Gideon Arinze in Enugu
Six members of the Labour Party (LP) in the Enugu State House of Assembly have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The LP members made their defection known yesterday in Enugu via a letter read by the Speaker of the Assembly, Uche Ugwu, during plenary.
With the defection, the PDP now has the majority in the Assembly with a total of 17 members while the LP has six members.
Among the defectors were the Chief Whip, member representing Igbo-Eze North constituency 1 in the Assembly, Hon Ejike Ezeh; and member representing Nsukka East.
Others were Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu, deputy chief whip, member representing Enugu South Rural; Princess Obiajulu Ugwu, member representing Oji River; Osita Eze, member representing Igbo-Etiti West; William Amuka, and member representing Enugu North Urban, Johnson Ani.
In the letters, the LP members cited the irreconcilable division and incessant crisis within the party at the national level and across all the state chapters as the reason for their deflection.
The members regretted that the party had evolved into perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles, undermining its ability to effectively serve the people’s interest.
Among other things, they cited the cases of the Julius Abure and Limido Apapa-led factions as well as the national treasurer as some of the divisions within the party.
They expressed optimism that the PDP would provide a platform for them to keep working for their constituents, while also thanking the leadership of the LP for their support.
In his reaction, the Assembly Speaker welcomed the new members into the PDP fold, and pledged to carry them along in the legislative activities of the Assembly.
