Barely 48 hours after a political shakeup that saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Enugu State decamp en masse to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu East Local Government Area, Afam Joseph Ogbene, has resigned from the party along with all ward executives and joined the APC.
Ogbene announced at the Umuchigbo Iji-Nike Civic Centre, where he addressed APC leaders and a large crowd of supporters who also switched allegiance to the ruling party.
In his speech, Ogbene said his decision was inspired by the foresight and purposeful leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, who officially defected from the PDP to the APC earlier in the week.
He described the move as a “difficult but necessary” step, aligning with his desire to support Governor Mbah’s developmental vision for Enugu State.
“Today, I announce my decision to resign as Chairman of the Labour Party in Enugu East and to withdraw my membership of the party,” Ogbene stated.
“This decision was not made lightly, considering the sacrifices we made in building the party. However, internal crises and sabotage from within made progress impossible. After wide consultations with my family, friends, and supporters, I decided to join the APC in solidarity with Governor Mbah’s transformational leadership.”
Ogbene revealed that his supporters and ward executives also resolved to move to the APC, pledging their loyalty to the governor’s developmental agenda.
“We are committed to supporting His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, of our free will. We believe in his capacity to deliver and are not considering any alternative in 2027,” he declared.
Receiving Ogbene and his team on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, hailed the defection as “a total collapse of the Labour Party in Enugu East.”
“What we are witnessing today is historic — the first total collapse of the Labour Party in any local government in Enugu State,” Ogbodo said. “The massive turnout here today shows your credibility and influence. It is time for Ndigbo to join the mainstream of national politics where power and opportunities are shared.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, welcomed Ogbene into the APC fold, describing the event as a milestone achievement.
“The collapse of the Labour Party in Enugu East is indeed a thing of joy and a testimony to the growing strength of the APC in Enugu State,” he said.
