In a show of political strength and growing momentum for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Thursday, stormed the National Assembly as six members of the House of Representatives formally defected to the APC during plenary.
Five of the lawmakers, all from Enugu State, announced their exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while one lawmaker from Plateau State dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the APC.
The defecting Enugu legislators include Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency), Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency), Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency), Martins Oke (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency), and Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency).
They were joined by Daniel Asama, representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, who also announced his defection from the Labour Party.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read their letters of defection and formally welcomed them to the ruling party amid applause and cheers from APC lawmakers.
In their letters, the defecting lawmakers cited “protracted and irreconcilable crises” within their former political parties as the reason for their move, stressing that the internal divisions had crippled effective representation and governance.
Speaker Abbas hailed the lawmakers for their decision, saying they had “taken the right step in the right direction.”
“You have taken the right decision by joining the ruling party. We welcome you warmly to the APC family,” Abbas declared, drawing enthusiastic approval from the majority members.
The mass defection comes just weeks after Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State formally joined the APC, signaling a wave of political realignment across the South-East. His presence at the House of Representatives on Thursday, alongside APC National Chairman Yilwatda, underscored the party’s renewed influence and growing presence in the region.
