Two members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Labour Party from Enugu State—Mr Dennis Agbo (Igboeze/Udenu Federal Constituency) and Mr Mark-Chidi Obetta (Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency)—on Thursday officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
They were joined by the member representing Nsukka West State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Malachi-Okey Onyechi, who also returned to the PDP.
The mass defection marks the latest in a wave of exits from the Labour Party in Enugu, coming just two days after two notable LP chieftains, Prince Emeka Mamah and Titus Odo, also dumped the party for the PDP. Earlier this month, the LP’s 2023 governorship candidate in the state, Chijioke Edeoga, had similarly renounced his membership and returned to the PDP.
All the decampees were formerly members of the PDP who defected to the Labour Party during the 2023 general election cycle, only to now retrace their steps.
Speaking during the defection ceremony held at the PDP Secretariat in Enugu, Mr Malachi-Okey Onyechi expressed joy at reuniting with the PDP, pledging his total commitment to the party’s progress.
“I am happy to have united with my former party,” he said, vowing to work harmoniously with other members to move the party forward.
He praised Governor Peter Mbah’s development efforts, particularly highlighting the governor’s N2 billion grassroots development initiative which he said was being implemented across all 260 political wards in the state.
Also speaking, Mr Mark-Chidi Obetta cited the development achievements of the Mbah administration as a key motivation for his return to the PDP.
“My return to the PDP is predicated on the development indices in Enugu, especially on transport, education, health and hospitality,” Obetta stated.
“Enugu State will achieve more if everyone partner with Mbah,” he added.
Mr Dennis Agbo, in his remarks, thanked his constituents for their understanding and support, describing them as “great people.”
He declared that following their collective defection, the Labour Party in Enugu had effectively ceased to exist.
“There would be no LP again in Enugu State,” Agbo said, asserting that “it would be very difficult for the opposition in Enugu State.”
He lauded Governor Mbah for what he described as visionary leadership, insisting that the governor “deserved a second term.”
Receiving the defectors, Enugu State PDP Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, expressed delight at their return to the party.
“With their defection the trouble we encountered in 2023 election is over,” Chukwunwike said.
“The tsunami is over and 2027 will be seamless,” he added.
