By Jude Opara, Abuja
The gale of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in parts of the country continued over the weekend with prominent members of the party in Ebonyi State defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors include; a former member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and former governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, former Senator and ex-member National Working Committee of the PDP, Sylvanus Nguji Ngele and other executive members of the party.
The defection took place at a ceremony on Saturday in Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters Nkaliki.
Speaking at the event, Hon.Ogbaga and Senator Ngele noted that their major reason for dumping the PDP was that the party was unable to produce a governor from Izzi clan, which APC has been able to achieve, in line with the existing charter of equity in Ebonyi State.
They stated that the present administration led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, anchored on people’s charter of needs, was the main reason to join forces with the ruling party to bring more dividends of democracy to the people of Ebonyi State.
Receiving the defectors, the APC stakeholders led by the National Treasurer, Chief Matthew Uguru, the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Stephen Nwogba, the APC Local Government Chairman, Hon. Paulinus Atam, the former Chairman Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Hon. Matthew Nwobashi among others, commended the defectors on their bold steps and encouraged them to go to their various wards to obtain their membership cards.
It could be recalled that some highly placed members of the PDP in Abakaliki Local Government, including the member representing Abakaliki North in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon.Victor Nwoke were received into the APC family last Monday, 29th April, 2024, during the visit of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru.
