Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory at the National Assembly, has formally defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress, triggering fresh political calculations within Abuja’s power corridors.
DDM gathered that the defection was officially sealed on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, at the national headquarters of the ADC in Wuse, Abuja, during a well-attended ceremony.
The event attracted top ADC leaders, party chieftains, political allies, and supporters who described the moment as a turning point in the party’s national expansion strategy.
Kingibe’s move marks one of the most high-profile defections in the FCT since the 2023 general elections, where the Labour Party recorded its strongest showing in the territory.
Addressing party members after her registration, the senator said her decision followed extensive consultations and careful consideration of the ADC’s internal structure and political direction.
She stated that the ADC’s organisational discipline and people-focused ideology aligned more closely with her vision for effective representation and grassroots governance.
Kingibe also cited the party’s preparedness for the upcoming February 21, 2026, FCT area council elections as a major factor influencing her decision.
According to her, winning elections at the local level is critical to addressing pressing development and service delivery challenges faced by residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
ADC leaders, in their remarks, described Kingibe as a seasoned politician whose entry instantly elevates the party’s profile within the National Assembly.
They announced that she becomes the first serving senator to officially join the ADC, a development they described as historic and strategically significant.
Party officials expressed confidence that her presence would strengthen the ADC’s appeal among urban voters, professionals, and youth across the six area councils of the FCT.
The defection is widely seen as a blow to the Labour Party, which had relied heavily on its strong FCT support base to project itself as a viable third force in national politics.
Political observers note that internal disagreements, leadership tensions, and organisational weaknesses have continued to plague the Labour Party since the 2023 elections.
Analysts argue that Kingibe’s exit may encourage further defections, particularly among elected officials seeking more structured platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move is also expected to intensify competition in the FCT, traditionally dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress and challenged in recent years by opposition parties.
With the ADC now boasting a sitting senator, attention is shifting to how the party will leverage this momentum in the forthcoming area council polls.
Some analysts believe the ADC could emerge as a serious contender in Abuja politics if it successfully converts elite defections into grassroots support.
Others caution that sustained organisational work, funding, and voter mobilisation will be required to translate political symbolism into electoral victories.
The defection underscores the growing fluidity of Nigeria’s political landscape, where party loyalty is increasingly shaped by structure, strategy, and electoral viability.
For the ADC, Kingibe’s decision is being celebrated as a validation of its long-term efforts to position itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
For the Labour Party, the development raises urgent questions about internal cohesion and its ability to retain influential figures beyond protest-driven electoral cycles.
As Abuja politics enters a new phase, stakeholders agree that Senator Kingibe’s defection has altered the balance of forces in the FCT and set the stage for an unpredictable political season.