Hundreds of youths from the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
They were led into the PDP by the former Isiama Ward chairman of the party, Mr Mandela Kinsley Festus, at a brief ceremony held at the Amaekpu Ohafia country home of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, where they denounced their membership of the APC.
This development is coming less than two weeks after members of the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a celebrated event held at the Ohafia Model Girls Secondary School (OGMSS) playground with the state chairman of the PDP and his working committee members on ground to receive the new members.
However, the leader of the defectors and the APC chairman of Isiama Amaekpu Ward, Mandela Festus, noted that those who are truthful to themselves will agree with them that the Deputy Speaker has opened the eyes of many and raised the bar in his office as the member representing Ohafia South constituency at the State Assembly.
According to them, “those who love the development of Ohafia owe it to the Deputy Speaker their total support as he has shown over the years that the interest of his people is his top priority”.
They also vowed to rally around the Deputy Speaker; the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; and every PDP office holder in the state for greater achievements.
Welcoming the decampees into the party fold, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, thanked the new members for their thoughtfulness and love for the development of Ohafia and Abia State which led to their decision to join the ruling party in the state.
He assured them of his willingness to do more for the people of Ohafia in his capacity as their representative at the State Assembly.
The number two lawmaker in Abia State, however, urged them to bring home their friends and loved ones who are still in the political wilderness while noting that the big umbrella of the PDP is large enough to contain everyone.
