Barely two days after the mass defection that saw the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Enugu State move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP) Chairman in Enugu East Local Government Area, Afam Joseph Ogbene, has also dumped the LP alongside his entire ward executive to join the APC.
Ogbene announced his resignation during a gathering of APC leaders and supporters at the Umuchigbo Iji-Nike Civic Centre, where he explained that his decision was motivated by the “visionary and result-driven leadership” of Governor Peter Mbah, who himself left the PDP for the APC earlier in the week.
Describing the move as “difficult but necessary,” Ogbene said it aligned with his resolve to contribute to Mbah’s developmental goals for Enugu State.
“Today, I address you, the good people of Enugu East Local Government Area, out of the fullness of my heart. It is with hope, expectations, and excitement that I announce my decision to resign my position as Chairman of the Labour Party in Enugu East and to also withdraw my membership of the party,” he said.
“This decision was not made lightly, considering the hard work and sacrifices we invested in building the party of our dreams. Unfortunately, those efforts were rendered futile by internal crises orchestrated by enemies within.
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“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and supporters, I decided to formally resign and join the APC. When I heard of the imminent defection of our amiable and hardworking Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, from the PDP to the APC, I became convinced that this was the right time to align with him in his mission to rebuild and transform Enugu State.”
Ogbene added that his supporters and ward executives had equally chosen to follow him into the APC in recognition of the governor’s “uncommon and unprecedented developmental strides.”
“We are committed to supporting His Excellency, Dr. Mbah, out of our own free will. We recognise his performance since assuming office and believe in his capacity to deliver even more. Hence, we are not considering any alternative in 2027,” he declared.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, commended their bold decision, describing it as “a total collapse of the Labour Party in Enugu East.”
“You are a leader per excellence,” Ogbodo said. “What is happening here today is historic — the first total collapse of the Labour Party in any local government area of the state. The mammoth crowd here today shows your influence and credibility.
“It is time for Ndigbo to join the mainstream of national politics where power and opportunities are shared. We can no longer afford to play fragmented politics. Power in Nigeria is shared at the centre, and we must be where it is shared.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, welcomed Ogbene and his team to the APC, describing the event as a joyful milestone, being the first time the Labour Party had completely folded in any council area within the state.