Deputy Speaker Urges Abia Lawmaker to Defect to APC, Back Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has publicly called on Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Kalu made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Erondu, framing the move as essential for contributing to national development under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership ahead of the 2027 re-election campaign.
Kalu suggested that Erondu’s tenure in the opposition PDP had reached its natural conclusion, urging him to bring his political structure and supporters into the APC. He emphasized that the APC offers a broader national platform for political actors and development initiatives. The Deputy Speaker’s visit coincided with Erondu’s empowerment programme for constituents in Obingwa Council, an event Kalu said he had intended to attend earlier but was unable to due to official commitments in Abuja.
During their meeting, Kalu referenced their shared political history, noting they served concurrently as local government chairmen in their early careers. He praised Erondu’s recent empowerment efforts, describing them as evidence of genuine constituent service. “For a House of Assembly member to do what you did, it means you love your constituents,” Kalu remarked, while urging the people of Obingwa West to continue supporting their representative.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted Erondu’s alignment with the “Renewed Hope Partners,” a grassroots coalition promoting President Tinubu’s policy agenda. He positioned the entreaty as part of a larger strategy to solidify support for the president’s re-election bid, particularly in regions considered opposition strongholds.
Erondu Uchenna Erondu, who represents Obingwa West Constituency, has not yet publicly responded to the defection call. The appeal underscores the APC’s ongoing efforts to attract seasoned politicians from rival parties as it gears up for the 2027 general election. Political observers note that high-profile defections, especially from a state legislature in the Southeast, could signal shifting alliances and bolster the ruling party’s grassroots network in a region where it has historically faced challenges. The next step will be whether Erondu formally switches allegiance, a decision that could influence other state-level lawmakers in Abia and beyond.
