The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has announced that over 3,000 new members from various political parties have joined the All Progressives Congress in Abia State.
The mass defection took place in Ukwa East Local Government Area during an empowerment programme organized by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Addressing a large crowd gathered at the event, which was marked by the iconic broom symbol of the APC, Kalu disclosed that more defections to the party were expected.
He emphasized that the wave of new members was a clear indication of the people’s appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the development of the Igbo people, particularly through the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
In a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu explained that the creation of the SEDC would address the critical infrastructure needs of the South East region. He pointed out that the commission would play a vital role in the region’s development, particularly in terms of rebuilding the damage caused by the Nigerian Civil War.
It is worth noting that Hon. Chris Nkwonta, who recently defected to the APC from the People’s Democratic Party, now chairs the House Committee on South East Development Commission. Kalu praised President Tinubu for his consistent support for the Igbo people, highlighting that Tinubu is the first leader in 54 years to honor the promise of reconstruction, reconciliation, and rehabilitation made to the Igbo.
Kalu assured the new defectors that their decision to join the APC would bring them prosperity, stating that the party had grown closer to the people. He also emphasized that APC’s development-oriented leadership would benefit the entire region, especially Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Abia State, and Igbo land as a whole.
Among the notable defectors were the former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Stanley. Kalu encouraged the new members to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration and assured them of more democracy dividends in the future.
Kalu said: “The President has tried for Ndigbo. He is still trying for Ndigbo. He is the only man that remembered Ndigbo after 54 years that a promise of reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation was made to Ndigbo. He came with the spirit of equity and fairness. He is a leader who believes in development. He signed the bill into law so that the damage caused by the civil war will be rebuilt. As the leader of our party, he has asked us to galvanize the grassroots and bring them closer to the politics of development that he is bringing to the Igbo land.
“For taking this decision to join APC, it shall be well with you. APC has come closer to the people. On behalf of our party, we welcome you. We know who you are and what you are capable of doing. When these caliber of people left PDP and other parties and joined the APC, what again is left? The parties have collapsed. Everybody is here. We will empower you to empower others”.
