Former Senate President, Pius Anyim, and Opposition Party Candidates Defect to APC in Ebonyi
In a significant development, former Senate President, Pius Anyim, alongside former gubernatorial candidates of opposition parties in Ebonyi, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The defectors include Sen. Obinna Ogba, a former Senator and PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2023 general elections, and Edward Nkwegu, a former Labor Party candidate.
The defectors joined the APC during the grand finale of the party’s campaign for the local government elections in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State. Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), defected alongside his supporters, stating that Ebonyi had always been a one political family and the massive defection of opposition members to the party attested to this fact.
In his remarks, Anyim expressed gratitude to former Governor David Umahi for laying the foundation for the party’s growth in Ebonyi. He also praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for his great works and reconciling various political divides in the state.
Anyim emphasized that the defection was not just about him but about the people of Ebonyi, as consultations were widely made before a final resolution was taken. He added that the party’s intention was to collaborate with all federal appointees from the state, including the Minister of Works, Umahi, to support and step down President Bola Tinubu’s life uplifting policies to Ebonyi people.
The APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Governor Nwifuru for sustaining his predecessor’s ideals of enlarging the party in the state and south-east geo-political zone. Ganduje stated that the APC was presently de-marginalising the south-east zone by placing it in the mainstream of national politics.
The minister of Works, David Umahi, thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring the growth of the party in the state and urged Nigerians to support him in making the country great. Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, national officers of the APC, among others.
The development is seen as a significant boost to the APC in the state, which has been working to expand its reach and influence in the region. With this latest defection, the party has demonstrated its ability to attract prominent figures and win over opposition supporters, further strengthening its position in the state.
