From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Two members of the Young People’s Party (YPP) in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon Fyne Ahuama, have defected to the ruling Labour Party (LP).
Their defection followed a letter from the YPP state chairman accusing them of “anti-party activities” and their subsequent expulsion from the party. The letter also stated that they had openly supported the administration of Governor Alex Otti and sought refuge in the Labour Party.
Both lawmakers pledged their support for the Otti administration and praised the Labour Party’s commitment to justice and fair play.
With this defection, the Labour Party now holds a majority in the 24-member House of Assembly, surpassing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The YPP National Chairman, Bishop Amakiri, expressed surprise at the defection, stating that there was no crisis within the party to justify such a move. He vowed to recover the YPP mandate if the defection was confirmed.
A chieftain of the YPP in Abia also denied the existence of any crisis that could have led to the defection. He claimed that the alleged suspension of the lawmakers was a ploy to facilitate their planned defection to the Labour Party.