The Labour Party (LP) has suffered another significant loss as Hon. Sunday Umeha, a member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umeha cited the party’s lingering crisis, leadership tussle, and instability as reasons for his departure.
The defection brings the total number of lawmakers who have left their parties to join APC to 25 since July 2024, with 28 defections recorded in total.
The development further deepens the crisis within the Labour Party, which has been plagued by internal conflicts and leadership disputes. …CONTINUE READING
The APC has welcomed Umeha, with the party’s Enugu State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballa, present during the defection.
The development further deepens the crisis within the Labour Party, which has been plagued by internal conflicts and leadership disputes.
The party’s factional issues have led to multiple claims of leadership, creating uncertainty among its members.
The APC has emerged as a major beneficiary of the crossovers, bolstering its position in the House of Representatives.
READ FULL STATEMENT
STATEMENT OF RT. HON. BARR. SUNDAY CYRIACUS UMEHA ON THE DEFECTION FROM LABOUR PARTY TO THE RULING ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)
22nd May, 2025
My Dear Constituents and Fellow Nigerians,
After series of consultations with leaders of our communities in Ezeagu-Udi Federal Constituency, political friends, colleagues and associates both at home and in the Diaspora, I have since resigned my membership of the Labour Party. The Notice of my Resignation and Defection to the Ruling All
@OfficialAPCNg was formally read today, on the Floor of the House of Representatives in line with extant laws governing political party resignation and defection.
This is a decision that I have taken with a great sense of responsibility and in response to the seemingly intractable leadership crisis in the Labour Party; both at the National and various State organs. The importance of a stable and viable political party, in a representational democracy such as ours, cannot be overemphasized. As such, my continued membership of the Labour Party whilst it continues on a downward spiral would constitute a political suicide. I have therefore taken this solemm decision, not in my own personal interest, but more importantly in the interest of my beloved Constituents; whose mandate I continue to carry with great sense of responsibility, dignity and pride.
Enugu State, occupies a distinctive position of the capital of the Eastern Region, hence the need to align it with the center of National politics under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President
@officialABAT
GCFR cannot be gainsaid. By connecting our people to the center, I’m confident that more impetus would be given to the actualization of our Legislative Agenda which we have pursued with renewed zest and vigor.
The infrastructural intervention of the APC-led Federal Government in the South East; the latest of which is the establishment of the South East Development Commission – which would be a vehicle for the all-round infrastructural and socioeconomic development of the region cannot be overemphasized. This move, therefore, would afford me the platform to effectively negotiate and midwife a better deal for our people amongst other progressives.
I want to thank the Labour Party for affording me the platform to launch my mainstream political career; however, I regret that the party which was until recently, the heartbeat of the Nigerian people has become unrecognizable faced with a war of attrition that looks destined to destroy it.
Let me also thank the leadership of the APC in Enugu State, led by Hon. Chief Uche Nnaji (Minister of Science and Technology and Innovation), Hon. Emeka Emeukwu (APC Deputy Chairman, South), Hon. Ugochukwu Agballa (State Chairman, APC Enugu State) for their leadership, guidance and warm reception. I should also thank the National Chairman of the APC (H.E. Govenor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje) as well as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (H.E. Governor Hope Uzodinma) as well as other National Leaders of the Party, for making it a viable, stable and alternative platform of choice as evidenced in the massive defections into the party.
Irrespective of political party affiliations, I pledge myself to the continuous service of the good people of Ezeagu-Udi Federal Constituency, the people of Enugu State at large and of course to the larger calling of National progress and development.
Signed.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha| Member, representative Ezeagu-Udi Federal Constituency | Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Justice
