January 07, (THEWILL) — A member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action People’s Party (APP).
Ugochinyere announced his defection on Wednesday at a well-attended political gathering held in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, where he formally dumped the PDP, a move that deepens the opposition party’s internal crisis further.
Speaking at the event, the lawmaker stated that the challenges confronting the PDP were self-inflicted, stressing that those who nurtured the crisis within the party are now being consumed by it. He noted that the party’s troubles did not start recently, but dated back to the period he was cleared to contest the House of Representatives election on the PDP platform.
“From the day we declared to contest under the PDP, we began to face problems”, Ugochinyere said, alleging that his political ambition was persistently undermined by internal opposition and sabotage within the party.
He also criticised the PDP leadership over its handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the party of failing to defend its integrity at a critical moment. According to him, a prominent PDP member from the South-East allegedly supported actions that weakened the party for personal gain, a move he described as a betrayal of the party’s founding ideals.
“Today, the monster you enabled is after all of you,” he warned, accusing some party leaders of sacrificing the PDP’s future for selfish interests.
Ugochinyere said that despite years of loyalty and defending the PDP amid internal battles, the party is now being deliberately destroyed by those who ought to protect it. He dismissed insinuations that his defection was driven by fear, insisting that his decision was guided by principle, justice, and the need for purposeful leadership.
“As a lawyer and a defender of justice, should I join people who are directionless and only interested in accessing the vault of their state?” he asked.
Reaffirming his resolve to remain focused, Ugochinyere said he would not be intimidated by political pressures, declaring his commitment to serving his constituents diligently. He urged the people of Ideato North and South to continue to support him as he works to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.
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