The chairman of the Labour Party in Enugu East Local Government, Afam Joseph Ogbene, has resigned from the party along with the entire ward executive and defected to the APC barely 48 hours after the entire PDP structure joined the ruling party.

According to Ogbene who addressed APC leaders and a crowd of supporters in the party at Umuchigbo, Iji-Nike, Civic Centre, Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to the APC from PDP on Tuesday inspired him.

He described the Governor as a  purposeful leader with amazing foresight adding that his decision although difficult, was necessary.

He said; “Today, I address you, the good people of Enugu East Local Government Area, out of the fullness of my heart. It is with hope, expectations, and excitement that I announce my decision to resign my position as Chairman of the Labour Party in Enugu East and to also withdraw my membership of the party.

“This decision was not made lightly, considering the hard work and sacrifices we invested in building the party of our dreams. Unfortunately, those efforts were rendered futile by internal crises orchestrated by enemies within.

“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and supporters, I decided to formally resign and join the APC. When I heard of the imminent defection of our amiable and hardworking Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, from the PDP to the APC, I became convinced that this was the right time to align with him in his mission to rebuild and transform Enugu State.”

The chairman added that his supporters and ward executives all agreed to join the APC in solidarity with Mbah’s “uncommon and unprecedented developmental strides.”

He added; “We are committed to supporting His Excellency, Dr. Mbah, out of our own free will. We recognise his performance since assuming office and believe in his capacity to deliver even more. Hence, we are not considering any alternative in 2027.”

The Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo who received the defectors on behalf of the Governor, commended their courage and described the defection as “a total collapse of the Labour Party in Enugu East.”

He said; “What is happening here today is historic — the first total collapse of the Labour Party in any local government area of the state. The mammoth crowd here today shows your influence and credibility.

“It is time for Ndigbo to join the mainstream of national politics where power and opportunities are shared. We can no longer afford to play fragmented politics. Power in Nigeria is shared at the centre, and we must be where it is shared.”

The chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike also welcomed Ogbene into the APC.

According to him, it was a thing of joy that the Labour Party in Enugu East Local Government entirely collapsed for the first time in the state.