A significant political realignment has unfolded in Anambra West Local Government Area as prominent stakeholders from various political parties have officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The development, which occurred barely 18 days after Mr Peter Obi joined the ADC, saw the participation of leaders drawn from multiple parties across the local government area.

The three-hour meeting took place at the residential home of Chief Peter Udogalaya Aniekwe (Macpee Milinaliugwu), member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, in Oroma Etiti Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area. The gathering culminated in a unanimous agreement among participants.

Coordinating the defection were the Anambra West chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP), alongside a former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secretary and several other influential stakeholders, including aggrieved APGA members.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Sylvester Nnaluo, former Labour Party chairman, described the defection as an opportunity to pursue meaningful development and positive change for Anambra West. He criticised APGA’s stewardship of the state over the past two decades, stating that the party had failed to meet the people’s expectations.

He urged the new entrants to approach their ADC membership with seriousness, emphasising that the party would uphold transparency to avoid the internal crises and ethical lapses that plague other political platforms.

However, Chief Aniekwe, who is also the ADC leader in Anambra West, expressed confidence that the party would assume control of Anambra West. He described APGA as “an epitome of failure” and pledged to ensure accountability and transparency while working to attract developmental projects to the area through the ADC.

Also, Chief Charles Igbanugo Okafor, president-general of Ezi-Anam ward, described the defection as timely, saying it would facilitate necessary repositioning in Anambra West.

He maintained that the ADC is the only party capable of bringing transformative change to the area.

Similarly, the ADC chairman in Anambra West, Mr Jude Nwanegbo, formally welcomed the defectors and encouraged them to disseminate the party’s message across the constituency. He praised Obi’s leadership qualities, citing the Umueze Anam–Mmiata Anam Road project as an enduring example of impactful governance.

(Sun)