Reps member, 5000 members of APGA, PDP defect to APC in Ebonyi 

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

No fewer than five thousand members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, members have at the weekend defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The defectors include the member representing Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency in the national assembly,  Joseph Nwobashi, Kelvin Kenechukwu Okeh a member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, representing Ezza North East state constituency.

Others include; Nnabuife Abara, a former special assistant to Ex-governor Sam Egwu and a staunch member of PDP in Ohaukwu LGA and their loyalist numbering over five thousand according to them.

In their separate reactions, Nwobashi said he is collapsing the structure of his former party, APGA, to APC as a way to support the good works of governor Francis Nwifuru.

He noted further that he defected to APC alongside many executives of the party at the ward, local government and state levels. 

Nwobashi said he joined APC because of the love and respect Governor Francis Nwifuru has for him 

He added that he was happy to rejoin the party, disclosing that he was one of the founding leaders of the APC in  the state.

Responding, Nnabuife Abara said that the governor Francis Nwifuru has done a lot to maintain peace and order in the state, especially in creating five autonomous communities in Ezza/ Effium community.

He stated that the governor don’t need distraction by opposition parties, especially as 2027 general election approaches, adding that he will liase with other prominent stakeholders in Ohaukwu LGA to collapse the structures of other political parties in the state into APC.

Their defections took place at the weekend in Ebiaji, headquarters of Ezza North and Ezziagbo headquarters of Ohaukwu LGAs.

Receiving the defectors into APC,, the state Chairman of the party, Stanley Okoro  Emegha, eulogized them for their bold step and decision to join the party.

He  assured them that their  decisions will bring good tidings to their constituencies.

He noted that the party was large  enough to accommodate everyone who is supportive of the good policies and programmes of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

The APC Chairman charged them to be of good conduct, and to respect those who were in the party before their defections.

In a remark, the Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Council, Ogodo Ali Nomeh, said that the people of Ezza nation has collectively resolved to support governor Nwifuru’s  re-election in 2027.

“Our people have collectively resolved that no Ezza man or woman will contest the 2027 Governorship election in Ebonyi State. Our candidate is Governor Francis Nwifuru.

“These people joining us today are doing so in line with the collective decision of our people. We are still expecting more defectors. I assure you, Mr. Chairman, that what happened in Ezza land in 2023 will not repeat itself. 

“In 2027 we shall give the Governor the kind of votes that had not been witnessed in the history of politics in Ezza land”, he said.

Also, the chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Ikechukwu Odono, said that there will be no opposition in Ohaukwu LGA especially in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

“Other political parties have decided to defect to APC in Ohaukwu LGA. This is because, the governor Francis Nwifuru has done a lot for the people of Ohaukwu. 

“He has ensured the restoration of peace between the people of Ngbo and Agila, a war that has lasted for over one hundred years.

“The governor has restored peace between Alioma- Ezekuna and Effium communities, as such he should be supported to bring greater development to the people of the state” he stated.