In a significant political development, over 1,000 members of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors include Hon. Sunday Umeha, a member of the House of Representatives representing Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency.
*Reasons for Defection*
- *Intractable division*: Umeha cited the intractable division within the ranks of LP at the national and state levels as one of the reasons for his defection.
- *Need to connect to the centre*: He also stated that he defected to APC because of the need to connect to the centre and bring his people closer, citing the advantages of being plugged into the ruling party.
*APC's Reaction*
- *Elation*: The Leader of APC in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, expressed elation at the influx of credible and grassroots persons into the party.
- *Call to action*: He urged all party members to remain steadfast, stating that the defection was a testament to the party's growing strength.
*Implications*
- *Collapse of LP structure*: The defection of over 1,000 LP members, including the local government structures, is a significant blow to the party in Enugu State.
- *APC's growing strength*: The defection is a boost to APC's strength in the state, with the party poised to take over the government of Enugu in 2027.
*Conclusion*
The mass defection of LP members to APC in Enugu State is a significant development that could impact the political landscape of the state. As the 2027 elections approach, the APC is likely to leverage this momentum to strengthen its position in the state [1].
