In a significant political development, six members of the Labour Party at the Enugu State House of Assembly have officially decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawmakers had initially planned to defect during an event at the Okpara Square last Sunday, which was abruptly ended, leading to speculation about their intentions.
However, during Thursday’s plenary at the state House of Assembly complex, the lawmakers formally announced their defection in a letter read by the speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu. The defecting members include Mr. Ejike Nwa Nsukka, Mr. Johnson Ugwu, Ms. Princess Ugwu, Mr. Pius Onyeka Ezugwu, Mr. Williams T. Amuka, and Mr. Osita Eze, representing various constituencies in the state.
The speaker cited the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters” as the reason for their defection. He expressed regret over the party’s current state, describing it as being in a state of perpetual discord with factions embroiled in legal battles, which has undermined its ability to serve the people effectively.
The lawmakers highlighted the Abure and Apapa factions, as well as issues with the national treasurer, as examples of the divisions within the party. They lamented that the Labour Party, once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas, has now become synonymous with internal strife, diminishing its capacity to fulfill the aspirations of the electorate.
This defection is expected to impact the political landscape in Enugu State, particularly as the state approaches the next election cycle. The move underscores the challenges facing smaller parties in Nigeria, as they struggle to maintain cohesion and relevance in the face of internal divisions and external pressures.
Politics Nigeria