It was a tale of defections in Anambra State as elected members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The list of the lawmakers from the House of Representatives that defected from APGA to the PDP included the former state governorship aspirant on the platform of APGA and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market, Chris Emeka Azubogu and three other lawmakers from the state.

They have also written the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Mu’azu, seeking waiver to return to the party and apparently contest the parliamentary election in February 2015.

Other members of the House who have written to the national chairman of the party were the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Afam Ogene; member representing Onitsha North/Onitsha South Federal Constituency, Cyril Egwuatu and the Chairman, House Committee on Culture, Tourism, Pilgrimages and Religious Matters, Chief John Olibie. Their defection to the PDP has reduced APGA’s grip on the House.

According to the lawmakers in their separate letters addressed to the PDP National Chairman through the PDP State Chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, and copied the leader of South-East and National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, they attributed their dumping APGA and returning to their former party, PDP, to the lingering crisis in APGA and the relative peace that the PDP was witnessing in the state and in the country at large.

The lawmakers, who described themselves as founding members of the PDP, said it became imperative to return and be part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The National Assembly members cited internal crisis in APGA and endless litigations between the two APGA factions of Victor Umeh and Maxi Okwu as another reason for leaving the party.

The office of the national chairman received the letters on Monday as they all carried the official stamp and acknowledging receipt of the letters by the five members of the House.

Ekwunife in her four-paragraph letter stated that: “This is to inform you of my decision to return to my original party, the PDP, and also to notify you of my resignation as a member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“My decision is as a result of the internal crisis and endless litigations between the two APGA factions of Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Maxi Okwu.

“I have therefore returned to PDP to continue to give unwavering and interrupted support to Goodluck Jonathan and his monumental transformation agenda and nation building. “In the present circumstance, I therefore appeal to the national and state executives of the party to grant me the waiver required to further my political aspirations under the umbrella of the PDP. Kindly inform all necessary organs of the party accordingly.”

Azubogu’s letter read in part: “I write with a great sense of humility to inform you of my decision to return to the PDP, a political party I was a member from 1999 before I ran for election in 2011 on the platform of APGA.”

“My decision is borne out of the leadership tussle in APGA between Maxi Okwu and Chief Victor Umeh factions which have put the interest of elected officers in great danger.

“Further to my resolve to offer a credible representation to the good people of Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and their support to President Jonathan in 2015 and beyond, and the internal democracy enthroned by the national chairman of PDP, Muazu, I have decided to join PDP.

“In this circumstance, I seek the indulgence of the state executive of the party to grant me the waiver required to further my political aspirations on the platform of the PDP.”

Ogene in his letter also said: “This decision is borne out of the litany of litigations which has polarised my former political party, the APGA, into the Umeh and Okwu factions – a tread which has left party faithful aspiring for elective office in a quandary.”

In his letter, Olibie said: “Consequently, due to the internal crisis in APGA, I have resigned my membership of the party and most humbly and respectfully apply to return and to be re-registered as a member of PDP in Ukpo Ward 3, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state with all rights and privileges.”

•Text courtesy of THISDAY. Photo shows one of the defected federal lawmakers, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene.

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