A mass defection has hit Ward 11 in Obingwa Local Government (LGA) of Abia with the leaders and members from the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Zenith Labour Party and others joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors pledged their unalloyed support for Mr. Justice Ogbonna, who declared his intention to run for the Obingwa East State Constituency in Abia House of Assembly on the platform of APC come 2027.
The APC Chairman in Obingwa LGA, Mr. Uzoma Ekeuka, formally acknowledged the defectors during a colourful ceremony on Monday at Abala Ibeme, the country home of Ogbonna.
In a speech, Ekeuka expressed excitement over the impressive number of supporters that decided to join APC because of Ogbonna.
The chairman who described APC as one large family, assured the defectors of a level playing ground, even as he urged them to commit to the party’s goals and values.
“We are proud and happy to have someone like Ogbonna in our party, who has declared his intention to contest for Obingwa East in Abia State House of Assembly.
“We encourage him just as we encourage any other aspirant and if he becomes a candidate we will support him,” Ekeuka said.
Also, APC Leader in Obingwa LGA, Chief Godwin Nna, commended the defectors and urged them to show more strength and commitment in the race.
He described Ogbonna as a man of the people who had touched many lives through his Justice and Brenda Ogbonna Foundation (JBOF), especially those in marginalised communities.
Nna said that it was the turn of Ward 8 and 11, to contest for the Abia Assembly seat, following the political arrangement in Obingwa East as Ward 7, 9 and 10 already had their share.
In his remarks, Ogbonna, warmly welcomed the defectors, assuring them of inclusive leadership, opportunities for active participation, and a new era of genuine representation.
He called on all members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure that the voice of the party echoes in every household across the ward.
“This is not just a defection; it is a clear sign that the people of Ibeme Ward 11 are tired of failed promises, economic hardship, and leadership without direction.
“President Bola Tinubu remains the beacon of hope, unity, and the true progress that the good people of Abia deserve,” he declared.
Ogbonna said that he was bringing a new spirit to the House, to encourage his people, to make policies that have direct bearing to the development and improvement of welfare of people in Agalaba and in Abia in general.
He continued : “I believe that the essence of government is to bring welfare, security to the people and to foster social mobility, to eradicate poverty, educate our people and bring about infrastructural development.
“A lot of people are suffering because of poverty and nothing to assist in their micro-economy.
“So, I am bringing a programme that especially to support the federal government in providing money seed.
“That is a kind of grant, interest-free grant that will help traders, that will help entrepreneurs, that will help farmers to up their games in their businesses so as to help their families.”
Ogbonna disclosed that he had through JBOF uplifted and empowered many people including students and widows in Agalaba.
“We gave school materials to over 8,000 pupils in Agalaba and we are giving widows opportunities to do their businesses by giving them seed money.
“We have built houses for widows, giving scholarships even to the tertiary level and right now, has produced one graduate from the programme,” he said.
