The member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Chimaobi Atu, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Labour Party.
Hon Atu’s defection was announced by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, during plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmaker, in his resignation letter, cited the lingering internal crises within the Labour Party and a lack of leadership direction as key reasons for his move to the ruling APC.
Quoting him, “All of you have seen the crises in the party and gross lack of direction. My interest is to serve my people in the most modest way I can.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent steps in addressing developmental concerns in the South East, including the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
According to him, “President Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to Ndi Igbo with the signing of the South East Development Commission and other significant projects.”
Recall that the lawmaker representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Prof Paul Nnamchi, a few days ago, left LP for the APC. He cited internal crises as behind his defection.
Some residents of Enugu, who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Thursday, said APC might spring surprises in Enugu State come 2027 general elections. According to them, LP had collapsed, and APC might become the alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
Sam Ngene, a former local government administrator in the state, said, “We had expected Atu to join PDP. There is already a contest between APC and PDP in the state ahead of 2027. APC, for the first time, is making inroads in Enugu State. PDP should watch it.”
A PDP stalwart in the state, Hon Hillary Onah, said, “The PDP-led administration in the state will ride on its successes in 2027. I can assure you that APC will not thrive in the state. APC is also having its internal crisis. It is divided, while PDP is consolidating.”
LP, our correspondent reports, won seven out of Enugu State’s eight House of Representatives seats during the 2023 general elections.
