Over 5,000 Join APC in Enugu Defection Rally

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Monday welcomed over 5,000 new members into the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a political rally in Aku, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area.

Nnaji, accompanied by key APC leaders including the state chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, and federal lawmaker Sunday Umeha, described the defection as a reflection of growing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the state. He criticized the

State government for high taxation, which he said has worsened economic conditions and made the state one of the most expensive in Nigeria.

“Even sachet water sellers pay up to ₦500 daily in taxes,” Nnaji claimed. “If such funds were properly used, we would see better education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the state.”

He also announced plans for more federal appointments and infrastructure projects, and urged the state residents to support the APC in the 2027 elections, adding that the party is now restructured and ready to challenge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

State APC chairman Agballah thanked President Tinubu for initiating major federal road projects in the state, including the dualization of the Ninth Mile–Opi–Makurdi road. He blamed years of PDP dominance for Enugu’s infrastructure decay and promised that the APC would deliver better governance.

House of Representatives member Hon. Sunday Umeha echoed this sentiment, predicting that the APC would win the Enugu State governorship in 2027. “We are committed to aligning Enugu fully with the federal government,” he said.

Speaking for the defectors, former APGA candidate Engr. Celestine Attah cited recent federal appointments and infrastructure projects as reasons for their move to the APC, adding that the rally marks the beginning of the party’s plan to take over governance in the state.