Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) member, representing Ohafia South State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Uchendu announced this at the state headquarters of the PDP along St. Finbarrs Road, Umuahia the state capital citing alleged crises at all levels of his former party as his reasons for defection.
He said with the support of majority of the people of the constituency and members of his foundation, he wants to join hands with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the PDP to move the state forward.
The lawmaker, who described his defection as a reunion with his old party, scores of friends and supporters, assured of his zeal to ensure victory for the party in the constituency in 2019.
His defection has reduced APGA’s membership in the 24-member House from eight to seven following a similar step by his colleague of Aba South State, Hon Clinton Ebere a month ago.
At the end of the 2015 general election, the House membership was 13 to 11 in favor of the PDP, but the APGA had been hit by election result reversals by elections petition tribunals and defections.
Speaking on the occasion after receiving the lawmaker, the Chairman of the chapter, Chief Johnson Onuigbo commended him for the decision, assuring him of the support of the members.
He said just like the party had assured the governor a second term ticket for 2019, it would extend similar gesture to him if he delivered on his election promises to his constituents.
Thisage recalls that while reacting to rumors of impending defection by some House members of the party, a member of its Board of Trustees (BoT) Dr. David Onuoha-Bourdex has condemned the move.
Bourex, who was the party’s candidate for Abia North Senatorial District has said they should to know that the electorate are watching them, appealing to them not to bite the fingers that fed them.
He said, “The truth of the matter is that if you defect from a party to another, you are not very likely to carry all your supporters with you to the new party, some will refuse to go with you.”
