Hon. Sunday Umeha, a sitting member of the House of Representatives has left the Labour Party (LP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umeha, who currently represents Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, made the announcement during a political gathering at Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South Local Government Area on Saturday.
During the event, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, a well-known businessman and strong financial backer of the Labour Party in the region, also officially defected to APC. Chief Ogbonna, popularly referred to as “Father Father,” led a group of over 1,000 LP members, including local executives and grassroots supporters, in the defection.
Though the rally was held outside his own constituency, Hon. Umeha explained his presence was to show support for his friend, Chief Ogbonna. He said that another event to formally welcome him into the APC would soon take place in Ezeagu, his own local government.
Speaking on the reasons behind his defection, Umeha said he had already resigned from LP and registered with APC at his ward.
He noted the persistent internal conflicts within LP both at the national and state levels as a major reason for his move. He also shared that joining APC was necessary to “connect to the center” and ensure his constituents benefitted more from federal-level projects and opportunities.
Umeha stated, “There are a lot of advantages in plugging to the center,” and pointed to several federal infrastructure projects like the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways, as well as the Second Niger Bridge, as achievements under the APC government that have benefited the South-East.
Speaking on behalf of the APC leadership, Mr. George Ogara, who represented the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, welcomed the new members. Ogara said he was pleased by the growing number of respected individuals joining the party, adding that it showed APC’s growing influence in Enugu.
“It’s indeed time for us to come together to retrieve power from those who have been using it to oppress the people,” he said, calling for unity and perseverance among party members.
Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, the APC Chairman in Enugu State, described the mass defection as historic. He noted that the Labour Party’s entire structure in Igboeze South had collapsed into the APC. He praised Peter Okonkwo, an APC chieftain from Nsukka, for donating a campaign office and helping facilitate the defection.
Agballah added, “With this broom, we are going to sweep in good governance in Enugu state… APC Enugu state is poised to take over the government of Enugu come 2027.”
In his speech, Chief Ogbonna revealed that some opponents tried to prevent the defection by seizing the buses hired to transport their supporters. However, the determined group used commercial motorcycles to reach the venue.
“We are more than 1,000 who defected to APC today… I’m assuring you that Igboeze South will not come last,” he said, signaling the start of intense grassroots mobilization by the APC in the area.
