Get Guardian on GoogleA member of the House of Representatives, Chimaobi Sam Atu, representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atu announced his defection in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, which was read during plenary on Thursday.
The lawmaker attributed his decision to unresolved internal crises within the Labour Party and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to the Southeast.
He added that his move to the APC was influenced by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, hailing the President’s attention to the Southeast through efforts such as the proposed Southeast Development Commission.
He said, “I write to inform the people’s speaker and my honourable colleagues that I formally resign my membership of the Labour Party after consultations with my constituents and critical stakeholders.
“I have therefore moved to the All Progressive Congress effective today. This decision was necessitated by the persistent internal crisis plaguing the Labour Party, both at the national level and within the state chapter, which has hindered the party’s capacity to provide the focused leadership my people deserve.
“While I remain sincerely grateful to the Labour Party for the platform it provided in the course of my political journey, I’m compelled to move forward in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR. His administration’s demonstrable commitment to the development of the Southeast region, particularly through initiatives like the Southeast Development Commission, aligns with the aspirations of my constituents.”
His defection adds to the growing number of opposition lawmakers who have crossed over to the ruling party amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Tuesday, Prof. Paul Nnamchi, a member of the Labour Party representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State, announced his defection to the APC.
He was joined by Peter Akpanke of Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency of Cross River State, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling party.
