Mass Defections Rock Labour Party and PDP as Lawmakers, Thousands Join APC

The political landscape in Enugu and Jigawa States witnessed a significant shake-up over the weekend, as key lawmakers and thousands of party members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In Enugu State, the member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Umeha, officially announced his defection from the Labour Party to the ruling APC during a mini-rally in Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South Local Government Area.

Umeha, who becomes the first APC-elected lawmaker in Enugu since 2014, said his move was influenced by the “intractable divisions” within the LP at both state and national levels. He cited the need to “connect to the centre” and bring developmental benefits to his constituents as part of his reasons for joining the APC.

At the rally, prominent businessman and LP financier in the area, Chief Joshua Ogbonna (popularly known as ‘Father Father’), led over 1,000 LP members, including the local government’s entire party structure, into the APC.

Umeha noted that a major rally in Ezeagu to formally mark his defection is forthcoming. He also confirmed he had registered with the APC in his ward.

The APC’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, represented by his 2023 running mate, George Ogara, described the wave of defections as a sign of the party’s growing strength in Enugu. The APC State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, declared the party was gearing up to take over the state’s Lion Building in 2027.

Meanwhile, in Jigawa State, Governor Umar Namadi welcomed over 3,000 defectors from the PDP and NNPP into the APC during the state’s Citizens Engagement Programme, “Gwamnati da Jamaa,” held at the state sports complex in Dutse.

The governor, buoyed by the defections across Dutse, Birnin Kudu, Buji, and other local government areas, declared that opposition lawmakers representing the zones should “start counting their days” in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Namadi conveyed a message from President Bola Tinubu, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to major infrastructure projects in the state, including the ongoing Greater Dutse Water Project, the Kano-Dutse-Damagaram railway, and the re-awarded Kano-Shuwari Road project.

The governor praised the APC’s growing popularity in Jigawa Southwest, attributing it to public satisfaction with the government’s performance.

These coordinated defections signal a strategic consolidation by the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, as the ruling party strengthens its grassroots presence and absorbs influential figures from opposition parties.