The Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chijioke Chukwu, has officially received a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Emeka Ochiobi, and a prominent chieftain of the party from Bende, Chief Chimeremeze Odoemenam (Onwa Bende), alongside a retinue of other defectors into the APC.
The defection ceremony, which took place at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia, was described by the chairman as a “political tsunami” that has further strengthened the APC’s resolve to capture Abia State in the 2027 general elections.
In his welcome address, Chief Chukwu hailed the new members for making the “right decision” and pledged to run an inclusive administration that will respect all party members. “Your defection is a testament to the growing appeal of the APC in Abia State. We are building a formidable structure to rescue Abia from misgovernance and misrule,” he said.
Chief Emeka Ochiobi, a former member of the PDP caretaker committee in Abia State, cited the lack of internal democracy and the absence of a clear development agenda in his former party as reasons for his move. On his part, Chief Chimeremeze Odoemenam, popularly known as Onwa Bende, said he was attracted to the APC by the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the progressive policies of the ruling party.
The defectors were received by top party officials, including members of the State Working Committee, and were presented with brooms—the symbol of the APC.
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