In a significant political development, prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State have officially crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection ceremony, which marked the joining of key figures from the PDP ranks, including former federal lawmaker Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga and former Senator Sylvanus Nguji Ngele, took place at the Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters in Nkaliki on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Ogbaga and Senator Ngele cited the failure of the PDP to produce a governor from the Izzi clan as a primary reason for their defection. They highlighted the APC’s success in achieving this goal, in accordance with Ebonyi State’s charter of equity.
They expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, praising his administration’s commitment to meeting the needs of the people and delivering tangible development projects. This, they stated, motivated their decision to align with the ruling party to enhance the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Ebonyi State.
Welcoming the defectors into the APC fold, key stakeholders and members of the progressive family, including APC National Treasurer Chief Matthew Uguru, APC State Chairman Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, and other dignitaries, commended their bold move. They urged them to engage with their respective wards to obtain APC membership cards and fully integrate into the party structure.
It is worth noting that this defection follows a similar trend in Abakaliki Local Government, where high-profile PDP members, including Hon. Victor Nwoke, Ebonyi State House of Assembly representative for Abakaliki North, joined the APC family during a recent visit by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, on April 29, 2024.
