Enugu Rep Chimaobi Sam Atu Dumps Labour Party for APC Amid Political Realignments
In another major shakeup within the Nigerian political landscape, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, the member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read out a letter from the lawmaker confirming his switch in party allegiance. The defection marks a significant political shift in the Southeast and comes amid broader realignments in the federal legislature.
In his letter to the House, Hon. Atu cited persistent leadership crises within the Labour Party as the reason for his departure. According to him, internal wrangling had paralyzed effective decision-making and undermined the party’s structure both at the national and state levels, thereby affecting his ability to deliver on the mandate given to him by his constituents.
“The internal crisis in the Labour Party has made it difficult for me to serve my people under the party platform. I believe that aligning with the All Progressives Congress will enable me to better represent the interests of my constituents,” Atu stated.
The lawmaker also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly its commitment to developing the Southeast region through initiatives such as the proposed Southeast Development Commission. He said the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” had shown a strong sense of inclusion and national integration, which influenced his decision to join the APC.
However, the defection was not without immediate resistance. The Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Ali Isa, raised a point of order, demanding that Hon. Atu’s seat be declared vacant on the grounds that he had no justifiable constitutional reason for defecting. Speaker Abbas acknowledged the point but deferred any ruling on the matter, leaving the situation pending further deliberation.
Atu’s switch to the APC is part of a growing trend of defections to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Earlier in the week, Hon. Peter Akpanke of Cross River State and Hon. Paul Nnamchi from Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency also announced their move to the APC, citing similar reasons of dissatisfaction with their former parties and support for the current administration’s policies.
With this latest development, the APC further strengthens its presence in the Southeast, an area traditionally dominated by opposition parties. Political observers see the wave of defections as part of a strategic repositioning by lawmakers seeking relevance and influence ahead of future contests.
As the political dust settles, attention now turns to how Hon. Atu’s constituents will react to the defection, especially given the Labour Party’s strong showing in the region during the 2023 elections. Meanwhile, the APC continues to consolidate power in preparation for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election cycle.
