The membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has continued to grow following the announcement of defection by members of other political parties to the ruling party at the center on Tuesday.
Over the year, more than 500 individuals from the governing Labour Party (LP) in the State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Young People’s Party (YPP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have become members of the APC in Bende Federal Constituency of the State.
The defectors officially announced their move to the APC on Tuesday, following the visit of the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to various wards of the federal constituency.
Kalu, who represents the Bende federal constituency in the National Assembly, commenced a tour of 13 electoral wards on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The purpose of the tour was to show gratitude and find out more about the people’s immediate needs.
Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu, stated that the deputy speaker has visited five wards, including Item Ward A, B, C; Ugwueke/Ezeukwu and Itumbauzo Wards. During these visits, he welcomed over 400 people into the APC.
A visit to Alayi Ward in the constituency on Tuesday evening saw over 100 individuals defecting from PDP, AGPA, LP, and YPP to APC.
Former PDP councillors from Alayi Ward A, Hon. Enoch Elekwa, and Hon. Chukwu Udensi, were among those who defected. Also, former LP ward chairman, Hon. Jonah Chukwu; YPP ward vice chairman, Ekeoma Sylvester Eze; and former APGA local government chairman, Ndubuisi Sunday Agu, joined the APC.
Also, over 100 people announced their defection from the PDP and other political parties to APC during Kalu’s visit to Umuhu Ezechi Ward on Tuesday.
During the tour, former Commissioner and one-time Bende Local Government chairman, Paul Chikezie Mba, Ph.D, said they were drawn to the APC due to the deputy speaker’s performance as a parliamentarian.
Commending Kalu for bringing numerous projects to the ward, Mba pledged substantial support for APC in the ward.
Mba stated, “I have observed the efforts you’ve made. You’ve made significant contributions within one year to Bende, Abia State, and beyond. I have served as a commissioner of education, lands, and surveys in Abia State.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu exceeded my expectations and I want to support him. I know he is very intelligent. He has attracted numerous roads, solar-powered energy for lighting, boreholes, rehabilitation and construction of schools, health centers, and so on. Many people have gained employment through him. He sent people abroad for training in various trades. He is doing the right thing and I would like to support him.”
“I handed over to him as local government chairman. From day one, he looked so vibrant. I have never had any doubt about him.”
The Deputy Speaker, in his comments, commended the crowd and presented them with a bunch of brooms, the symbol of APC, saying that he visited Umuhu Ezechi to express his appreciation to the residents for electing him in the 2023 general election.