The member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, has defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Labour Party. Ikwechegh disclosed his decision on Tuesday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, at the governor’s residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The federal lawmaker explained that his visit was to formally notify the governor of his defection and to seek his blessing as the recognised leader of the Labour Party in the state. “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,” Ikwechegh stated.
Although he did not immediately elaborate on the reasons behind his departure from APGA, political observers suggest that the move may reshape party alignments in Abia State, particularly in Aba, a key commercial hub in the South-East. Ikwechegh’s defection adds to the growing list of politicians in the region gravitating towards the Labour Party following its strong performance in recent elections. Analysts note that his entry into the party could bolster its influence in the National Assembly and consolidate its grassroots support base in Aba North and Aba South.
Sources close to the meeting described the interaction between Ikwechegh and Governor Otti as cordial, with discussions reportedly centered on strengthening party structures and ensuring effective representation of constituents. The development is expected to trigger political recalculations within both APGA and the Labour Party in Abia State, as stakeholders assess its potential impact on future electoral contests and legislative dynamics.
With his formal registration as a Labour Party member, Ikwechegh now joins the ranks of lawmakers aligned with the party’s platform, setting the stage for a new chapter in his political career and in the evolving political landscape of Abia State.
