Five members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday.
Their defection, which took place during a plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.
This came barely two weeks after Governor Mbah defected to the APC.
Those who joined the APC are Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta, representing Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency; Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency; Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo, representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
Hon. Oke Martins, representing Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency; and Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency.
In their separate letters read on the floor of the House, the lawmakers cited prolonged internal crises, unresolved leadership disputes, and factional divisions within the PDP as reasons for leaving.
They said their decision followed extensive consultations with constituents who urged them to align with the APC to enhance effective representation and attract development to their areas.
Obetta, who until his defection was the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, said the PDP’s persistent leadership crisis had crippled its internal cohesion.
Speaker Abbas congratulated the defectors, while the APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, and Governor Mbah formally welcomed them to what they described as the most progressive political family in Africa.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Daniel Asama, representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, also announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.
He said his decision followed the prolonged leadership crisis and existence of parallel structures within the party.
Their defection adds to earlier ones by Hon. Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi Uzo), Hon. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), and Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu (Enugu North/South), bringing the total number of Enugu lawmakers now in the APC to eight.
The Guardian reported that Mbah, who recently defected to the APC, described the move as a “collective decision” by the political family in Enugu, including all 17 local council chairmen, 260 councillors, 24 members of the state House of Assembly, National Assembly members, and over 80 per cent of PDP executives.
“We thought carefully about the path forward,” he said. “After much soul-searching, we concluded that we must stand for principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all, the people we serve.”
He said Enugu’s long loyalty to the PDP had yielded little benefit for the state and the South-East region. “For decades, we stood by the PDP, showing loyalty and patience, but our voices were often disregarded when it mattered most. We are confident of our future in the APC; we move not from fear or resentment, but from conviction and fairness.” Mbah added that the switch was not about personal ambition but about aligning with “a federal platform that reflects our development vision.”
“President Tinubu has shown the courage to make hard choices that ensure lasting prosperity. Our visions align, that roads, railways, and industries must connect the South-East with the rest of Nigeria. This move is bigger than politics; it is about Enugu’s place in the national reform agenda,” he said.
