The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has received a significant boost as over 3,000 members from various political parties defected to the party.
The mass defection took place in Ukwa East Local Government Area during an empowerment programme organized by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Addressing the gathering, which was prominently marked by APC’s iconic broom symbol, Kalu highlighted the growing wave of defections to the APC, indicating that more are on the way.
In a statement issued by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu attributed the defections to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the development of the Igbo people. He emphasized the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as a significant milestone in addressing the region’s infrastructure needs.
Kalu remarked: “The President has tried for Ndigbo. He is still trying for Ndigbo. He is the only man that remembered Ndigbo after 54 years that a promise of reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation was made to Ndigbo. He came with the spirit of equity and fairness.
“He is a leader who believes in development. He signed the bill into law so that the damage caused by the civil war will be rebuilt.
“As the leader of our party, he has asked us to galvanize the grassroots and bring them closer to the politics of development that he is bringing to the Igbo land.”
Welcoming the new members, Kalu commended their decision to join the APC, stating: “For taking this decision to join APC, it shall be well with you. APC has come closer to the people. On behalf of our party, we welcome you.
“We know who you are and what you are capable of doing. When these caliber of people left PDP and other parties and joined the APC, what again is left?
“The parties have collapsed. Everybody is here. We will empower you to empower others.”
The empowerment programme also served as a platform to acknowledge Hon. Chris Nkwonta’s recent defection to the APC from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Nkwonta, who chairs the House Committee on the South East Development Commission, has been a driving force in promoting the APC’s agenda in the region.
Kalu urged continued support for President Tinubu’s administration, assuring that the people of Ukwa East, Ukwa West, and the entire Igbo land would experience further dividends of democracy. He declared: “We will empower you to empower others.”
The defection event included notable political figures such as Hon. Emeka Stanley, a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and former member of the House of Representatives.