A member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Lewis Obianyi, representing Ukwa East State Constituency, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Labour Party, attributing his decision to Governor Alex Otti’s inclusive and visible governance.
Obianyi was joined by a delegation of key political stakeholders from Ukwa East Local Government Area, including former Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Paul Taribo, Chief Bright Benson, and Lady Chinedu Brown, among others.
During a visit to Otti at the Government House on Saturday, Obianyi recalled earlier notifying the governor in September 2023 of his plan to switch parties, describing his defection as a “fulfilment of that earlier intention.”
Obianyi said, “People are seeing tangible developments. They are no longer seeing audio infrastructure. What they are now seeing are infrastructures that can stand the test of time.”
He lauded Otti’s leadership, saying the governor had laid a lasting foundation for the state’s development.
“As of today, Your Excellency, you have laid a foundation that after 2031, whoever takes over from you will find it easier to take Ndi Abia to the next level.”
“We are not looking for a party to belong to; what we are looking for is good governance, and today you have provided leadership for us,” he added.
Governor Otti, in his response, congratulated Obianyi and others for joining the Labour Party and promised that a formal reception would be organised soon in Ukwa East.
“The most important thing is that we belong to one political party called Abia State, and everything we do is to promote the welfare and happiness of our people,” Otti said.
He disclosed that a state-of-the-art general hospital would be delivered in Ukwa East by the end of the year. The delay in flagging off the project, he said, was due to the unsuitability of the previously designated site.
He said, “To the glory of God, an Ndoki son donated a large parcel of land, which was handed over to the contractor on Friday. I have given the contractor until the end of the year to deliver.”
Otti also expressed appreciation for the gift of Akwete cloth presented by the delegation, saying his administration, particularly through the Office of the First Lady, was promoting the iconic fabric globally.
He assured the Ndoki people that his government would support efforts to commercialise and expand the production of the cloth.
Earlier, the Mayor of Ukwa East, Chibunna Akara, introduced the decampees and noted that they came from various political parties. He added that a date was being awaited from the governor for their official reception in the LGA.
Among the stakeholders who declared for the Labour Party are Paul Taribo, former Deputy Majority Leader of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly; Chief Bright Benson, former YPP House of Representatives candidate; Lady Chinedu Brown, a two-time Commissioner for Women Affairs; Hon. Hyacinte Iheanacho, PDP ward chairmen coordinator in Ukwa East; Prof. Kamalu of the University of Port Harcourt; Barr. Ben Ogbonna, a retired Superintendent of Police; Mrs Esther Bright, Women Traders in Politics coordinator; Chief Theresa Aja, PDP woman leader in Ukwa East; Elder Israel Bethel, former Special Adviser on Agriculture; and Dr Felix Idah Waboso, Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Ndoki clan.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, was also present during the visit.
