FORMER ENUGU APC CHAIRMAN, EX-LOCAL GOVT EXECUTIVES, OTHERS DEFECT TO ADC

A former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Mr. A.C. Udeh, former APC Woman Leader, Lolo Nwankwo, over 10 former local government chairmen of the APC, and several other APC members in the state have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The APC members who joined the ADC in the state barely a week after the state governor, Peter Mbah, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC were formally absorbed into the ADC during the party’s Enugu State Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the party’s State Secretariat in Enugu, the state capital, within the week.

The APC members defected to the ADC following weeks of internal crises within the APC in the state, intensified by the defection of the governor to the party.

It was gathered that Governor Mbah’s move to the APC triggered factional struggles for control of the party’s structure, deepening division within the Enugu chapter of the party.

In their remarks, the defectors pledged loyalty to the ADC and promised to mobilise support at the grassroots level across their respective local government areas in the state.

Meanwhile, the ADC has announced the commencement of a statewide membership registration exercise across all wards in Enugu, describing it as a foundation for rebuilding the party’s grassroots strength and repositioning it as a credible political force in the state.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the ADC warned that only registered and verified members would be eligible to participate in the party’s forthcoming congresses and internal elections.

“We are giving everyone, coalition partners and prospective members alike, the opportunity to participate during this membership registration exercise and to join the ADC officially,” the communiqué read.

“But no one can sit on the fence and expect to partake in the congress or other internal activities. The rule is clear: you must first resign from your former political party before you can become a legitimate member of ADC.”

The communiqué further emphasised that harmonisation discussions with non-members were premature.

“Such discussions cannot occur with individuals who are yet to join the ADC,” it stated.