Ahead of the 2027 general elections, more than 200 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, declaring their support for the party’s candidate for the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Comrade Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu.
The defectors, led by Mr John Ekpoma, announced their defection on Wednesday at Egwu’s country home in Abina, Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, where they pledged to deploy their grassroots networks and political structures towards the PDP’s campaign ahead of the elections.
Ekpoma, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, said their decision was a deliberate political choice informed by their assessment of the prevailing political realities and their desire to identify with what they described as a more credible platform for effective representation.
He said the defectors were not joining the PDP merely to swell its membership, but were prepared to participate actively in the mobilisation and organisation of the party from the polling-unit and ward levels.
“We are not here merely to announce our defection. We are here to work. We are here to mobilise our people from the grassroots and support Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu for the House of Representatives.
“We have taken this decision after careful consideration. We believe that the PDP remains a platform through which we can participate meaningfully in politics and contribute to the development of our communities,” Ekpoma said.
He urged the new PDP members to remain united and work within the existing structures of the party, saying their objective was to strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Receiving the defectors, Egwu said their decision had demonstrated that the PDP remained alive and capable of attracting new members ahead of the next electoral cycle.
He appealed to party leaders, members and support groups to close ranks and work together, warning against factionalism and internal divisions that could undermine the party’s grassroots mobilisation.
Egwu said, “People are making the PDP proud. Wherever our leaders are, they will be happy to know that the PDP is alive and well.
“We must continue to synergise, unite and reason together. There should be no separation and no division. All support groups must work with the party executives because we are working for one objective.”
The PDP candidate also promised that, if elected, he would pursue effective representation through collaboration with relevant stakeholders at the National Assembly and other levels of government, with emphasis on development and initiatives capable of improving the welfare of constituents.
He said representation should translate into tangible benefits for the people, particularly in the areas of empowerment, infrastructure, human capital development and economic opportunities.
Earlier, the PDP Chairman of Ndufu Amagu Ward 2, Pastor Ebenezer Oshine, declared that the ward remained committed to the PDP and would mobilise its members to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
Oshine said the party would deepen its advocacy for free education, infrastructure development and economic transformation, urging residents to participate actively in the electoral process.
Also speaking, Chief E.A. Chukwu urged the people of the state to support the PDP, saying the party was rebuilding its grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
The speakers further urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and exercise their civic responsibility at the polls.
They also commended the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, for what they described as his commitment to human development and empowerment, urging party members to sustain grassroots mobilisation across the state.
The defection brings fresh political activity to the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, as parties and their supporters intensify grassroots engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
