Mass exodus hits PDP as Senator Ngele, Ogbaga, others join APC

A tidal wave of defections has struck Ebonyi State’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with topshop defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among the defectors are Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, a former representative of Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2023 elections, as well as former Senator Sylvanus Nguji Ngele, a former member of the PDP’s National Working Committee. Other executive members of the PDP also joined the APC ranks.

The defection ceremony took place at the Abakaliki Local Government Area Headquarters in Nkaliki on Saturday.

During the event, Hon. Ogbaga and Senator Ngele, prominent figures within the PDP, cited the party’s failure to produce a governor from the Izzi clan as a primary reason for their departure.

They noted that the APC, in accordance with Ebonyi State’s equity charter, had achieved this feat, prompting their decision to align with the ruling party under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, which they believed prioritized the people’s needs.

Receiving the defectors were key stakeholders and members of the APC, including Chief Matthew Uguru, the APC National Treasurer; Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the APC State Chairman; Hon. Stephen Nwogba, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A; Hon. Paulinus Atam, the APC Local Government Chairman; Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, the former Chairman of Abakaliki L.G.A; and Hon. Matthew Nwobashi, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey. They commended the defectors for their decision and urged them to obtain their APC membership cards at their respective wards.