Whereas aggrieved national leaders of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continue to protest and seek self reversal by the Supreme Court on the ruling that sacked former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, horse-trading is currently intensifying at the floor of the State House of Assembly as nine members from different parties have defected to the new state ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Recall that the Supreme Court had on Tuesday, January 14, removed Governor Emeka Ihedioha on grounds of legalising originally rejected votes by the INEC during the election.
Ever since the judgment that sacked Ihedioha was read, there had been rumours of defection, but the carpet crossing happened emerged Tuesday, one week after the judgment as nine members have joined the APC which originally had no member in the 27-man house.
Before the defections, the standing at the House showed that out of 27 seats, PDP had 13, APGA 6, AA 8 with one remaining outstanding.
Tuesday, 21 January 2020, three PDP members, four AA members, and two APGA members of Imo House of Assembly defected to APC.
However, for the fact that all the defectors are from Orlu zone, conspiracy theory has it that the move may have been in solidarity for their own, who is now the substantive governor of the state.
Business Hilights South East Bureau chief reports that there are strong indications that more defections are expected especially from Okigwe zone considering the fact that one of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s sudden supporters, Chief Ifeanyi Ararume hails from the zone.
Observers say it may be too hard for APC to record many defections from Owerri zone, which had been nursing its loss of the governorship to Orlu zone at the Supreme Court.
List of the early defectors are as follows:
1) Nwangele LGA: Chyna IWUANYANWU PDP – APC
2) Ideato North LGA. Innocent Egwim AA – APC
3) Okigwe LGA: Chidem EMELUMBA PDP – APC
4) Nkwerre LGA : Obinna Okwara AA – APC
5) Onuimo LGA : Paul Emeziem APGA – APC
6) Orsu LGA : Ekene Nnodumele – APGA – APC
7) Ideato South LGA: Duru Johnson is AA – APC
8) Isu LGA: SN Obiefule AA – APC
9) Ohaji-Egbema LGA: Herculus Okoro PDP – APC.
*With this defections, however, PDP is still majority with 10 seats having lost only three as APC rises to second and may pick at least additional two more to from the PDP to assume clear majority in the house within days.
