From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
Chairman of Labour party (LP) in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Chinedu Nwokposhi, has dumped the party,and announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwokposhi defected into the ruling party on Sunday with over 15,000 supporters of Labour Party in his Ishinkwo Ukawu ward
Addressing the APC family in his ward during a mini rally to welcome him into the APC, which held at his Ukawu community, Nwokposhi, who is a former Coordinator of Ukaba Development Centre said he left the Labour party because the party lacked direction and focus.
He added that he was motivated to join the APC because of his resolve to support the election of Governor David Umahi as the next Senator for Ebonyi South and Chief Francis Nwifuru, as the next Governor of Ebonyi State.
Receiving the defectors on behalf of the APC leadership in the state , the Chairman of Onicha local government Council, Chief Chidiebere Uzor, commended them for taking the decision to join the APC, adding that only the ruling APC has the capacity to win elections in the state.
He assured them that they will be carried along in the scheme of things even as he urged them to work assiduously for the victory of Governor David Umahi and Chief Francis Nwifuru, and all the APC candidates during the forthcoming elections.
” It is my pleasure to welcome you into the greatest political party in Africa, the All Progressives Congress (APC). In APC, we are one, happy and united political party working for the progress of Ebonyi State and Nigeria in general.
“As you can see, in Ebonyi State under our amiable and very performing Governor, APC stands for infrastructural development, human capital development, economic prosperity and security of lives and property etc.
“That is why the entire Ebonyi people are clamouring for continuity and consolidation through the equitable candidature of Chief Francis Nwifuru.
“I enjoin you therefore, to work assiduously for the victory of the Governor ,who is going to represent Ebonyi and the entire South East in the senate, Chief Francis Nwifuru as the next Governor of Ebonyi State, and of course, Felix Igboke, as the next member of the House of Representatives for Ohaozara/Onicha) Ivo Federal Constituency.
” I assure you on behalf of the leaders of APC in the state that you all will be carried along in every thing we are doing or benefiting as party members” he said.
In a reaction, the Labour party announced Nwokposhi’s removal as the Chairman of the party in Onicha local government area.
Secretary of the party in the area, Daniel Igodo, in a statement on Sunday, said he was removed for insubordination, misconduct and manifest lack of dedication to his duties.
According to him “this is to inform all Labour party executives, members, supporters of the party and the general public that Hon. Chinedu Nwokposi is now removed as the Onicha Local Government Labour party Chairman.
“This is coming forth due to manifest insubordination, misconduct, dishonesty and lack of dedication from the now removed Local Government party Chairman.
“It’s on records that the erstwhile Chairman misappropriated fund meant for logistics within the local government for our Presidential Campaign rally in the state and other logistics fund budgeted for meetings within Ukawu and other parts of the Onicha Local Government Area”