The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State recorded a major political breakthrough on Saturday as over 5,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) defected to the ruling party.
The mass defection took place during a rally in Aku, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area and was led by Celestine Attah, a former House of Assembly candidate under APGA. Attah officially handed over thousands of his supporters and political allies to the APC, marking a significant shift in Enugu’s political landscape.
Top APC leaders at the event included the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Enugu APC Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah; member representing Udi-Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Sunday Umeha; and DG of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike Muonso.
Speaking at the rally, Chief Nnaji said the overwhelming turnout showed growing support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Enugu, despite years of PDP dominance. He criticized the current state administration for what he described as oppressive taxation and mismanagement of public resources.
“Enugu is a civil service town, yet it’s the second most expensive city in Nigeria because even hawkers and sachet water sellers are taxed heavily. If these funds were properly utilized, we’d have better schools, healthcare, and infrastructure,” he said.
Nnaji praised Attah for collapsing his political structure into the APC and vowed to ensure more federal presence and youth employment opportunities in the state. He declared the APC ready to take over power in 2027.
APC State Chairman, Chief Agballah, also took aim at past administrations, accusing them of neglecting Igbo-Etiti despite years of loyalty. He applauded the Tinubu government for initiating key infrastructure like the dualisation of the Ninth Mile–Opi–Makurdi road, and pledged that the APC would restore Enugu’s lost glory.
“For 26 years, the PDP held our people hostage. Enugu used to be number one in the Southeast but now it’s trailing behind. APC will change that through progressive and high-performing governance,” Agballah asserted.
On behalf of the APC House of Reps caucus from Enugu, Sunday Umeha echoed the party’s confidence in winning the 2027 elections.
“We will take over the Lion Building. I may not know how it will happen, but I know it will happen,” he said, referencing the Enugu State Government House. Umeha credited Chief Uche Nnaji’s leadership for uniting the party and aligning the state with the federal government.
In his remarks, Celestine Attah said the decision to defect was driven by the visible federal interventions under President Tinubu’s administration. He cited the appointment of an Enugu indigene as Chief of Naval Staff, the creation of a naval base in Uzo-Uwani, the appointment of another as UNN Vice Chancellor, and the ongoing road projects as key motivators.
“Our people are beginning to see real inclusion, not promises. That’s why we’re embracing this new direction,” Attah said.
The rally ended with chants of support for the APC, as party leaders promised an intensified grassroots campaign toward capturing Enugu in the 2027 general elections.
