Ex-Speaker of Ebonyi State Switches Parties to APC, Claims Spirits Leading Him Away from PDP for an Extended Period
In a significant political shift, Chukwuma Nwazunku, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and previous representative for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, formally renounced his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pledged allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a ward meeting in Echiaba, Ebonyi Local Government Area.
The high-profile defection, which took place on May 30–31, 2025, was attended by various PDP notables, including Hon. Emeka Otozi, the 2023 Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi North.
Upon welcoming Nwazunku and his supporters, the APC chairman in Ebonyi Local Government Area, Chief Patrick Orogbo, expressed his admiration for their "courageous and strategic" decision. He assured the new entrants of equal opportunities and inclusion within the party framework, emphasizing the APC's commitment to internal democracy and transparency.
Nwazunku revealed that the deteriorating internal unity and diminishing significance within the PDP caused him to depart spiritually, while the impressive achievements of Governor Francis Nwifuru and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration at the national level motivated his choice to align with the APC. He also conceded that while he had physically remained with the PDP, his spirit had long since departed from the party.
Nwazunku pledged to rally his supporters throughout the state to ensure the APC's overwhelming success in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The influx of former PDP stalwarts could strengthen the APC's grassroots organization and electoral prospects in Ebonyi State, although managing internal rivalries will be crucial to avoid factionalism.
Recent months have seen similar defections across Nigeria, with thousands of PDP members in Akwa Ibom State also defecting to the APC, citing marginalization and better prospects under the ruling party. The APC is thus attracting numerous former PDP members, a trend reminiscent of earlier political realignments in Nigerian history.
The loss of influential figures like Nwazunku weakens the PDP's position in Ebonyi State, potentially undermining its ability to mount a strong challenge in future elections. The defections may also signal discontent within the PDP, prompting further realignments ahead of 2027.
- The migration from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by Chukwuma Nwazunku, a former Ebonyi State House of Assembly speaker, has echoed in other regions of Naija, as thousands of PDP members in Akwa Ibom State have also defected, alluding to better prospects under the APC.
- In the realm of politics, the defection of Nwazunku and his supporters to the APC has not only strengthened the APC's grassroots organization and electoral prospects in Ebonyi State, but it also reflects a wider trend reminiscent of earlier political realignments in Nigerian history.
- Nwazunku's decision to align with the APC was not solely based on internal unity issues within the PDP, but also on the impressive achievements of Governor Francis Nwifuru and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration at the national level, as per his statements at the ward meeting in Echiaba, Ebonyi Local Government Area.
- The policy-and-legislation initiatives and general news surrounding Tinubu's administration have been influential in attracting former PDP members like Nwazunku, who pledged to rally his supporters throughout the state to ensure the APC's overwhelming success in the 2027 general elections.
- The war-and-conflicts and internal division that have marred the PDP in recent years have contributed to the ongoing exodus of prominent members such as Nwazunku, potentially undermining the PDP's ability to mount a strong challenge in future elections, thus shifting the political landscape of Naija.
