HON. ALEX IKWECHEGH JOINS LABOUR PARTY, COMMENDS GOV. OTTI’S ACHIEVEMENTS

The member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has officially defected to Labour Party (LP) having dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Hon. Ikwechegh disclosed this on Tuesday evening, in an interview with journalists, after a closed door meeting with Governor Alex Otti at the Governor’s Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, hometown.


He explained that his visit to the Governor was to inform him formally about his decision to join the Labour Party and to receive his blessings as the national leader of the party.

“I visited the Governor this evening to receive his blessings as you may or may not know, I have received my Labour Party Card as a new member of the party,”Ikwechegh stated.


The federal lawmaker, who disclosed that he had resigned from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before joining the Labour Party, also dismissed reports and rumours making the rounds that he has joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) following his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

He explained that he only attended an Iftar event hosted by the President and that the visit should not be misconstrued as a defection.

“There has been speculations that after my meeting with the President that I joined the APC. This is not true.

“We went to observe the Iftar with the president to wine and dine with him and I appreciate him for that fatherly gesture.

‘I do not have anything against my brothers and sisters that have decided to join the APC or the City Boys group.

“What I would say is that politics is about interest and I stand before you there could be a figure nine before you and a figure six in front of you. It all depends on how you look at things the perspective with which you look at things,” Hon. Ikwuechegh stated.

Hon. Ikwechegh went ahead to inform that his decision to join the Labour Party was propelled by his admiration for Governor Otti’s performance, describing him as a result-oriented leader.


He said that his political ideology aligns with that of the Governor, adding that the visible transformation in the state under Governor Otti’s administration influenced his decision.


The lawmaker said he was convinced that the Labour Party remained the right platform for progressive-minded individuals, commending the party’s leadership under Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha.

According to him, Nigeria operates a multi-party democratic system where opposition plays a vital role in strengthening governance and ensuring accountability.

He used the opportunity to urge residents of the state and other Nigerians to register with the Labour Party, adding that a link for online registration would be made available soonest


Also, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency and Leader of the Labour Party caucus in the National Assembly, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, said that the party was delighted to receive Hon. Ikwechegh as its newest member


Hon.Onwusibe said that Hon. Ikwechegh resigned from the APGA last week and subsequently joined the LP, adding that the Labour Party caucus in Abuja had earlier received him into its fold before the formal presentation to the Governor, who he equally received him. 


“As caucus leader, I came with him to demonstrate clearly that he is now a member of the Labour Party,” he said.


Him. Onwusibe described Ikwechegh’s defection as a significant gain for the party, expressing optimism that it would positively impact the 2027 general election, adding that Ikwechegh was motivated by the performance of the Governor and the contributions of LP lawmakers from Abia in the National Assembly.


The caucus leader, who likened the development to a football club signing a talented player, noted that such additions always strengthen a team and expressed confidence that Hon. Ikwechegh would also make meaningful contributions under the platform of the Labour Party.

“We are very happy that he is now in our family. This is one of the best sign offs that the Labour Party has made and it is going to manifest very soon in the election that is coming in 2027


“He saw the good works of the Governor and the works of Labour Party members in the national assembly from Abia State are doing the likes of Amobi Ogah and people like us and very soon he is going to do his own.

“So he feels that he is better off in this family than where he was,” Onwusibe stated.