Labour Party Lawmaker Sunday Umeha, Alongside Party chieftain Ogbonna led more than 1,000 Labour Party members—including the entire local government party structure—into the APC
Sunday Umeha, the lawmaker representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made over the weekend during a mini-rally held at Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Umeha’s defection was accompanied by that of a prominent LP financier in the area, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, popularly known as “Father Father.” Ogbonna led more than 1,000 Labour Party members—including the entire local government party structure—into the APC. Umeha noted that his move to the ruling party was made in solidarity with his longtime ally, Ogbonna.
The federal lawmaker further disclosed that a formal rally would soon be held in Ezeagu to ceremonially welcome him into the APC. He also confirmed that he had resigned his LP membership and completed his registration with the APC at his ward level.
Umeha attributed his defection to the deepening internal crises within the Labour Party at both the national and state levels, describing the divisions as “intractable.” He added that aligning with the APC would better position his constituency to benefit from federal opportunities.
According to Umeha, “It is important to connect with the center so our people can reap the advantages that come with being in the mainstream.” He also asserted that the APC has delivered more tangible benefits to the Southeast than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing key infrastructure projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Second Niger Bridge as evidence.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, and APC leader in Enugu State, welcomed the development. Though he was represented at the event by his 2023 governorship running mate, George Ogara, he expressed excitement over the increasing influx of credible and grassroots politicians into the party.
Receiving the new members, Enugu State APC Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, stated that the party is now more confident of capturing the state’s governorship seat—the Lion Building—in the 2027 elections.
In a related development, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State received over 3,000 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) into the APC over the weekend.
Speaking at the state’s Citizens Engagement Programme—“Gwamnati da Jama’a”—held at the sports complex in Dutse, the state capital, Governor Namadi declared that the APC is becoming the dominant political force in the Jigawa South West Senatorial Zone.
He confidently stated that current lawmakers representing Birnin Kudu/Buji, Dutse/Kiyawa, and Birnin Kudu constituencies in both the National Assembly and State House of Assembly should begin preparing to vacate their seats in 2027. He cited the growing popularity and achievements of his administration as key factors driving the wave of defections.
“We are witnessing a strong wave of acceptance for the APC across all seven local government areas of the senatorial zone,” Namadi said. “Today, over 3,400 PDP members from Dutse alone joined our party. Similar turnouts have been recorded in Birnin Kudu and Buji.”
The governor also conveyed messages from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including assurances of continued federal support for Jigawa State. He highlighted several major projects, such as the ongoing multi-billion naira Greater Dutse Water Project, the Kano-Dutse-Damagaram railway project nearing completion, and the re-awarded Kano-Shuwari road project, which is now under active construction.
Governor Namadi concluded by affirming President Tinubu’s commitment to accelerating development in the region, promising that more federal projects would be delivered to improve the social and economic well-being of Jigawa residents.