The political landscape of Enugu State experienced a significant shift as Hon. Sunday Umeha, a sitting member of the House of Representatives representing the Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move, punctuated by a mini-rally held in Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South local government area, saw Umeha joined by over 1,000 LP members, including key local government structures, led by prominent LP financier, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, also known as “Father Father.” Umeha clarified that while this rally demonstrated solidarity with Ogbonna, a personal friend, a formal defection rally within his constituency was forthcoming. His departure from the LP, marked by his official resignation and registration with the APC at his ward, was attributed to irreconcilable internal divisions at both state and national levels within the LP.
Umeha’s decision to align with the ruling APC was further motivated by a desire to connect his constituency with the federal government, emphasizing the potential advantages and access to resources this connection could bring. He highlighted the APC’s contributions to the Igbo region, citing infrastructure projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway, and the 2nd Niger Bridge as evidence of the party’s commitment to the region’s development. This move, according to Umeha, is in the best interest of his constituents and reflects a strategic alignment with a party he believes has demonstrated tangible commitment to the Southeast.
The defection was met with enthusiasm from the APC leadership in Enugu State. Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and a leading figure in the state’s APC, expressed his satisfaction with the influx of prominent figures into the party. Represented by his former running mate, Mr. George Ogara, Nnaji emphasized the significance of the defections as a signal of the party’s growing momentum. He called for continued dedication and unity, assuring party members that they would all benefit from the eventual victory they anticipated.
Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, the Enugu State Chairman of the APC, welcomed the defectors and proclaimed the party’s readiness to challenge the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for control of the state government in the 2027 elections. Agballah criticized the PDP’s 26-year rule, accusing them of inflicting hardship on the populace through excessive taxation, land grabbing, and the demolition of livelihoods for projects such as motor parks, which he argued should be the responsibility of local governments. He further commended Peter Okonkwo, an APC chieftain from Nsukka, for donating the Enugu North Senatorial Zonal Campaign Office and contributing to the dismantling of the LP structure in Igboeze South.
Agballah described the defection as unprecedented in the state’s political history, highlighting the complete collapse of the LP structure in Igboeze South, with even the local government chairmanship candidate joining the exodus to the APC. He presented the defectors with the party’s flag and broom, symbolizing the sweeping changes they intended to bring to Enugu State. He reiterated the APC’s determination to wrest power from the PDP in 2027, promising a new era of good governance and democratic principles.
Chief Joshua Ogbonna, speaking on behalf of the defectors from Igboeze South, underscored their resolve despite facing obstacles, including the seizure of buses intended to transport them to the rally. Undeterred, they resorted to commercial motorcycles, demonstrating their commitment to joining the APC. Ogbonna emphasized that this was just the beginning of their efforts, promising a ward-to-ward mobilization within Igboeze South, ensuring that their local government would be a key player in the APC’s push for power in Enugu State. This mass defection signals a potential recalibration of political forces in the state, setting the stage for a potentially intense contest in the upcoming 2027 gubernatorial elections.
