Five Enugu Lawmakers Defect from PDP to APC

Five members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers, Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South), Hon. Engr. 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), announced their defection during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Their decision to join the APC came barely two weeks after Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, also dumped the PDP for the ruling party. The defection was witnessed by Governor Mbah and APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who were both present in the chamber.

In separate letters read on the floor of the House, the lawmakers cited prolonged internal crises, unresolved leadership tussles, and persistent factional divisions within the PDP as reasons for their defection. They said their move followed extensive consultations with constituents who encouraged them to align with the APC to enhance representation and bring more development to their constituencies.

Hon. Obetta, who was the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, described the PDP’s leadership crisis as “crippling and unsustainable,” adding that the party had lost its sense of direction.

Speaker Abbas congratulated the defectors, while Dr. Yilwatda and Governor Mbah formally welcomed them into what they described as “the most progressive political family in Africa.”

Similarly, Hon. Daniel Asama, representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency in Plateau State, also announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC, citing leadership conflicts and the existence of parallel party structures.

With the latest defections, eight out of Enugu’s representatives in the House are now members of the APC. Earlier defectors include Hon. Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi Uzo), Hon. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), and Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu (Enugu North/South).

Governor Mbah, who recently led a major political realignment in Enugu, said the mass movement to the APC was a “collective decision” involving all 17 local government chairmen, 260 councillors, 24 state legislators, several National Assembly members, and over 80 percent of PDP executives in the state.

He explained that the decision was driven by a shared vision for development and inclusion at the federal level. “For years, Enugu remained loyal to the PDP, but our people were often neglected. We believe our future lies in the APC, a platform that aligns with our development agenda and offers real opportunities for progress,” Mbah said.

He added that President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms inspired confidence in his leadership. “This move is not about politics or ambition,” he said. “It is about securing Enugu’s place in the national transformation agenda, where infrastructure, industry, and innovation connect our state with the rest of Nigeria.”