By Ikpechukwu Ojobor, Enugu
No fewer than 150 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, further strengthening the party’s base across the state.
The defectors, received during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held at the APC state secretariat in Enugu on Saturday, include several notable political figures.
They are former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Peter Okonkwo; LP House of Assembly candidate for Awgu North, Nonso Ochi; PDP aspirant for Awgu South, Onyeka Chukwuedo; PDP House of Reps aspirant from Nkanu West, Chief John Edeh; former Uzo-Uwani Council Chairman, Chief Tony Chigbo; and LP chieftain from Udenu, Emeka Abba.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the party described the development as a sign of growing confidence in the APC.
“The leaders note with excitement that our party has witnessed significant growth with influx of new members in the last one year. The number of new decampees that we received today is evidence of such influx across the local government areas and wards,” it stated.
The stakeholders also endorsed the suspension of Senator Chuka Utazi by his ward and local government chapter for alleged anti-party activities. They mandated the State Executive Committee to ratify the decision and forward it to the party’s zonal leadership.
The meeting further condemned the rising insecurity in parts of the state, particularly in Uzo-Uwani and Isi-Uzo LGAs, accusing the state government of failing in its duty to protect lives and property.
“The party declared that the Peter Mbah-led government has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of citizens of Enugu State… the huge population of the citizens in the rural areas are left at the mercy of killer herdsmen and other criminals,” the communiqué read.
The party applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, for attracting federal projects and job opportunities to the state. It also acknowledged his welfare support, including the distribution of rice to members during Easter and over 600 bags of fertilizer to farmers in 2024.
The stakeholders mocked the recent resignation claim by former APC state chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, describing it as laughable.
“The stakeholders received with amusement the news of the purported resignation of the expelled former state chairman. One cannot be resigning from a party that he or she is no longer a member of since 2023,” they stated.
The meeting ended with a pledge of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, urging Ndigbo to back his Renewed Hope Agenda.
