The member representing the Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Akaliro Kelechi Anderson, has defected to the Labour Party from the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a resignation letter addressed to the APC Chairman of Umuahia North LGA, Hon. Akaliro cited deep-seated internal crises, factionalisation, and the collapse of cohesive leadership structures within the APC in Abia as reasons for his decision.
The lawmaker, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions and Judiciary and was the only elected APC member in the Abia State House of Assembly during the 2023 general elections, lamented that he had been treated with contempt and exclusion by the party’s leadership.
According to him, since his inauguration, the APC in Abia has never extended an invitation to him, formal or informal, for any meeting or activity, thereby undermining his relevance and mandate.
He further decried the unending suspension and counter-suspension of APC officials across wards and local governments, describing it as a sign of the party’s irreversible disunity.
He further explained that after due consultations with his constituents and political allies, he decided to align with Governor Alex Otti’s administration, which he praised as “visionary and development-oriented”.
His defection marks another heavy blow to the already fractured APC in Abia State and strengthens the growing influence of Governor Otti’s Labour Party-led government.
Widely respected for his courage, consistency, and principled politics, Hon. Anderson Akaliro has earned a reputation as a grassroots leader who refuses to be silenced or sidelined. His bold step has been described by political observers as an act of integrity and loyalty to the people he represents, rather than blind allegiance to a fractured party.
Addressing newsmen after his resignation, Hon. Akaliro said, “I am Honourable Barrister Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, better known as the man with excess grace. I represent the Umuahia North State constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.
“Today, I’ve seen the light. Before now, I’ve been watching the man called His Excellency Dr Alex Choma-Otti to know where he’s coming from and where he’s headed. So today I’ve decided to join His Excellency Dr Alex Choma-Otti in the Labour Party because I’ve looked at the things he has done so far for the good of our state.
“Abia is number one in virtually everything, catching him across the rooms and crannies of the states. I am proud to say, truly, I’m an Abian. Judging from his antecedents and what he has done, I had thought he was just a banker, but I never knew that he was a seasoned administrator.
“He came prepared for the job. And today, I’m really, really happy. And my constituents are excited that I’ve decided to join the moving train. I know he’s taking us to the proper destination, and Abia has always rejoiced. Abia will be happy with him, and Abia will continue to be happy with him.
“In the education sector, infrastructure development, bro, just name it. development, bro, just name it – houses, smart schools – he has built cutting across the length and breadth of Abia State. Even the blind could see that, truly, this man came prepared for the work, and he’s doing it seamlessly.
“He made my job as a former opposition person very, very difficult because I had no need to criticise him. Even when the thought comes up for me, in the next moment, he’s doing it. So he’s making it very, very difficult for me. I had no other choice but to join him because I know he’s the right man for this job. No other, I repeat, no other person can do better.
“I’m officially declaring, and I want to be known as Honourable Barrister Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, the man with excess grace, representing the good people of Umuahia North State constituency as a member of the Labour Party.”
