Politicians in the Opposition Coalition are Cautioned by Akpabio not to Join Two Parties.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned politicians against being members of more than one political party, a statement perceived by many as a subtle critique aimed at the opposition coalition members, particularly the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Akpabio made this assertion while addressing a National Assembly session, emphasizing that it is inappropriate for an individual to profess membership in one party while simultaneously engaging in the activities of another party. "You cannot claim to be a member of the ADC while still identifying as a member of the Labour Party. It is not permissible to belong to two political parties. Only one party will participate in the election," Akpabio remarked. Akpabio’s comments are interpreted as a reminder to Obi and others present at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) summit, highlighting his insistence on being a member of the LP, which many view as contradictory, leading to speculation regarding Obi’s political future. The Senate President, who held the position of Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, stated that while the APC is open to welcoming defectors, the vitality of the nation’s democracy relies on a robust opposition. Akpabio also took the opportunity to commend the current House of Representatives for maintaining relative peace in comparison to previous legislative sessions, some of which were characterized by physical altercations.