview to announce my resignation?”
According to her, the statement was made in the context of her support for the coalition’s ideals, not an indication that she had formally left her party.
“But obviously, as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card,” she said, referring to formal party registration procedures. “I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” he had said at the ADC event.
She reiterated that while she is sympathetic to the broader coalition movement, she has not formally defected to another party.
“We, including Mr Peter Obi and others, are still in the Labour Party. My commitment to serving the people of the FCT remains unchanged,” she told THE WHISTLER.
