Former appointees of the immediate governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came yesterday ahead of the zonal caucus meeting of the APC billed for today.
They were received into the party by the minister of state for labour and employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the national welfare secretary of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa.
Their defection from the PDP to the APC was announced during a stakeholders meeting convened at the instance of the minister in her country home, Isuochi, Abia State.
Among them were the immediate past chief of staff to Ikpeazu, Prof. A. C. B, Agbazuere, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, former information commissioner, Chief Eze Nwanganga, the commissioner for public utilities, Chief Sam Nwogu, former commissioner for environment.
Others were Elder Godwin Nna, former commissioner for commerce, Chief Uzor Ihuka, the former commissioner representing Isiala-ngwa North, Isiala-ngwa South and Osisioma local government areas on the board of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and key members of the PDP from the 17 local government and three senatorial districts of the state.
At the meeting, Onyejeocha, who addressed the new APC members, expressed her gratitude for their choice to join the party, an action she described as timely.
Onyejeocha said she was reluctant to convene a meeting since she assumed office as a minister because she found herself in a new work environment and had to focus on her new assignment before taking certain decisions.
The minister said she was not just struck by their large numbers, but was deeply impressed with the fact that they all possess the political credentials to secure victories for the APC in subsequent elections.
She said, “I appreciate you all for joining the APC. I can see some very experienced and seasoned politicians here. Even as a federal appointee, I am a minister for Abia State and for everybody. I pledge my loyalty to Nigeria, Abia State and to my party, the APC.
“I am convinced with the faces I am seeing here today, because they are people who will always win elections in their areas. They are people you cannot neglect,” Onyejeocha said and assured them that the message would be relayed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She promised to continue to strive to serve the people and the country, adding that peace is her ultimate goal and will “always strive for it”
“As a minister appointed, l understand the responsibility entrusted to me. I am dedicated to fulfilling the party’s promises. Abia State holds a special place in my heart. In my role at the Ministry of Labour, I am committed to fulfilling the core mission of reducing poverty and creating jobs –not just for Abia, but for all of Nigeria. My aim is to showcase the best of Abia to the entire nation and make all Abians proud”, she said.
Meanwhile, the national welfare secretary of the APC, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, has dismissed claims of division within the Abia State chapter of the party.
Nwankpa made the clarification while addressing the decampees, urging both old and new members of the party to embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation for the APC ahead of future elections.
He said: “I thank the Honourable Minister, for this all important meeting, and I want to assure her here before our new members, that there is no onlooker here. Everyone here is a registered member of our party.
“Now, to our new members, I want to remind you that politics is local, and I want you to know that there is no faction in Abia APC. Go and preach the message of APC in your various wards and LGA. Avoid internal rivalry. Go and unite and reason together to win for our party, APC.
“I believe in the leadership of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and the leader of South East, APC, Gov. Hope Uzodinma”.
On his part, Chief Emeka Atuma, a two time member of House of Representatives, said the gathering was to create a powerful and successful group for the APC.
The immediate past Abia State commissioner for information, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, who spoke earlier during the meeting, pledged his loyalty to the APC and the Onyejeocha.
He said: “I thank the Hon. Minister for this meeting. What we are doing here today is that we are to reinforce the ruling party and to make a change