By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Spokesman of the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation (SAUGCO), Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has described the defection of key federal and state lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a pointer that its candidate, Senator Andy Uba and the party will emerge winners of the November 6, 2021 gubernatorial elections.
He said this in a reaction to the defection of Anambra members of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
They were received into the party by the acting National Chairman of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Ogene, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, said Senator Andy Uba’s campaign was “quite upbeat following the gale of defections to the party’s fold,” pointing out that as persons closest to the grassroots, each new entrant possessed immense electoral value in their various strongholds.
He added: “Each defector, having felt the pulse of ndi Anambra and realised that Senator Andy Uba was already on the great highway to victory, decided to align their constituents and constituencies in the struggle to rescue the state from the governance ineptitude of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“Elections are about people and when you see people who hold the mandates of their various constituencies decide to dump their former parties for another based on the electoral appeal of a particular candidate, then one’s reaction should be quite positive.
“These lawmakers defecting to the APC you will also agree possess huge levels of political capital, as well as generous experience when it comes to electioneering and swinging of votes; experiences which would surely come in handy in the collective effort to enthrone an APC-led administration next year,” Hon. Ogene said.
The defectors include a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, Hon. Chris Azubogu.
His ambition was cut short by the emergence of Valentine Ozigbo as the flagbearer of the PDP at the governorship primary election.
Another high profile Reps member is Hon. Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu (PDP, Onitsha North/South), who has served 3 terms in the House.
Also, the Anambra governorship aspirant on the platform of APGA, Hon. Okwudili Ezenwakwo (APGA Orumba North/South), jumped ship. He is a serving member of the House of Representatives.
Others are Vin Ofumelu (Ayamelum) and Chudi Momah (Ihiala).
For State Assembly, the 2 members who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC are Douglas Egbuna (Onitsha South) and Onyebuchi Offor (Ekwusigo).
In Ihiala Federal Constituency, ex-Member Chuma Nzeribe received a warm welcome as he joined the APC family. He was received by the APC secretary, Mr. Jonathan Ezikeugo, who represented the Local Government Chairman.
Hon. Nzeribe pledged to bring all his expertise and experience in politics to bear in ensuring that APC wins the November 6 Anambra State gubernatorial election.
The former Councillor of Amamu B Ward was among those received into the APC fold.