Peter Mbah, Yilwatda present as six PDP, LP reps join APC during plenary

Five members of the house of representatives from Enugu have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers are Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze south federal constituency), Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency), Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze north/Udenu federal constituency), Martins Oke (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani federal constituency), and Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu east/Nkanu west federal constituency).

Daniel Asama, representing Jos north/Bassa federal constituency of Plateau state, also defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, read their defection notices during Thursday’s plenary.

The lawmakers attributed their move to the “protracted and irreconcilable crises” in their parties.

After reading the letter, Abbas said the legislators have “taken the right decision” by joining the APC. 

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, who recently defected to the APC; and Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the ruling party; were on the floor of the house to witness the defection.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of his colleagues after plenary, Nnaji described their swap of political platforms as a “step borne out of courage, clarity, and our shared determination” to reposition the state.

“For too long, our dear Enugu state has remained in opposition, watching from the sidelines as others shaped the destiny of our nation and accessed opportunities that could have transformed our people’s lives,” he said.

“That era is over. We refuse to remain spectators when we can be key players in Nigeria’s progress.

“By aligning with the APC — the party steering national transformation — we are connecting our constituency to the heartbeat of national development.

“This alignment will bring more projects, more jobs, better infrastructure, and greater empowerment for our youths, women, and communities.

“This decision wasn’t made on impulse. It comes from deep reflection and a burning desire to see our people rise above limits and take their rightful place in the national spotlight.”

This latest defection adds to the wave of exits that has recently hit the PDP.