By CHARLES IWUOHA

A former Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for Ebonyi central zone, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State.

Ogbee’s defection alongside his over 3,000 loyalists on Monday, has marked the total end of the leading opposition PDP in Ezza south LGA.

This, comes after two weeks the former senator who represented Ebonyi central senatorial zone, Obinna Ogba and the party’s Rep aspirant, Obinna Nwachukwu joined the ruling APC in lshielu Local government Area of the state.

Speaking shortly after the defection which took place at Unueke, the Ezza south Local government Area Headquarters, Ogbee commended the governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the various ongoing projects in the state.

The decampee stated that he didn’t defect to APC to destabilise the party as alleged but to join hands together with the stakeholders to build the party in Ezza south LGA and the state at large.

He urged other Ezza south LGA members who are in other Political Parties to join the moving train for the growth and development of their area.

Ogbee, a former two term House Representatives member for lkwo/Ezza south federal constituency, expressed gratitude to the APC state Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha for receiving him and his supporters into the party.

He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving the shared goal of a better Ebonyi State and urged all the stakeholders to work together towards achieving that common objective.

“Am here today to declare that l won Ezza south in 2023 general elections. No Political party has ever won any party l belonged since l joined Politics in Ezza south LGA. It’s on record. This is the best time to rejoin my political family for the progress of the Area.

“The APC led administration in Ebonyi state under Francs Nwifuru is doing well that’s why am joining the party. His style of leadership prompted me to conclude and decided to resign and join the fold.

”My defection sends ripples through Ebonyi State’s political landscape, it remains to be seen how this move will impact the upcoming elections and the overall dynamics of the state’s governance.

” I am watching to see how this development will shape the political landscape in the state in the days and months ahead.”

” I am a respected figure in Ebonyi State politics, l made a bold step today as l officially announced my defection from my former political party PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking also, the Ezza south APC LGA Chairman, Barrister Chibuike Uwa, noted that the history that has made today was as a result of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s good governance in the state.

The Executive Chairman of Ezza south LGA and the host, Mrs Euphemia Nwali, while speaking commended Lazarus Ogbee and his supporters for making the bold steps for joining the APC.

She enumerated some of her achievements to include empowering the people of the area, siting of projects across the various wards and other social amenities.

Nothing that under her administration, she has Procured official vehicles to all the APC part executives in Ezza south LGA, saying that no other council Chairmen have done it in the state.

Receiving the defectors, the state party Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, stated that APC doors are widely open to welcome and accommodate everyone.

He called on all politicians and citizens in Ezza south LGA to set aside their differences and focus on building a stronger, more prosperous future for the state.

Emegha, who stated that the decampees would be accommodated in the affairs of the party and the state, noted that the party would continue to receive those who want to join the APC for a united and prosperous state.

The APC boss extolled his members to allow any opposition party member who wishes to join the party.

“Do not restrict people from coming to APC, don’t segregate. Tell them, let everybody come. Let us come together. The house is more than enough to carry all of us”, he stated.

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