African Democratic Congress prolonged legal battles within the ADC. (ADC) was effectively “dead,” following Presiding over proceedings, the Senate a wave of defections by lawmakers aban - President, in a mix of humour and concern, doning the party amid internal turmoil. suggested that the steady stream of defections Akpabio made the remark during had rendered the party politically irrelevant. • Akpabio plenary shortly after the Senate formally He urged lawmakers to adopt a more co- announced fresh defections, including Continued on pg.2