By Tony Okafor, Awka
Four members of the Anambra State House of Assembly and scores of other members of the Labour Party (LP) in the state, loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, on Saturday defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The lawmakers who defected are the LP caucus leader in the Assembly, Hon Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, Hon Fred Ezenwa, Hon Kingsley Udemezue and Hon Henry Nigeria Mbachu.
Several party chieftains also joined the defection, including former LP State Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Barrister Okoli Akirika and Engineer Theo Egbe, as well as a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Harrieta Agbata.
Speaking at the event, Umennajiego said the defections that would follow Obi’s decision to join the ADC would be “humongous and tremendous” in Anambra State and across the South-East.
He described the movement as a clear demonstration of loyalty to Obi’s leadership and political direction.
In his opening remarks, the convener of the meeting, Barrister Okoli Akirika, said some of the defectors were present in Enugu State and witnessed similar developments following Obi’s move to the ADC.
“Since our leader has joined ADC, we have decided to follow him. Our leader left, so we have to follow him,” he said.
Akirika urged members to return to their respective wards to formally register with the ADC, stressing the need to build the party from the grassroots.
He described the development as a mass movement driven by Nigerians themselves, noting that the goal was to engender good governance and prevent the hijacking of the party structure.
The communiqué of the meeting was read by Engineer Theo Egbe, former LP State Publicity Secretary, who announced that the defectors had individually and collectively resigned from the Labour Party in line with Obi’s decision.
He urged members to approach their ADC ward leaderships for proper registration and integration into the party.
