Chris Okewulonu, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, along with Chuma Nnaji, Ihedioha’s former deputy governorship candidate, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, bringing along their supporters.
At the APC secretariat in Owerri, the state capital, Okewulonu addressed party members, reflecting on his recent resignation from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Board of Trustees.
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“You will recall that a few months ago, I tendered my resignations, both as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, and as a member of its Board of Trustees,” Okewulonu stated.
“My decision to leave that party was taken after deep introspection, coupled with lengthy consultations with members of my family, my political colleagues, and my well-wishers.
“My decision was equally rooted in my conviction that the qualities which formed the essence of the PDP as a political party, and which ab initio informed my attraction to it, had been continuously eroded, totally degraded, and finally and irretrievably lost,” he said.
Okewulonu stated that his hiatus from political activity gave him the opportunity to critically assess the political landscape of Imo.
“In the light of the protracted disagreements and schisms in both of the parties which should, and were actually looked upon to constitute the frontline opposition parties in Nigeria, I found myself questioning whether, as a veritable statesman in the polity of Imo State and even Nigeria at large, I could afford to continue paying lip service to being a member of an ineffective, nearly non-existent opposition, whereas I could position myself to actively contribute towards improving the lives of my people,” he added.
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Uzodimma welcomed the defectors, highlighting the importance of their decision.
“APC was seen as a foreign party because of the unfortunate outing in the past. We became victims of mistaken identity. Today, the only party that meant well for Imo citizens is APC,” Uzodimma said.
He described the defection as a testament to APC’s growing influence in the state.
“Genuine members of the political class who want Imo to move forward are joining the winning party. The real state owners are coming back to the party. If we don’t solve the problem of our people, history will not forgive us,” the governor added.
Uzodimma praised Okewulonu and Nnaji’s decision to join APC, likening the development to recruiting elite players in sports.
“Conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal. I thank Okewulonu and Chuma Nnaji for joining our party. We have the Ronaldos and Lionel Messis in our party now,” he remarked.
Nnaji, a former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, expressed strong confidence in the leadership of the APC.
“We didn’t come to the party alone, we have over 3,000 supporters who believe in us joining us,” Nnaji said.
It was gathered that other notable defectors included Paschal Obi, former Ideato South House of Representatives member, Tochukwu Okere, representing Owerri Federal Constituency, and other key political figures.
