This is not the best of times for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Southeast, Nigeria as the party has been hit by gale of defection of its members to other parties.
In Ebonyi State, the virus of defection has infested the members that they have left the PDP in their droves.
According to report, prominent member of the PDP in Ebonyi State defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Among those to leave, are a former member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and former governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga. Also to jump the sinking ship of the PDP is the former Senator and ex-member National Working Committee of the PDP, Sylvanus Nguji Ngele.
The two prominent leaders did not leave just by themselves, they left with the teeming supporters that counted in thousands.
While the PDP are counting their huge losses, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are rejoicing in their gains. It was therefore, a jubilation ceremony that was hosted at the Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters Nkaliki on Saturday. The event was used to welcome the defecting PDP members to the APC.
Speaking at the event, the two bigwigs from the PDP, Hon. Ogbaga and Senator Ngele gave their reasons for leaving PDP. They jointly stated that their major reason for dumping the PDP was that the party was unable to produce a governor from Izzi clan. But, the feat was achieved by the APC, in line with the existing Charter of Equity in Ebonyi State.
The duo political heavy weights gave the present administration led by Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, as reason for their defection. They the election of Nwifuru was anchored on the people’s charter of needs, therefore, their reason to join him. They pledge to join forces with the ruling party to bring more dividends of democracy to the people of Ebonyi State.
Those on hand to recieve the decamping PDP members were some critical stakeholders and members of the APC, Ebonyi State Chapter.
Among those present at the event included the APC National Treasurer, Chief Matthew Uguru, and the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha. Others are the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Stephen Nwogba and the APC Local Government Chairman, Hon. Paulinus Atam. Also present are the former Chairman Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Hon. Matthew Nwobashi among others.
Speaking on behalf of the party Uguru commended the defectors on their bold steps. He, however, encouraged them to go to their various wards to obtain their membership cards.
Recall that some highly placed members of the PDP in Abakaliki LGA had before the recent defection decamped to APC. Among those that joined the APC included the member representing Abakaliki North in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Nwoke. Nwoke and his group were received into the APC family last Monday, 29th April, 2024.
Recall that the former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, alongside other PDP chieftains left the party in April.
