The political landscape of Enugu State is experiencing a significant shift as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Over 5,000 members from the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a dramatic display of changing allegiances. This mass defection underscores the evolving political dynamics in the state and signals a potential power shift in the upcoming elections. The defectors were formally welcomed into the APC at a rally in Aku town, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, attended by prominent APC figures, including the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, and the Enugu APC Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, attributed this wave of defections to the growing recognition of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s developmental projects within the state. He emphasized that the people are witnessing tangible progress under the current administration and are choosing to align themselves with the party they believe is actively working for their benefit. However, Nnaji also expressed strong criticism of what he described as the mismanagement of resources and excessive taxation imposed by the state government under Governor Peter Mbah. He argued that these policies have exacerbated economic hardship for the people of Enugu State, citing the exorbitant taxes levied on small-scale traders as a prime example.
Nnaji highlighted the economic challenges facing Enugu State, pointing out its ranking as the second most expensive city in Nigeria. He argued that this high cost of living is a direct consequence of the state government’s burdensome tax policies. He criticized the imposition of daily levies on hawkers and small-scale traders, arguing that these individuals are effectively paying over N100,000 annually in taxes. He contended that if these taxes were properly utilized, they could fund essential services such as free education, improved healthcare, and infrastructure development. Instead, he lamented, the lack of these essential services demonstrates a misallocation of resources.
The minister commended Celestine Attah, a former House of Assembly candidate under APGA, for leading the defection of members from APGA, LP, and PDP in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area to the APC. He pledged to prioritize employment opportunities for young people in the area and to advocate for increased federal infrastructure projects in the state. Nnaji expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to secure victory in the 2027 state elections, emphasizing the party’s renewed strength and unity. He urged the people to support the APC and President Tinubu’s re-election bid, asserting that this would attract more federal appointments and infrastructure development to Enugu State.
Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, the state chairman of APC, echoed the minister’s sentiments, praising President Tinubu’s administration for initiating the reconstruction of the Ninth Mile – Opi – Markudi road, a crucial infrastructure project for the state. He highlighted the long-standing neglect of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area under previous administrations, asserting that the area suffered from a complete collapse of road infrastructure for 26 years. Agballah emphasized that it was only with the emergence of Tinubu’s APC administration that the people of Igbo-Etiti felt truly represented and saw tangible improvements in their infrastructure. He framed the APC as the party that finally addressed the long-neglected needs of the community.
This mass defection to the APC marks a significant turning point in Enugu State politics. The reasons offered by the defectors, coupled with the statements made by prominent APC figures, point to a complex interplay of factors driving this political realignment. The perceived success of President Tinubu’s administration in delivering federal projects, coupled with the criticism of the current state government’s economic policies, has created a fertile ground for the APC to gain traction in Enugu State. Whether this momentum will translate into electoral success in 2027 remains to be seen, but the current political climate suggests a highly competitive and dynamic electoral landscape in the coming years. The defection of over 5,000 members from other parties represents a significant boost to the APC’s presence in the state, and it underscores the growing appeal of the party among a diverse range of voters.
