Imo State lawmaker, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action People’s Party (APP).
Making the announcement in his country home at Akokwa in Ideato North Local Government Area on Wednesday, Ugochinyere said his decision followed repeated failed efforts to revive the PDP in the state.
Recalling the challenges he faced within the party, including multiple court cases initiated against him by fellow PDP members, the lawmaker said, “From the day we started with PDP to this afternoon, we are still in court with our party in a bid to retain a seat they had never won in over fifteen years until we brought victory to them.”
“After surviving these ordeals in the past three to four years, why risk it again?”
He described the party’s treatment of him as insulting, noting that as the only federal lawmaker PDP had in Imo, he faced opposition from within.
“We want to build and earn every vote. That is why we moved to a political party we can develop from scratch, filled with the energy of young people. APP gives us the platform to achieve what we intend to do,” he added.
Ugochinyere also addressed recent controversies involving the Minister of the federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging him to refrain from making disparaging remarks about the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
He warned that any insult directed at the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Azuta Mbata, should be considered an affront to the entire Igbo nation.
“To attack the President General of the Igbo nation is to attack the Igbo people everywhere. Igbos will not tolerate such actions for any reason,” he said.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike and ensure he refrains from denigrating the Igbo.
Ugochinyere noted that the President General, Senator Mbata, has the respect of the Igbo worldwide, describing him as a figure fit to lead the race globally.
The lawmaker also expressed dissatisfaction with the police for inaction regarding individuals arrested over attacks on his residence, some of whom reportedly made confessional statements.
