A lawmaker in Nigeria’s Abia State has defected from the main opposition party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), altering the composition of the state House of Assembly. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., who represents the Obingwa-West constituency, announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.
The formal induction ceremony was held in Nenu, Obingwa Local Government Area, attended by former Deputy Governor Chris Akomas and other senior APC figures. Speaking at the event, Erondu, a former local council chairman, said he moved with approximately 5,000 supporters, asserting that the switch would benefit his constituency and the broader Abia State. He pledged to continue effective representation and called on residents of Obingwa, Abia, the South-East region, and Nigeria to support the APC.
Erondu also declared absolute support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, describing the president’s reform agenda as bold and essential for Nigeria’s future development. His defection follows persistent recruitment efforts by prominent APC members, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
Former Deputy Governor Akomas, now a key APC figure in the state, welcomed Erondu Jr. as a “priceless political asset” for the party in Abia. The move has immediate implications for the Abia State House of Assembly. Prior to this defection, the PDP held a plurality with three members, while the APC had one. With Erondu’s switch, the APC’s count rises to three lawmakers, reducing the PDP to just two members in the 24-member House.
This shift strengthens the APC’s position in a state historically dominated by the PDP and signals ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general election cycle. Erondu’s stated commitment to campaigning for President Tinubu underscores the national dimension of the defection, linking local political moves to federal-level strategy. The development highlights the fluidity of Nigeria’s multi-party system and the continuous efforts by parties to consolidate legislative support ahead of future elections.
