Four members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, alongside several chieftains of the Labour Party in the state, have defected to the African Democratic Congress.
The lawmakers are the Labour Party caucus leader in the Assembly, Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, Fred Ezenwa, Kingsley Udemezue and Henry Nigeria Mbachu.
They were joined by other party stakeholders loyal to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Also part of the defection are a former Labour Party State Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Barrister Okoli Akirika, Engineer Theo Egbe, as well as a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Lady Harrieta Agbata.
Speaking during the event, Umennajiego said the decision by Obi to move to the ADC would trigger what he described as massive defections in Anambra State and across the South East.
According to him, the development reflects loyalty to Obi’s leadership and political direction.
In his remarks, the convener of the meeting, Barrister Okoli Akirika, said some of the defectors had earlier witnessed similar movements in Enugu State following Obi’s decision to join the ADC.
“Since our leader has joined ADC, we have decided to follow him. Our leader left, so we have to follow him,” Akirika said.
He urged members to return to their various wards to formally register with the ADC, stressing that the party must be strengthened from the grassroots.
He added that the movement was driven by ordinary Nigerians who desired good governance and were determined to prevent the hijacking of the party structure.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by Engineer Theo Egbe stated that the defectors had individually and collectively resigned from the Labour Party in line with Obi’s decision.
Members were advised to liaise with ADC ward leadership for proper registration and full integration into the party.
