The entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mass defection was formally announced on Thursday during plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ resignation letters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). The event, which marked a major victory for the APC ahead of 2026 political alignments, was witnessed by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.
The lawmakers cited deep internal crises within their former parties as the main reason for their defection, accusing both the PDP and Labour Party of failing to resolve leadership disputes and ideological conflicts that have weakened their structures.
Before Thursday’s development, the Labour Party had controlled seven of the eight House of Representatives seats from Enugu State, while the PDP held one. The defection now gives the APC total dominance of the Enugu caucus in the lower chamber, a first in the state’s political history.
Speaking to journalists after the announcement, Nnolim Nnaji, who represents Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, said the lawmakers’ decision was driven by their desire to align with Governor Mbah’s “project-oriented administration” and to bring Enugu into closer collaboration with the federal government.
“Just come to Enugu and see what is happening there. The governor is doing a lot for our people,” Nnaji said. “We want our state to be part of the national transformation. For too long, Enugu has remained in opposition, watching from the sidelines as others shaped the destiny of our nation. That era is over.”
Read Also:
- APC unveils 2025 congress schedule with revised nomination fees
- EU demands answers from Snapchat, YouTube, others on child protection
- Wizkid’s mysterious Snapchat post sparks fresh speculation over Burna Boy rivalry
Nnaji described the defection as “a bold step into the future” and a conscious effort to reposition Enugu for growth, emphasizing that joining the APC would connect their constituencies to the “heartbeat of national development.” He expressed optimism that the move would attract more federal projects, job opportunities, and infrastructure development to the state.
“This decision wasn’t made on impulse,” he added. “It comes from deep reflection and a burning desire to see our people rise above limits and take their rightful place in the national spotlight.”
Those who defected alongside Nnaji include Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, and Mark Obetta, among others. In a related development, Daniel Asama, who represents Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency in Plateau State, also announced his defection from the Labour Party to the APC.
The mass defection underscores the ruling party’s expanding influence in traditionally opposition-leaning states and signals a shift in political momentum ahead of the next election cycle.
