From Magnus Eze, Enugu

Ahead of Saturday’s bye-election in Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Ebonyi State, some chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA) and other opposition parties in Afikpo Local Government Area of the state, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors include former chairman of the local government and LP candidate in the 2023 general elections for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, Tony Ekoh, the party’s candidate for Afikpo North West State Constituency, that of Action Alliance for Afikpo North East State Constituency, Ogbonnia Inya and Hilary Egwu, a former council chairman.

They defected during the APC’s rally in Afikpo for the zone’s bye-election to elect Senator David Umahi’s replacement, following his resignation after being appointed as Minister.

The opposition party members were led into the APC by Tony Ekoh.

Addressing the crowd, Ekoh said they went on leave and have decided to return to the APC to join hands with Governor Francis Nwifuru to develop the state.

He boasted that APC would win the bye-election in the local government convincingly despite the fact that the APGA candidate for the election, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje, is from the area.

Receiving the defectors, the State APC Chairman, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, assured them of total accommodation in the party.

He urged them to work for the victory of the party in the bye-election.

Governor Francis Nwifuru while addressing them, expressed happiness on their decision to join the APC which he described as a moving train.

He said he was not perturbed about the election because he knew that the senatorial candidate of the party, Professor Anthony Ani would win.

He warned him against crisis when he gets to the senate, but emulate those that have served the zone in the National Assembly, and those that are still serving and build on their legacies.

“Don’t take us for granted when you get the to the senate. We wronged so many leaders by choosing you as candidate of our party.

“Don’t sleep in anybody’s house, you are a senator of Ebonyi South not anybody. Work with everyone and ensure effective representation for the zone,” he implored Ani.

The governor urged the people of the local government to come out en masse and vote for the party on Saturday.