Abia State PDP Stakeholders Mandate Rep. Nkwonta to Join APC
His exit from the party will benefit the constituency in ways we cannot afford to ignore
In a significant political development, cracks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State have deepened, as key stakeholders from the Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency have called on their representative, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Nkwonta, who represents the constituency in the House of Representatives, is the only PDP member from Abia State in the federal legislature following the 2023 general elections.
At a crucial meeting held in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area on Tuesday, prominent PDP members expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs within the party. According to a communiqué signed by Don Ubani, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, along with John Ajuzieogu, Goodhope Nwagbara, and 37 other party leaders, the stakeholders voiced their disillusionment over what they described as “intractable crises” at the national level of the PDP. They criticized the ongoing internal power struggles between the PDP governors, which they believe are stalling progress within the party.
The leaders also expressed disappointment over the delay in holding the Abia State PDP Congress, a critical event in charting the party’s direction. In their communique, the stakeholders mandated Rep. Nkwonta to immediately sever ties with the PDP and join the APC, arguing that his continued membership in the PDP was harmful to the interests of his constituents.
"Hon. Chris Nkwonta’s affiliation with the PDP is at the detriment of our people. His exit from the party will benefit the constituency in ways we cannot afford to ignore," the communiqué read.
The stakeholders also lamented the poor infrastructural development in their area, pointing out that their affiliation with a fractured opposition party like the PDP had left them at a disadvantage. They acknowledged and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects in Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West, and praised the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for his strong representation in addressing local challenges.
“We will align and holistically support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the stakeholders declared, promising to follow Nkwonta’s lead should he choose to defect to the APC.
The meeting’s resolution highlights the increasing instability within the Abia PDP, especially as the party continues to grapple with leadership disputes at both state and national levels. With the potential defection of a key representative like Nkwonta, the PDP risks losing more ground in Abia State, where political shifts could significantly impact the party’s future influence in the region.
As Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West leaders signal their readiness to join the APC, the political landscape in Abia State appears set for further realignments.
