Recently, there has been considerable speculation about Ireti Kingibe, the esteemed lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and her political affiliations. Rumours circulated that she had defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, Kingibe has publicly debunked these claims, describing them as “false, inaccurate, and a complete fabrication.”

A Clarification on Her Political Position

Ireti Kingibe remains a committed member of the Labour Party. In a recent statement, she emphasised that her political stance has not changed. “I am still a member of the Labour Party,” she affirmed, clearing up any misconceptions.

Understanding the Difference: Coalition vs. Merger

To clarify some of the confusion circulating, it’s crucial to distinguish between a coalition and a merger:

• Coalition: This is an alliance where parties remain independent but come together temporarily or for a specific purpose, such as supporting a particular candidate. No party needs to surrender its identity or membership, and crucially, INEC approval is not required for a coalition.
• Merger: This involves two or more parties combining into a new entity, often requiring the dissolution of the original parties, identity and approval from INEC. It’s a more permanent and formal unification.

Ireti Kingibe’s current stance aligns with the concept of a coalition. She and other parties are collaborating without dissolving their identities, supporting a common candidate while remaining separate entities within their respective parties.

Addressing the Political Fanfare

Following widespread discourse, Kingibe also explained her recent decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). She stated that her move was deliberate and would be marked with appropriate fanfare. During an address to the press in Abuja, she declared:

“I am totally committed to ADC. But, as the senator representing FCT, don’t expect me just to take a lunch break and collect a new party card quietly. I want to do so with noise and fanfare.”

When asked about her confidence in ADC’s leadership and the coalition she’s joining, Kingibe acknowledged that the party is still evolving, likening it to a child learning to walk: “It’s something that is evolving. You can’t expect it to be perfect while it’s still crawling. We are growing.”

Legal Justifications for Her Move

There has been concern that her defection could jeopardise her Senate seat due to constitutional provisions. Kingibe addressed this by pointing out that the Labour Party is currently fractured into two factions. She argued that this factional division provides a legal basis for her to switch party allegiance without penalty, citing the constitution:

“Please read the constitution. There are two clear factions within the Labour Party. The constitution defines this situation as a valid reason to decamp without penalty.”

She further explained, “Even when we previously didn’t have clear factions, no one was prevented from switching allegiance. The law permits this, especially when a party is factionalised, and I have chosen ADC as my new platform.”

Kingibe’s decision to support the ADC platform was made during the unveiling of ADC as part of Nigeria’s opposition coalition in Abuja on July 2. Her participation underscores the fluid dynamics of Nigerian politics, where alliances and support fronts matter just as much as formal party membership.

To dispel any lingering doubts, Ireti Kingibe reaffirmed her loyalty to the Labour Party and clarified that her current actions are in line with political strategy rather than any formal party switch. She continues to serve as a key figure in Nigerian politics, navigating the complex landscape of coalitions and alliances with clarity and purpose.