Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the house of representatives, has defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Labour Party (LP).
Gatekeepers News reports that Ikwechegh, who represents Aba north/Aba south federal constituency of Abia state, announced his decision on Tuesday after meeting Alex Otti, governor of Abia.
Speaking after the meeting, the lawmaker said he formally received the governor’s blessing before joining the party.
“I visited the governor this evening to receive his blessings. As you may or may not know, I have received my Labour Party card as a new member of the party,” he said.
Explaining his decision, Ikwechegh cited Otti’s leadership style and achievements in Abia state as key factors behind his defection.
“My compulsion to join the Labour Party stems from the fact that I believe that the governor’s ideology and style of governance appear to be congruent with mine,” he said.
“The governor has truly transformed Abia state. He has shown that it is possible for leadership to work in Nigeria.
“We have seen a man who truly means well for his people that is why I have decided to join the Labour Party.”
Ikwechegh also dismissed reports that he had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House last week.
“There have been speculations that after I met with the president, I joined the APC. This is not true,” he said.
“We went to observe the iftar with the president, and I appreciate him for that fatherly gesture. I do not have anything against my brothers and sisters who have decided to join the APC or the City Boy Movement. Politics is about interest.”
He urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Abia, to register and become members of the Labour Party.
Also speaking, Ginger Onwusibe, lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa south/Isiala Ngwa north federal constituency, described Ikwechegh’s defection as a significant boost for the party.
“As caucus leader, I came with him to demonstrate clearly that he is now a member of the Labour Party,” Onwusibe said.
“We are very happy that he is now in our family. This is one of the best signings the Labour Party has made, and it will manifest in the 2027 election.”
Onwusibe added that Ikwechegh was impressed by Otti’s achievements and the performance of Labour Party lawmakers from Abia in the national assembly.
