ENUGU — In a major political realignment within the Enugu State House of Assembly, six lawmakers elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing deep divisions and ongoing crises within the LP as their reasons for abandoning the party.
The defection, which took place during a plenary session on Thursday, marks a turning point in the political makeup of the state legislature and consolidates the PDP’s control of the Assembly.
Those who defected include prominent figures within the House: Majority Leader Hon. Johnson Ani (Enugu North), Chief Whip Hon. Ejike Eze (Igbo-Eze North 1), Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Princess Ugwu (Enugu South Rural), Hon. Pius Ezugwu (Nsukka East), Hon. Williams Amuka (Igbo-Etiti West), and Hon. Osita Eze (Oji River). Each lawmaker submitted a letter formally notifying the House of their decision to switch parties.
In their respective letters, the lawmakers unanimously blamed their defection on what they described as “irreconcilable divisions” within the Labour Party. According to them, persistent internal wrangling, leadership tussles, and legal disputes have plagued the party both at the state and national levels, leaving it unable to effectively carry out its duties as a political platform.
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“The Labour Party has become a house divided against itself,” said Hon. Johnson Ani during the plenary. “We have made this decision in the interest of our constituents who deserve peace, progress, and political stability. Remaining in a party constantly engulfed in crisis is no longer tenable.”
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, officially acknowledged the defection and welcomed the lawmakers into the PDP, assuring them that they would be fully integrated into the Assembly’s legislative processes.
With this development, the PDP now commands a clear majority in the Enugu State House of Assembly, holding 17 seats, while the Labour Party’s presence has dwindled to just six members. The shift has effectively strengthened the PDP’s legislative dominance and may have significant implications for governance and policymaking in the state.
The mass defection has generated a wave of reactions across Enugu State. Labour Party loyalists have expressed disappointment over what they call a betrayal of the party’s mandate and the trust of voters who elected the lawmakers under the LP banner during the 2023 general elections.
“This is a sad day for democratic accountability,” said Chidi Nwoke, a political analyst based in Enugu. “These lawmakers rode on the popularity of the Labour Party, particularly during the Obidient movement. To now defect barely a year later raises serious questions about political integrity.”
However, PDP stakeholders see the move as a vote of confidence in the party’s leadership and its vision for the state. “We welcome these lawmakers and are confident they will continue to serve their constituents faithfully under the PDP,” a PDP spokesperson said.
Political observers say the defections could reshape the dynamics of future elections in Enugu State and possibly weaken the Labour Party’s growing momentum in the Southeast. As the dust settles, many are watching closely to see how the Labour Party will respond to this significant setback and whether more defections might follow.
