Ireti Kingibe Denies Defection from Labour Party

Ireti Kingibe Denies Defection from Labour Party.
She says her coalition event attendance does not mean defection.
Kingibe insists she remains committed to FCT and LP values.

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has firmly denied reports alleging her defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), labelling the claims as “false, inaccurate, and a complete fabrication.”

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in an interview with The Whistler on Saturday, Kingibe clarified that she remains a loyal member of the Labour Party, despite her recent appearance at an opposition coalition event where the ADC was adopted as the unified platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I’m still in the Labour Party. Any report that I have dumped the Labour Party is false, inaccurate, and a complete fabrication,” she declared.

The event, which sparked speculation, was attended by top political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai (SDP), former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi (APC), and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The coalition saw the appointment of former Senate President David Mark (PDP) and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola (APC) as interim National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC, respectively.

Kingibe’s presence at the event triggered reports that she had also switched allegiance, especially after a quote was attributed to her claiming commitment to the ADC. She, however, dismissed the reports, stating that her comments were misrepresented and taken out of context.

“I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” she said, referring to the process of changing party membership, if that time ever comes. “As the senator representing the FCT, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card.”

She reiterated her loyalty to the Labour Party and her focus on serving her constituents, stating, “We, including Mr Peter Obi and others, are still in the Labour Party. My commitment to serving the people of the FCT remains unchanged.”