Ex-Ikpeazu aide dumps PDP for APC

Hon. Uchenna Erondu, the representative for Obingwa West State Constituency in the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, has officially left the People Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Erondu, known for his recent empowerment initiatives and medical donations to his constituents worth millions of naira, previously served as Commissioner for Special Duties under former Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He was elected to the Abia State Assembly in 2023 to represent the people of Obingwa West.

The defection of Hon. Erondu gathered momentum at the weekend during his meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The lawmaker’s defection took place on Tuesday, at the Nenu, Obingwa local government area, country home of a former Deputy Governor of the state and the immediate Abia State Commissioner at Revenue Allocation and Fiscal Mobilization (RAMFAC), Comrade Chris Akomas.

While rumours had it that the movement of Erondu into the APC is an indication that the former Governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, may join the APC, sources close to the former Governor confirmed to The Nation that Ikpeazu would not be leaving the PDP, despite the decision of Erondu, who is considered to be the strong ally of Ikpeazu, to join the APC.

The defection of Erondu is coming about 48 hours after the PDP lawmaker representing Aba North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Aaron Uzodike, defected to the APC at a stakeholders meeting held in Bende country home of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the weekend.

The defection of Erondu, many have said, would mark the death of the PDP in Obingwa, as the person considered to be a major financier of the party in the local government leaves the party.

Political stakeholders who have been monitoring political developments in the state said that the decision of Hon. Erondu to join the APC would boost the presence of the party in Obingwa, one of the local governments with the highest number of votes, where the party scored less in the last election.

“Remember that Erondu worked for Chris Akomas in the 2010 general election. He was one of his (Akomas) staunch supporters. At the last empowerment he did, you saw the role that Akomas played.

“Ikpeazu is a member of the G5 Governors who have been working for the Minister of FCT. As long as Wike remains in the PDP, He (Ikpeazu) is going nowhere. They are the spoilers for the PDP and game changers for the APC. Anyone thinking he will join the APC is just wasting his time.

“The governor of the state should be aware that the game of 2027 is taking a new turn. Those promising him that they will deliver him in Obingwa should equally know that it will be harder than what was obtainable in the last election.

“The earlier they resolve the lingering issues in the Labour Party, the better for him and any of the political parties that will be running his re-election campaign.

“This will equally show that the consultations and closed-door meetings Benjamin Kalu is doing are yielding benefits,” says Mr. Gilbert Nwoke.