Speaking in a now-viral video, Kingibe explained that the ongoing division within the Labour Party prompted her decision to leave.
She emphasized that her move to ADC was based on constitutional grounds and a desire to be part of a political structure she believes is growing and promising.
“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC. As the senator representing the FCT, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go and collect card. I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” Kingibe said.
When asked about her confidence in the and the opposition coalition it has become a part of, she compared the evolving party to a young child still crawling.
“You wait. We are growing,” she said.
Addressing concerns over the constitutional legality of her defection, Kingibe pointed out that the LP is now sharply divided into two factions, a scenario she said meets the constitutional requirement for switching parties without losing her seat.
“I ask you to please read the constitution. There are two factions clearly of Labour Party; the perfect definition that the constitution gives for somebody to decamp without penalty,” she explained.
She continued: “So you say I should stay in Labour Party. Which faction of do you want me to stay in? There are two clear distinct ones. Even INEC got two sets of results and candidates, though they didn’t accept any. There’s no question about that.”
Kingibe emphasized that she would not have considered leaving the party if the Labour Party had remained united.
“If there were not two distinct factions of Labour Party, I would not presume to decamp, because that is unconstitutional. But there are.”
Her switch comes after her appearance at the unveiling of ADC as the new platform for the opposition coalition in Abuja on July 2, where several other prominent political figures were also in attendance.
