Four members of the Anambra State House of Assembly and scores of Labour Party (LP) members loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Saturday, defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defections come shortly after Obi formally joined the ADC, signalling what supporters describe as a significant realignment in the state and across the South‑East.
The lawmakers who defected include the LP caucus leader in the House, Hon. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, Hon. Fred Ezenwa, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue, and Hon. Henry Nigeria Mbachu.
Several high‑profile party chieftains also joined the shift, including former LP State Secretary and Publicity Secretary Barr. Okoli Akirika, Engineer Theo Egbe, and former Commissioner for Women Affairs Lady Harrieta Agbata.
Speaking at the defection event, Umennajiego said the move was just the beginning of a broader exodus that would follow Obi’s decision to join the ADC.
“The defections that would follow Obi’s decision to join the ADC would be ‘humongous and tremendous’ in Anambra State and across the South‑East,” he said.
He described the movement as a clear show of loyalty to Obi’s leadership and political direction.
In his opening remarks, the meeting convener, Barrister Okoli Akirika, said some defectors had been in Enugu State, witnessing similar developments following Obi’s ADC move.
“Since our leader has joined ADC, we have decided to follow him. Our leader left, so we have to follow him,” Akirika said.
Akirika urged members to return to their respective wards to formally register with the ADC, stressing the importance of building the party from the grassroots.
He described the wave of defections as a mass movement driven by Nigerians, with the goal of fostering good governance and preventing the hijacking of party structures.
The communiqué of the meeting was read by Engineer Theo Egbe, the former LP State Publicity Secretary, who confirmed that the defectors had resigned individually and collectively from the Labour Party in alignment with Obi’s decision.
Egbe urged all defectors to engage with their ADC ward leadership for proper registration and integration into the party.