From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo

Loyalists of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, last Saturday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Those defected included a former two  term House of Representatives member, Livinus Makwe, former House of Assembly member, Oliver Osi and deputy governorship candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election in the state, Aja Nwabueze.

Also, leaders and members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), National Rescue Movement (NRM) and other opposition parties in the local government joined the ruling party.

They were received into the APC by  the state Chairman of the party, Stanley Emegha, supported by the Chairman of Ivo council, Emmanuel Ajah.

Ajah said the  defectors decided to join the APC because of the cohesion in the party and performance of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

He assured them they would be carried along in the scheme of things.

“The defectors are coming into APC because of the good work of our governor. Government is a big institution and APC is large enough to accommodate everyone. We are one big family, we are united. We will give you your due in the party, we will carry you along in everything we do,” he said.

Makwe, who spoke on behalf of PDP defectors, said they were coming into the APC to strengthen and add value to the party.

He said they dumped PDP because the party jettisoned zoning during the 2023 general election.

He commended the local government chairman for restoring peace in the area.

Nwabueze and Chairman of NRM in the local government, Orji Joseph, said they were attracted to the APC because of Nwifuru’s style of leadership which they said has united the state.

Emegha enjoined those who are already in the party not to see the defectors as those coming to displace them.

“Do not be afraid of competition, it is only competition that can bring out your best. Nobody has come to dislodge anybody in the party.

“I am happy leaders of opposition parties in Ivo have joined APC. With these people, no more opposition in Ivo,” he said.

He called for continued unity and peace in the party and assured the party will not segregate against anyone.