Enugu Rep Dumps LP, Joins APC
The member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Umeha, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umeha made the switch during a mini-rally held at Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South Local Government Area over the weekend.
Joining him was a notable businessman and key Labour Party financier in the area, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, popularly known as “Father Father,” who led more than 1,000 LP members— including the party’s entire local government structure—into the APC.
Although the rally took place outside his constituency, Umeha said he attended to show solidarity with his ally, Chief Ogbonna.
He revealed that a formal rally to welcome him into the APC in his own Ezeagu LGA would be held in the coming days.
Umeha explained that he resigned from the LP and registered with the APC in his ward due to the persistent internal crisis rocking the LP at both state and national levels.
He becomes the first elected APC official in Enugu State since the party’s formation in 2014.
Citing the need to “connect to the centre,” Umeha said the APC has done more for the South-East than the PDP, pointing to the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways, as well as the Second Niger Bridge.
Speaking through his former running mate, Barr George Ogara, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, hailed the influx of new members, calling it a sign of grassroots momentum for the APC in Enugu.
“It’s time to reclaim power from those who have used it to oppress the people. The sheer number of defectors here today is unprecedented,” he said.
APC State Chairman, Barr Ugochukwu Agballah, said the party is now primed to unseat the PDP from the Lion Building come 2027.
He accused the PDP of 26 years of bad governance marked by high taxation, land grabs, and demolition of livelihoods.
Agballah praised Barr Peter Okonkwo for donating a campaign office and facilitating the LP collapse in Igboeze South.
“This is a total collapse of LP’s structure. I hand over to you our flag and broom—symbols of our party—signalling a new beginning for Enugu,” he declared.
Speaking on behalf of other defectors, Chief Ogbonna said efforts were made to frustrate their movement, including seizure of hired buses, forcing them to arrive by motorcycle.
“We are more than 1,000 strong today. The work starts now, and Igboeze South won’t be left behind,” he affirmed.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
