In Ebonyi State, prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have made the switch to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Those who have joined the APC include Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, a former member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and a former governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections, as well as former Senator Sylvanus Nguji Ngele, who was also a member of the PDP National Working Committee.
The defection ceremony occurred at Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters Nkaliki last Saturday.
During the event, Hon. Ogbaga and Senator Ngele, both significant figures in the PDP, highlighted their decision to leave the party. They cited the PDP’s failure to produce a governor from Izzi clan, a feat accomplished by the APC, in adherence to Ebonyi State’s existing charter of equity, as their main reason for defecting.
They emphasized that they chose to align with the ruling party due to the governance principles of the current administration led by Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, which is centered on addressing the needs of the people of Ebonyi State.
Upon welcoming the defectors, key stakeholders and members of the APC family, including Chief Matthew Uguru, the APC National Treasurer, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the APC State Chairman, Hon. Stephen Nwogba, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Paulinus Atam, and others, praised their decision and urged them to obtain their membership cards at their respective wards.
Last Monday, April 29, 2024, during a visit by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, some influential PDP members in Abakaliki Local Government, such as Hon. Victor Nwoke, the representative of Abakaliki North in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, also switched to the APC.