In a major political realignment, all members of the Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was announced on Thursday during plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
He read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) before the chamber.
The event was witnessed by the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, whose presence added weight to the political development.
According to the defectors, their decision to abandon their former parties stemmed from persistent internal crises that have destabilized the PDP and LP. They described the move as a bold and strategic step to align with the “progressive vision” of the APC-led government.
Before now, the Labour Party dominated Enugu politics, winning seven of the state’s eight House of Representatives seats in the 2023 general elections, while the PDP secured one. With Thursday’s mass defection, the APC now controls the entire Enugu caucus at the National Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Nnolim Nnaji, who represents the Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, said the lawmakers decided to join forces with the APC in support of Governor Mbah’s transformation agenda.
He said, “Come to Enugu and see what the governor is doing. We want to bring our state to the centre.”
Nnaji described the decision as a “courageous step into the future,” aimed at repositioning Enugu State for growth and inclusion in national development. He noted that Enugu had spent too long “watching from the sidelines” while others accessed opportunities that could have benefited the state’s citizens.
He added, “That era is over. By aligning with the APC, we are connecting our people to the heartbeat of national progress. This move will open doors for more projects, more jobs, better infrastructure, and empowerment for our youths and women.”
The defectors at the plenary included Martins Oke, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nnamdi Agbo, Nnolim Nnaji, and Mark Obetta.
In a related event, the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Daniel Asama, also dumped the Labour Party for the APC.
Political observers see the defection as a major win for the APC, which has been seeking to consolidate power across Nigeria’s southeastern states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move marks a significant shift in Enugu’s political landscape, previously seen as a stronghold for opposition parties.