Member for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo Onuigbo, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onuigbo announced his defection to the APC on Thursday, with Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila announcing it on the floor of the House.
The former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was present at the green chamber during the announcement, even as some members of PDP kicked against the development.
The PDP members demanded that the legislator’s seat be declared vacant.
The news of Onuigbo’s defection became a topical issue in Ibere, Ikwuano, the home of the lawmaker as many of his constituents received the development with shock, even with some PDP faithful describing the defection as a surprise, arguing that the PDP stakeholders were not properly notified before he left the umbrella party.
Some party officials, who converged at the PDP secretariat in Umuahia, Thursday evening, described Onuigbo’s action as asabotage, querying why he should resign on the eve of Abia State Local Government elections which the PDP is hoping to sweep.
But at the APC secretariat in Umuahia, some party officials were seen smiling, saying that the move to win the governorship of the state come 2023 has commenced.
A phone call and text messages sent to immediate past APC Chairman, Chief Donatus Nwankpa for comments yielded neither an answer nor reply as at press time.
Also, the state PDP Chairman, Alwell Asiforo, could not be reached as he was said to be busy about the council polls.
