Former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, has formally defected to the Labour Party, declaring that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has “closed shop.”
Oko Chukwu announced his defection during a ceremony at Etitiama Primary School, Nkporo, in Ohafia Local Government Area, where he joined the ruling party alongside several PDP members and collapsed his political structure, the Abia Vision Rangers, into the Labour Party.
Explaining his move, Oko Chukwu praised Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, describing it as transformational and people-oriented. He said Otti’s reforms and development strides within two years have surpassed the PDP’s achievements in eight years.
“A lot of people have spoken both in private and in public, and I said in the last two years, just two years, not eight years, you have made an enormous difference. I decided to join you because I saw the spirit,” Oko Chukwu noted.
“It’s not just that you are doing work. When you are working, and you bring out all your heart, your spirit, and handle every work as if to say that it is a personal work.
“If you look at the road that you have been able to do, you just know that it is a man who is determined, who loves his people, and who is determined to leave a legacy for himself.”
The former speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and third time member of the House, claimed that his defection marked the end of the PDP in the State.
“I want to thank All Abians who believe in me and who have decided to leave the PDP alongside myself to join Labour Party. Please, endeavour to go to your various wards And get registered.”
“And you see now, PDP in Abia state has closed shop effective from today.”
Receiving the new entrant and his supporters into the Labour Party, Governor Alex Otti saluted the courage to leave his party, describing it as a “bold and weighty political move.”
Otti assured the former Deputy Governor of fair treatment and equal opportunities within the Labour Party.
“This is a party that does not discriminate, there is no difference between him that is joining today and some of us that joined earlier. As soon as you are a member of the party, you have equal rights and opportunities,” Otti said.
The Governor said the former Deputy Governor has been his long-standing friend who consistently demonstrated fairness and respect, even when they were in opposing political camps.
He revealed that he had privately pledged his support during the 2023 elections despite remaining in the PDP at the time.
“Rt Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu has been my friend and my brother even when we were in different camps. He is one official of the government that will give you your dues and your respect, even as deputy governor.
“In those days, there’s no way he would see me and would not recognise me. And I remember he would always introduce me as his friend and his elder brother”, Governor Otti said.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to quality infrastructure, and announced that the Itu Nkporo Road had been awarded for reconstruction, stressing that Abians are entitled to good roads.
He thanked the people of the area for their support, which he said enabled the Labour Party to secure a resounding victory in the 2023 general elections.
Highpoint of the occasion was the ceremonial handover of the Labour Party flag to the Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.
