By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Numerical strength of the Labour Party in the Enugu State House of Assembly suffered a major blow as six members of the party defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The lawmakers attributed their defections to the “existence of irreconcilable division, an ongoing crisis within the Labour Party at the national level, and across all the state chapters”.
The defected lawmakers are: Ejike Eze, Igbo-Eze North 1; Johnson Ugwu, Enugu North; Princess Ugwu, Enugu South Rural; Pius Ezeugwu, Nsukka West; Amuka Williams, Igbo-Etiti East; and Osita Eze Oji River.
Their defection was announced during the plenary on Thursday, 28 March, 2024 in Enugu, in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Uche Ugwu, at the Assembly Legislative Complex.
“Regrettably, the party has evolved into a state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles, thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people,” they said.
They noted that the LP “once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas” has “regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of electorates.”
The defectors expressed their optimism, that their new party, PDP, would give them the platform to serve their people.
The LP crisis took another dimension following an alleged takeover of the party’s administration by its Board of Trustees.
The move comes hours after the National Chairman, Julius Abure, was re-elected at the party’s national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday, 27 March, 2024.
The convention also saw all members of the National Working Committee returned.
