In a major political realignment, over 1,000 members of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the weekend, marking what party leaders described as a historic shift in the state’s political landscape.
Leading the defection was Hon. Sunday Umeha, the House of Representatives member for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, who formally left the Labour Party for the APC during a mini-rally held in Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South Local Government Area.
Umeha explained that his appearance at the rally — outside his own constituency — was in solidarity with his close associate, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, a prominent businessman and major LP financier in Igboeze South. Ogbonna, popularly known as “Father Father,” spearheaded the defection of more than 1,000 Labour Party members, including the entire local government structure of the party.
Umeha stated that he had already registered with the APC in his ward and would hold a formal declaration rally in his Ezeagu LGA in the coming days. Citing persistent internal crises within the LP at both national and state levels, he said the move to the APC would better connect his people to the federal center and unlock developmental opportunities.
“I joined the APC because we need to plug into the center. The party has delivered more tangible results in the Southeast than the PDP ever did,” Umeha said, listing key federal infrastructure projects like the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Second Niger Bridge as achievements under the APC-led government.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and APC leader in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji — represented by his 2023 governorship running mate, Barr. George Ogara — hailed the defection as unprecedented.
“This turnout of credible grassroots leaders has never been witnessed before. We must remain united because everyone will benefit when victory is achieved,” Ogara said.
Enugu State APC Chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, who officially received the defectors, said the party was now well-positioned to challenge the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has ruled the state for over two decades.
He accused the PDP-led government of imposing harsh taxes, demolishing livelihoods, and neglecting the people. “Today marks a total collapse of the Labour Party’s structure in Igboeze South. I hand you the broom — the symbol of our party. With it, we will sweep in good governance and sweep out those who have held Enugu hostage for 26 years,” Agballah declared.
He also thanked Barr. Peter Okonkwo, an APC chieftain from Nsukka, for donating a campaign office and helping facilitate the defection.
“We are reviving the vision of our founding fathers. APC is the Zion train that will take Enugu to its promised land,” he said, emphasizing the party’s preparedness to reclaim the Lion Building, Enugu’s seat of power, in 2027.
On behalf of the defectors, Chief Ogbonna described attempts by political opponents to block their movement, including the seizure of their transport buses. Despite the challenges, he said the people’s determination prevailed.
“We came on motorcycles if we had to — over 1,000 of us. From today, the work begins in Igboeze South. It will be a ward-by-ward mobilization. We’re in this to win,” he vowed.