APGA Denies Expelling Abaribe, Says Senator Quit on His Own

The All Progressives Grand Alliance in Abia State has stated that the senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, was not expelled from the party but chose to resign from his membership in December 2025.

The clarification was made by the state leadership of the party in response to claims that the lawmaker had been removed from the party.

The chairman of APGA in Abia State, Sunday Onukwubiri, explained that the senator had earlier been suspended by the party in September 2025 before later submitting a resignation letter. According to him, the letter was delivered on December 30, 2025, to the chairman of Ahiaba Ward 5 in Obingwa Local Government Area.

Onukwubiri said the lawmaker has not taken part in the party’s activities since the time he stepped down from membership. He also questioned the claim that the senator had been expelled from the party, noting that the existence of a resignation letter contradicted such a claim.

He explained that a person who has already been expelled would not need to submit a letter to leave the organisation months later.

The party chairman also stated that APGA remains stable both in Abia State and across the country, adding that there is no internal dispute affecting the party’s operations. He described the party as calm and orderly compared to many other political organisations in the country.

He further explained that after the suspension was placed on Abaribe, the party expected him to respond or seek clarification from the leadership, but no response was received.

According to him, party members who face disciplinary action are usually given the opportunity to explain their actions, but the senator did not take that step before eventually leaving the party.

Onukwubiri added that even before the suspension was issued, the party leadership had written to the senator earlier in 2025. The communication reportedly reminded him that since assuming his position, he had not convened meetings with party leaders at different levels, including those within his senatorial zone.

The party leadership had requested that he organise such meetings to discuss the progress and direction of the party within the area he represents. However, the request was not carried out before the suspension and eventual resignation occurred.

In another development, APGA earlier released a statement through its state publicity secretary, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, alleging that some individuals believed to be close to the senator had recently contacted former members of the party. According to the party, the individuals were said to be attempting to obtain a letter on his behalf.

The party leadership said it became aware of what it described as quiet moves by the senator’s associates within the last two days. The development added another layer to the dispute surrounding the senator’s exit from the party.