In Post-election Defection Abia APC Gains Scores of PDP Members in Ukwa West

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Six months after the conclusion of the 2023 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost over 100 members in Ukwa West to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defections were sparked by the new lease of life being experienced by the oil bearing communities of Asa land as the ruling party at the centre has given the Abia oil producing area a high sense of belonging.

At a ceremony held yesterday at the party’s secretariat at Obehie, the Chairman of Ukwa West APC, Hon. Uju Kenneth Nwarie, received the defectors drawn from five out of the 10 wards of the council.

He said that he was happy that their Asa people in rival parties have started to embrace what “we have been preaching about” that APC means well for Abia’s oil producing area.

According to him, the appointment of Dimgba Eruba from Ukwa West to represent Abia State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is a sign of more good things to come.

Nwarie urged all the APC ward chairmen in Ukwa to embrace the new members and integrate them into the party, adding that every privilege enjoyed by the old party members should be extended to them.

In his remarks, the NDCC Commissioner and leader of APC in Ukwa, Chief Eruba charged party members to remain steadfast and loyal to the party, saying that “the harvest time is near”.

He urged them to show more commitment in party activities, pleading to do his best to support the Ukwa West APC to remain strong and relevant.

While welcoming the new members into the APC family, the party leader further advised them to be loyal to the leadership of the party and spread the good news of APC to others waiting to come over.

“Our hands are wide open to accept anyone who genuinely wants to be part of the progressives,” he said.

The defectors were brought into Ukwa West APC by their leaders from the various wards, including Emmanuel Nwankwo (Ogwe Ward), Chikezie Nwaobia (Asa North), and Eze Esinwa, (Asa South).

Other notable leaders from the wards were Chief Onyebuchi Ogidi (Ipu East Ward), Ogbonnaya Ikechukwu (Asa South),

Nwachinemere Okechukwu (Obokwe), and Anyam C. Anyams (Ogwe Ward).

In their respective remarks the leaders of the defected groups expressed gratitude for being accepted into the family of progressives in a party which is piloting the affairs of the nation.