The defection, currently underway at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, has attracted prominent political figures from across the South-East, highlighting the political significance of the move.

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, has remained vocal about his ambition to contest for the nation’s highest office and is reportedly seeking a broader political platform to advance that goal.

However, the Governor of Abia State and the only sitting Labour Party governor, Alex Otti, has declined to join the defection, maintaining that he remains a committed member of the Labour Party.

Read Also: “Peter Obi Won’t Be Given LP’s Ticket In 2027” — Abayomi Arabambi

Among those expected to join the ADC alongside Obi are Senators Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), and Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South). Others include Afam Ogene, the federal lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, and several other influential political figures from the region.

Source: TVC

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The development has, however, ignited fears of a one-party state, with opposition leaders condemning the mass movement to the ruling party.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, dismissed the defections as acts of desperation by politicians seeking personal survival.

They declared that the “battle line is drawn,” vowing that Nigerians will “take their pound of flesh” at the polls by voting out President Tinubu APC for allegedly deepening the country’s hardship and decline.

According to reports, top APC officials, who are privy to the ongoing political manoeuvring, say that more governors from the South would soon declare for the ruling party.

Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State and his Bayelsa counterpart defected from the PDP to the APC alongside the members of the State Executive Council.

Diri’s resignation comes just days after the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed concern over the growing number of governors and senior party figures crossing to the APC.

Party insiders hinted that Governors Siminalayi Fubara and Alex Otti of Rivers and Abia States may soon switch to the APC.

Also, Governors Caleb Mutfwang  (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas of Taraba are reportedly warming up to join the Tinubu-led political camp ahead of 2027.

A senior party official disclosed that Otti, Fubara and Diri are set to defect to the APC, noting that several northern governors were equally preparing to join the ruling party.

He stated, “The APC is attracting them all. I am aware that discussions are ongoing with other PDP governors from the South. Soon, the governors of Abia, Rivers, and even Diri, who just resigned from the PDP, will join the APC.

“This development is not limited to the South, as some governors from the North, particularly the North Central and North East, are already finalising talks to join the ruling party.”

Another party insider explained that Kefas and  Muftwang are set to defect to the APC soon.

He stated, “They just want to reduce the influence of the PDP. We are aware they are discussing with the Taraba and Plateau State governors, so they will join others in the APC.”

Read Also: Kwankwaso Dismisses Defection Rumours, Reaffirms Commitment to NNPP

Speaking in Abuja after inaugurating the party’s convention communication sub-committee, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed admitted that the defections had unsettled the party, though he said efforts were ongoing to keep it united ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.

He said, “If you ask me whether I am concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”

Source: Punch

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According to a statement signed by the Labour Party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, Abure was quietly standing in line to board a Max Air flight to Benin when Mama P suddenly pounced on him.

Ifoh said she continued the confrontation onboard, ignoring pleas from flight attendants to calm down, and even carried it on after the flight landed in Benin.

“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all throughout the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her. The assault, which attracted a large number of onlookers, continued on disembarkation at the Benin Airport while she kept recording the scene,” he said.

It reportedly took the intervention of security operatives at the airport to whisk Abure to safety while the woman was handed over to the police.

What shocked the party more was a video later released by the woman, where she allegedly boasted of her connections.

“In one of her films released, the lady claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her, and vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party,’” the statement read.

Read Also: Abure-led LP gives Obi 48 hours to leave party

The party leadership did not hide its anger, calling the incident “a suicidal aggression” against Abure and insisting it was politically motivated.

The Labour Party urged its members not to retaliate but to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of police investigations.

Source: Punch

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In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo clarified that his comments were misrepresented.

He explained that he only stressed the importance of security protocols for high-profile individuals, especially politically exposed persons, visiting the state.

According to the governor, it is within his constitutional duty to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors in Edo State.

He noted that prior notification and security clearance for public engagements by such individuals are necessary to enable the government to provide adequate security and avoid any risks.

“Failure to observe these protocols could pose security threats not just to the visitors, but to citizens who may be affected by any unexpected incidents,” the statement said.

Governor Okpebholo reiterated his commitment to upholding peace and security in the state and emphasised that his intention was solely to ensure safety, not to intimidate or threaten any political figure.

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“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC, but, as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card. I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” she affirmed.

Responding to questions about her confidence in ADC’s leadership and the evolving political coalition she is joining, Kingibe expressed optimism while acknowledging that the party is still in its formative stages.

On whether her defection could cost her Senate seat based on constitutional provisions, the senator argued that the internal crisis and the existence of two clear factions within the Labour Party legally justify her decision to leave.

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Obi was among the frontline politicians who joined the coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress, ADC, using their platform to contest the 2027 poll with the sole objective of unseating President Bola Tinubu.

However, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement, explained that the Labour Party under Abure’s leadership remains vehemently opposed to joining the coalition while dismissing members of the coalition as “power mongers whose only interest was self and not the people.”

The party warned Nigerians that the often mouthed ‘new Nigeria is Possible’ is a ruse and cannot be achieved with the assemblage of old, recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians in the coalition.

According to him, “We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party. We’re also aware that a number of them has refused to defect with him.

“Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition and therefore, any of our members who is part of the coalition is given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party.

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It was reported that Obi, said he is willing to be a one-term president in 2027.

According to him, any candidate from the South elected president in the next election must be prepared to leave office on May 28, 2031, in line with the “unwritten power-sharing agreement” and the zoning principle.

Recall that Obi, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, have formed a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming election.

The coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as the vehicle for its ambition.

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Akpanke linked his defection from the PDP to the protracted crisis, which has defied solution, while Nnamchi also hinged his decision on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party.

The letter of defection of the two lawmakers was read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

Akpanke however expressed appreciation to the PDP for giving him the opportunity to fly its flag, adding the absence of peace in the party has necessitated his decision to move to another party.

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Mohammed said they have a lot of respect and admiration for Obi because of his style of politics, statesmanship, versatile nature, and deep knowledge of the economy and governance.

He added that Obi has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country, adding that it is always a delight to listen to him because of his deep knowledge and mastery of statistics.

The governor further revealed that his meeting with Obi was not the first, as they had met previously in Abuja.

He disclosed that discussions covered a range of national issues, including political challenges in Rivers State and the state of the opposition in Nigeria.

Read Also: BoT backs governors, affirms Ude-Okoye as secretary

Mohammed also stressed his commitment to working with Obi to close ranks and provide a strong and knowledgeable opposition to the ruling party.

Speaking earlier, Obi said his visit to Mohammed was part of wider consultations aimed at addressing Nigeria’s current challenges.

He noted that the state of the nation required him to seek discussions with key leaders, particularly from the North.

Obi also emphasised that tackling poverty was key to addressing insecurity, asserting that when people talk about criminality in Nigeria, especially in the North, the real issue is poverty, until poverty is addressed, criminality cannot be solved.

According to Obi, Nigeria must invest in education and agriculture to lift millions out of poverty and reduce crime.

Obi concluded by stating that his discussions with Mohammed were just beginning and that he hoped to continue engagements on the future of Nigeria.

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He also asserted that the election did not hold in many polling units as electoral materials and officials were nowhere to be found, stressing that many people were left stranded, citing Osogbo Ward 7 Unit 4 as a case.

Babalola also recounted how voting had been concluded and ballot boxes filled up before 9 am at Ward 7 Unit 7 and 16, the same electorates coming down to Ward 7 Unit 4 to vote.

Read Also: Governor Adeleke Swears In Newly Elected Chairmen, Councilor

While commending the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for wanting peace to reign in the land, Babalola opined that the Governor should have looked for ways to resolve the ongoing political tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC instead of going to poll.

Meanwhile, a member of a Committee for Defence of Human Rights, Emmanuel Olowu, who was also an observer in the just concluded election, maintained that he was given election tags and other needed materials for a smooth electioneering process.

Olowu gave his two-cent opinion saying the election did not exhibit true democracy as some polling units were not attended to and there was no sight of any collation centers in the areas he visited.

Also, a caller on the show, Ilyas Musbaudeen, who called from Ore Agbon in the Odo Otin Area of the State, said the election was not held in their neighborhood.

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