A prominent Labour Party (LP) chieftain in Anambra State and the Head of Logistics for the party’s 2023 presidential campaign, Chief Fabian Ozoigbo, has officially resigned his membership and declared his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing a press conference in Awka on Wednesday, Ozoigbo stated that his decision was influenced by what he described as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “unexpected success” in stabilizing the Nigerian economy following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“As a member of the opposition, I had expected the economy to collapse irretrievably after the removal of fuel subsidy, but the economy is still running—though with hardship—which is a puzzle to me,” Ozoigbo told journalists.
He added, “I have decided to come close to the government that is holding this economy to observe and take part in this surprising phenomenon. My goal is to be part of a new Nigeria that is possible with positive policies that will turn the economy around. Since the economy has not collapsed and there are signs of recovery, I want to be part of this economic miracle.”
Ozoigbo also described his defection as timely, coming ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election. He threw his weight behind APC candidate Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, whom he praised as a grassroots politician with a track record of philanthropy.
“APC in recent times threw up a Trojan horse in the person of Prince Nicolas Ukachukwu as their candidate,” Ozoigbo said. “His emergence is a clarion call for all men of goodwill and good conscience to gather together and make the point that Anambra is not for only rich people, but for both the rich and the poor.”
Commenting on the 2023 general elections, the former LP strategist criticized the internal distrust within the Labour Party, noting that the party’s legal challenge against the presidential election result lacked consistency.
“It’s regrettable that with all the claims to victory, Labour Party still relied on the same INEC result it discredited to prove its case in court. That contradiction partly explains why the case failed,” he remarked.
Chief Ozoigbo’s defection is seen as a significant gain for the APC as it intensifies efforts to strengthen its presence in Anambra State ahead of the crucial gubernatorial election.
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