The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has recorded a major political boost with the defection of Hon. Sunday Umeha, the lawmaker representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Umeha, who was elected under the Labour Party (LP) platform, announced his switch to the APC during a mini-rally held over the weekend in Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South Local Government Area.
Umeha’s defection was accompanied by a mass exodus from the LP, as prominent businessman and Labour Party financier in Igboeze South, Chief Joshua Ogbonna, popularly known as “Father Father,” led over 1,000 members—including the party’s local government and ward structures—into the APC.
Though the rally took place outside his constituency, Umeha stated that he attended in solidarity with Chief Ogbonna, adding that a separate event to officially welcome him into APC in his own local government, Ezeagu, would soon follow.
Umeha revealed he had already resigned from the Labour Party and registered with the APC in his ward. Citing deep divisions within LP at both national and state levels, he said the move was necessary “to connect to the centre and bring our people closer to federal opportunities.”
According to the lawmaker, the APC has delivered more to the South-East region than the PDP ever did, referencing key infrastructural projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways, as well as the Second Niger Bridge.
Umeha becomes the first elected APC federal lawmaker from Enugu State since the party’s formation in 2014.
Speaking on behalf of the APC Leader in Enugu and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the party’s former deputy governorship candidate Barr. George Ogara hailed the defections as a historic shift in the political landscape. “This is the time to take back power from those who have misused it to oppress the people. The number of defectors here today is unprecedented,” he said.
Receiving the new members, Enugu APC Chairman Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah said the party is positioning itself to unseat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027. He decried the PDP’s 26-year dominance, alleging high taxation, forced demolitions, and land seizures under its governance.
Agballah praised Barr. Peter Okonkwo of Nsukka LGA for his contribution to the party, including the donation of a zonal campaign office and facilitating the collapse of LP structures in Igboeze South.
“This is not just a defection. It is a total collapse of the LP in this area,” Agballah declared, as he presented party symbols including the broom and APC flag to the defectors. “With this broom, we will sweep away the forces that have held Enugu hostage and bring good governance to our people.”
In his remarks, Chief Ogbonna recounted the efforts by opponents to thwart their movement, including the seizure of buses arranged for the rally. “That didn’t stop us. We came on commercial motorcycles. We are more than 1,000 strong today and ready to begin the work of transforming Igboeze South, ward by ward.”
He assured that Igboeze South would be a key battleground in the APC’s resurgence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
