Political Tsunami as All Enugu House of Representatives Members Defect to APC

In a dramatic political realignment that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s Southeast region, all members of the Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers announced their decision during Thursday’s plenary session at the National Assembly in Abuja, where the Speaker of the House read their formal letters of defection on the floor The lawmakers—Chidi Obetta, Anayo Onwuegbu, Martins Okeh, Nnolim Nnaji, and Dennis Agbo—said their decision was driven by internal crises and leadership tussles within their former parties, as well as the desire to align with the APC-led federal government’s policies and vision. Their defection marks a major blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, which previously dominated Enugu’s political landscape. With this move, Enugu historically known as a stronghold of the opposition has witnessed a rare political shift that analysts say could reshape the region’s political trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defecting lawmakers were immediately welcomed by the APC leadership, who hailed the development as a sign of growing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its renewed push for national inclusion Reacting to the defection, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, commended the lawmakers for their “courage to align with progress and national unity.” He added that their decision reflects the expanding influence of the APC across the Southeast, a region that had long resisted the party’s presence In Enugu, reactions have been divided. Supporters of the APC described the defections as “the dawn of a new political reality,” while loyalists of the PDP and Labour Party expressed disappointment, accusing the lawmakers of betrayal and opportunism. Some opposition members vowed to reclaim their mandates through legal and political means, insisting that the defectors no longer represent the will of the electorate that voted them in under their former party banners Political observers note that this mass defection further consolidates APC’s strength in the House of Representatives, potentially giving the ruling party a firmer grip on key legislative decisions. The development is also expected to influence local political alignments in Enugu State, as attention now turns to whether other state and federal officeholders will follow the same path The Enugu defections add to the growing wave of cross-party movements seen in recent months across Nigeria’s political landscape, as politicians reposition themselves in anticipation of future elections and shifts in federal influence. While the APC celebrates this development as a victory, it has also sparked a renewed debate about party loyalty, governance integrity, and the fluid nature of Nigerian politics.