PDP in Trouble, As Excos, Members Decamp to LP in Nnewi South, Collapse Structure

By Izunna Okafor

It was an uncommon manifestation of spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, as the executives and members of the People's Democractic Party (PDP) in Nnewi South Local Area of Anambra allegedly dumped the party and decamped to Labour Party (LP), in support of the Chief Obiora Agbasimelo, the candidate of the party ahead of the November 6 governorship election in the state.

The well-attended event of decamping and reception held in Ezinifite, Nnewi South, which is also the hometown of the Labour Party's flagbearer, Chief Agbasimelo and his philanthropic brother, Chief Godwin Agbasimelo, popularly known as Oga Ndi Oga. It also had the executives and members of the both parties in attendance.

Announcing the decamping, the PDP Chairman in the Nnewi South, Chief Alphonsus Ofoke, and the PDP Ward Leader in Ezinifite Ward 1, Chief Obadiah Obiaku said their decamping and consequent collapsing of their structure in support of Labour Party was informed by their understanding that voting should be for candidate and not necessarily for party, as they have found a worthy and more prospective and reliable candidate  in Labour Party, who is also from the same local government with them.

They also hinted that their former party, the disorganised People's Democractic Party did not favour or 'do them well' and has no known candidate, thereby making them see more reasons to decamp to the new party and declare their support to a known candidate, rather than wallow in illusion. 

They further declared their loyalty to the Labour Party and its leadership, even as they assured that the entire leaders and members of PDP in all the 20 political wards of the local government area would vote for Labour Party and their brother, Chief Agbasimelo, come November 6, maka na ọ naghị adị mma ịhapụ egwụ n'ụlọ gbaa n'ama. Ọ naghị adịkwa mma a hụchaa ebe a na-echi ọzọ, e jebe ebe a na-arụ agwụ.

Receiving them into Labour Party, the standard bearer of Labour Party for the 2021 Anambra guber election, Chief Obiora Agbasimelo hailed their courage to dump the old party and join the moving train.

He said, "Thank you for coming. You have come to the right place. Labour Party is a safe and peaceful party without any faction. This is the best decision you can make. Thank you for coming. You will see that when you support me, you will get there, and Agu Awka is our own. I welcome you once again and say thank you."

Highpoints of the event include the official reception of the decampees into the new party, as well as gifting them with Labour Party uniforms, and chanting of solidarity songs in support of Agbasimelo's candidacy, among other side attractions.