By Deborah Nnamdi
Five members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State on Thursday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises and leadership disputes within the PDP.
Their defection took place during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and was witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, who himself joined the APC two weeks earlier.
Those who crossed over to the ruling party are Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South), Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River), Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu), Hon. Oke Martins (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani), and Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West).
In their letters read on the floor of the House, the lawmakers said unresolved factional divisions had crippled the PDP’s structure in Enugu and rendered it incapable of effective opposition. They added that their decision followed extensive consultations with their constituents, who urged them to align with the APC to foster development in their communities.
Hon. Obetta, formerly the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, lamented that the PDP’s leadership crisis had “crippled the party’s internal cohesion and democratic values.”
Speaker Abbas congratulated the defectors, while APC National Chairman Yilwatda and Governor Mbah formally welcomed them to what they described as “the most progressive political family in Africa.”
Similarly, Hon. Daniel Asama (Jos North/Bassa, Plateau State) announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC, citing leadership disputes and parallel party structures.
The latest defections bring the total number of Enugu lawmakers now in the APC to eight, following earlier moves by Hon. Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi Uzo), Hon. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), and Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu (Enugu North/South).
Governor Mbah, reacting to the wave of defections, described the shift as a “collective decision” by Enugu’s political family—including 17 local government chairmen, 260 councillors, 24 state lawmakers, National Assembly members, and over 80 percent of PDP executives—to align with the APC.
“After much reflection, we chose to stand with a federal platform that reflects our vision for development,” Mbah said. “For years, Enugu showed loyalty to the PDP, but our voices were often ignored. This move is about fairness, transparency, and progress for our people.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his reform-driven leadership, saying the APC offers Enugu and the South-East a stronger voice in Nigeria’s development agenda.
“President Tinubu has shown the courage to make difficult choices for lasting prosperity. This move is not about politics but about ensuring Enugu’s rightful place in the national reform agenda,” Mbah added.
