Four members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, along with numerous supporters of Peter Obi, have formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The announcement came on Saturday, shortly after Obi officially joined the ADC, a move supporters say signals a major political realignment in the South-East.

The lawmakers involved include Hon. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, the LP caucus leader in the House, Hon. Fred Ezenwa, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue, and Hon. Henry Nigeria Mbachu. Several prominent party figures also joined the exodus, among them former LP State Secretary and Publicity Secretary Barr. Okoli Akirika, Engineer Theo Egbe, and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Harrieta Agbata.

Addressing attendees at the defection event, Umennajiego described the move as just the beginning of a larger wave of departures. “The defections following Obi’s decision to join the ADC will be humongous and tremendous in Anambra State and across the South-East,” he stated, noting that the shift reflects loyalty to Obi’s leadership and political vision.

In his opening remarks, Barrister Okoli Akirika said that similar developments had already unfolded in Enugu State after Obi’s move to the ADC. “Since our leader has joined ADC, we have decided to follow him. When our leader moves, we must move with him,” Akirika explained. He urged members to register formally with the ADC at their respective wards, emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement.

Akirika described the mass defections as a people-driven movement aimed at fostering good governance and preventing the hijacking of party structures.

The meeting’s communiqué was read by Engineer Theo Egbe, former LP State Publicity Secretary, who confirmed that all defectors had officially resigned from the Labour Party both individually and collectively in line with Obi’s decision. Egbe encouraged all defectors to work closely with their ADC ward leadership for proper integration into the party.