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Ebonyi PDP Lawmakers Deny Defections Amid Governor Umahi's APC Move

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A group of lawmakers in the Ebonyi Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly has strongly denied any plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the move of Governor Dave Umahi, also a PDP member, to the APC. The lawmakers, led by Senator Sam Egwu, held a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday to counter what they termed "misinformation" about potential defections.

Sam Egwu, the chair of the caucus, stated categorically that not a single member of the Ebonyi State PDP caucus of the National Assembly is leaving the party for the APC. Egwu noted that the major reason given by Umahi for exiting the PDP was now in the public domain, which was that the PDP had not been fair to the people of South East on the issue of zoning the Presidency and Vice Presidency.

The PDP lawmakers considered Umahi's cross-carpeting as "impolitic, indecent and unwise" to give ultimatums and conditionalities in a bid to secure zoning. Egwu highlighted several instances where Umahi, who was elected for two terms under the PDP, had benefited from PDP.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ebonyi PDP lawmakers in the National Assembly categorically denied any plans to defect to the APC.
  • Senator Sam Egwu, the chair of the caucus, stated that not a single member of the Ebonyi State PDP caucus of the National Assembly is leaving the party for the APC.
  • Umahi's move to the APC was considered "impolitic, indecent and unwise" by the PDP lawmakers.
  • The PDP lawmakers supported calls for the South-east to fly the presidential flag of any major political party in 2023.
  • Egwu noted several instances where Umahi, when a PDP member, had benefited from the party.
  • The party leadership was thanked for its prompt action in dissolving the ward, local government, state, and zonal structures of the party in Ebonyi.
  • The PDP leadership also announced the formation of a state caretaker team.
  • The lawmakers expressed their gratitude to teeming members and supporters who remained committed to their membership of the PDP.
  • Present at the news conference were Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate's minority leader; Sen. Obinna Ogba; Senators Mike Nnachi, Sylvester Ogbaga, Igariwey Enwo, Chukwuma Nwazunku, Edwin Anayo, and Livinus Makwe.

Statistics:

  • 2: The number of Senate seats occupied by Ebonyi lawmakers.
  • 5: The number of House of Representatives seats occupied by Ebonyi lawmakers.
  • 3: The number of distinguished Senators from Ebonyi present at the news conference.
  • 8: The number of lawmakers from Ebonyi present at the news conference.
  • 2019: The year in which the lawmakers contested and won elections under the PDP.
  • 2020: The year in which the news conference was held.
  • 2023: The year in which the lawmakers support calls for the South-east to fly the presidential flag of any major political party.

Sources:

  • https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/426591-why-i-dumped-pdp-for-apc-umahi.html
  • https://apc.com.ng/

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