"PDP is Dead and Gone": Over 100 PDP Defectees Declare as They Join Labour Party in Abia
- Hundreds of PDP members in Abia, led by Hon. Sunday Anya Ojo, have defected to the Labour Party, citing the declining influence of the PDP in the state
- Hon. Ojo criticised the PDP’s state in Abia, calling it “dead and gone,” and pledged his full political structure to the Labour Party
- The defection was welcomed by Abia’s Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, who sees it as a boost for the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections
Ohafia, Abia state - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has suffered a significant blow in its efforts to maintain its position as a strong opposition force.
Hundreds of its members have defected to the Labour Party (LP), with the move led by Hon. Sunday Anya Ojo, a prominent grassroots politician from Isiama Ward in Elu Ohafia and a former House of Assembly aspirant.
Source: Twitter
Hon. Ojo’s defection marks a high-profile loss for the PDP, as he was previously a Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilization to the immediate past governor of the state.
His defection, accompanied by a large group of supporters, took place at the residence of the state’s Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, in Amaekpu Ohafia, Ohafia Local Government Area, The Nations reported.
Ojo: PDP in decline
Speaking about his decision to leave the PDP, Hon. Ojo did not hold back in his criticism of the party’s declining influence in Abia State.
He expressed that his decision to join the Labour Party was driven by the PDP’s inability to remain relevant in the state.
“I decided to dump PDP for the Labour Party and to also inform them that PDP in Abia State is dead and gone. PDP is in a sorry state right now—in fact, PDP is in the mortuary. I’m now in LP with my entire political structure,” Ojo declared, as he addressed his supporters.
Ojo’s remarks were seen as a direct and harsh criticism of the PDP’s current state in the region.
His bold declaration reflected the growing frustration within the party, with many members looking for a more dynamic and promising political future.
Deputy governor welcomes defectors
The defection event was not just significant for the departing PDP members but also for the Labour Party, which received the defectors warmly.
Abia’s Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, expressed his excitement over the move, highlighting the positive impact it would have on the Labour Party’s presence in the state, Vanguard reported.
“This is a welcome development. The Labour Party has gained more strength today, and we are excited to have Hon. Ojo and his supporters join us.
“His bold decision will certainly enhance our prospects as we approach the 2027 elections," Emetu said.
Emetu assured Ojo and his supporters that they would be fully integrated into the Labour Party, emphasising that their political structure would be well accommodated.
Major boost for LP in Ohafia
Source: Twitter
The defection of Hon. Ojo and his supporters is seen as a major boost for the Labour Party, particularly in the Ohafia region.
With the 2027 elections looming, the move highlights the shifting political landscape in Abia State, where the Labour Party is increasingly gaining traction.
The defection also signals a weakening of the PDP’s once-dominant influence in the state, with more political figures recognising the Labour Party as a viable alternative in the upcoming election cycle.
PDP chieftain blasts PDP defectors
A senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, David Itopa, has harshly criticized Hon. Sunday Anya Ojo and other party members who recently defected to the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State, describing them as “visionless opportunists who lack political discipline and foresight.”
Speaking with Legit.ng on Sunday, April 20, Itopa said the move was not a loss but rather “a cleansing” of elements that had long lost touch with the ideals and resilience of the PDP.
“Let’s be clear—anyone who jumps ship at the slightest sign of adversity was never truly loyal to the cause. These are visionless politicians who see politics as a marketplace, not a mission,” Itopa said.
He accused the defectors of prioritising personal gain over the collective interest of rebuilding the party and accused them of lacking the stamina to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“The same Labour Party they are rushing to today was non-existent in their vocabulary a few months ago. What they fail to realise is that political tourism won’t earn them the credibility they couldn’t build in PDP,” he added.
Itopa also dismissed claims by Hon. Ojo that the PDP in Abia is “dead,” noting that such comments expose the shallow thinking and desperation of politicians with no real political foundation.
“You don’t kill a party like PDP with press statements or rented crowds. Let’s see how far they go when real elections come—where the people, not noise, decide,” he said.
Abuja municipal chairman dumps PDP for APC
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection was announced on Sunday, April 13, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Kingsley Madaki.
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Source: Legit.ng
