The immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, has officially joined the Labour Party (LP) alongside his supporters and political structures across Abia North and the state. His defection was marked by a grand reception on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Etitiama Primary School, Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government Area.
Receiving Oko Chukwu and his supporters, Governor Alex Otti assured them of equal rights and privileges within the party. He emphasized that LP does not discriminate between old and new members.
“As soon as you are a member of the party, you have equal rights and opportunities… There is no difference between those who joined earlier and those who are joining today,” Gov. Otti declared.
The Governor also announced the award of a contract for the reconstruction of the Abiriba–Nkporo Road, a critical infrastructure project for the community. He further reiterated his administration’s commitment to quality roads, smart schools, and inclusive governance, stressing that education remains the most valuable gift the government can give to the next generation.
In his remarks, Oko Chukwu explained that his decision was driven by Governor Otti’s visible reforms and sincerity in governance. Declaring that the PDP in Abia has “closed shop,” the former Deputy Governor said he was handing over his Abia Vision Rangers pro-group to the LP.
“You have made an enormous difference… The fact of the matter is that today, we can proudly raise our shoulders and say we are Abians,” Oko Chukwu affirmed.
The Acting State Chairman of the LP, Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti, attributed the mass defection to the Governor’s performance, noting that from Abia North to Abia South, visible development projects have restored confidence in governance.
Other defectors, including the PDP Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Chief Egesigh Eze Azu, former PDP State Woman Leader Christie Emenike, and former Arochukwu LGA Chairman Princely Kingsley Ngunu, echoed similar sentiments. They hailed Otti for spreading development equitably and declared that there was “no vacancy in Abia Government House come 2027.”
The event also featured the presentation of the LP flag to Oko Chukwu and was attended by top government functionaries, including Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, and other dignitaries.
The defection of a former Deputy Governor is not only a blow to the PDP but also a major boost to Labour Party’s consolidation in Abia State. With Otti’s administration enjoying popular support, defections of heavyweight politicians suggest that the LP is positioning itself as the dominant political force ahead of 2027.
This realignment highlights a recurring trend in Nigerian politics where politicians gravitate towards ruling parties at the state level to secure relevance, patronage, and influence. For Abia, the Labour Party’s growing strength may reshape the political landscape, with PDP—once the dominant force—now weakened by internal cracks and high-profile exits.
Across Nigeria, defections remain a central feature of party politics, often reflecting the pursuit of political survival rather than strict ideological loyalty. As states experience reforms or failures, political figures switch allegiance to align with perceived “winning” sides.
In Abia, Governor Otti’s performance-driven leadership appears to be setting a new benchmark for accountability and inclusiveness, drawing politicians and citizens alike toward the LP. If sustained, this could gradually redefine politics in the state from personality-driven to performance-based governance.
The entry of Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu into the Labour Party underscores a seismic shift in Abia’s political terrain. For Governor Otti, it is both a validation of his leadership and a challenge to sustain the momentum that has made the LP attractive.
For citizens, the real measure of this realignment will not be in political rallies or defections but in roads that last, schools that function, healthcare that works, and governance that empowers communities.
If the Labour Party continues on its current trajectory, Abia may well emerge as a model for issue-based politics in Nigeria, where performance, not party patronage, determines allegiance.
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