By: Sunday Ameh
In a major political realignment, all members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas formally announced the development during Thursday’s plenary session after reading letters from the lawmakers, who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State was present in the chamber to witness the announcement.
The lawmakers cited lingering internal disputes within the opposition parties as part of their reasons for the move.
Following the 2023 general elections, Labour Party held seven out of the eight federal seats from Enugu, while the PDP retained one. With this defection, the APC has now taken full control of the state’s representation in the lower chamber.
Speaking to journalists after the session, the spokesperson for the defecting lawmakers and member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Nnolim Nnaji, said the decision was driven by a strategic need to align with Governor Mbah’s administration and attract federal development to the state.
“Enugu can no longer stand on the sidelines,” Nnaji said. “Our governor is implementing transformational programmes, and aligning with the APC places our state at the heart of national decision-making. This move is in the best interest of our people.”
He added that the shift would open opportunities for infrastructure growth, youth empowerment, and economic development in Enugu State.
Other lawmakers involved in the defection include Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, and Mark Obetta. In a similar move, the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Asama, also left the Labour Party for the APC.
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