By CHARLES IWUOHA

Prominent members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among whom are the former member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and former Governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections in Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, former Senator and member national working committee of PDP, Sylvanus Nguji Ngele and other executive members of the party.

The defection ceremony which took place at Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters Nkaliki on Saturday.

The event was used to exchange pleasantries between the defectors and the old members of the progressive family who were at the peak of their joyous mood that the two opposition parties have finally become one.

Speaking at the event, the two bigwigs from the PDP, Hon. Ogbaga and Senator Ngele, who had earlier announced their resignation from the party, noted that their major reason for dumping PDP was that the party was unable to produce a governor from Izzi clan which APC was able to achieve, in line with the existing charter of equity in Ebonyi State.

They stated that the present administration led by Rt.Hon. Francis Nwifuru is anchored on people’s charter of needs, was the main reason to join force with the ruling party to bring more dividends of democracy to the people of Ebonyi State.

Stressing that to also support to help in smoothing the road forGovernor Nwifuru to win his second tenure who hails from lzzi clan.

While receiving the decamped persons, some critical stakeholders and members of the progressive family including the APC National Treasurer, Chief Matthew Uguru, the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Stephen Nwogba, the APC Local Government Chairman, Hon. Paulinus Atam, the former Chairman Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Hon. Matthew Nwobashi among others, commended the defectors on their bold steps and encouraged them to go to their various wards to obtain their membership cards.

Assuring the new defectors that they would fully incorporated into the big family with their rights and privileges accorded to them.

Recall that some highly placed members of the defunct PDP in Abakaliki Local Government, including the member representing the people of Abakaliki North in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Nwoke were received into the APC family last Monday, April 29, 2024 during the visit of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, for official inauguration of BERWO committee in the Council.