6,000 NDC Members Defect To PDP In Enugu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State recorded a major political boost ahead of the 2027 elections as over 6,000 members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) officially dumped their party to join the PDP.

The defectors, who had been aligned with the NDC since its inception in Enugu, were received by the state PDP leadership during a well-attended reception ceremony in the state capital.

Led by Mr. Godwin Obasi, the group explained that their departure from the NDC was triggered by the party’s decision to hand electoral tickets to unpopular candidates.

Obasi revealed that his followers originally moved to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), adding that the same grievances that forced their exit from the ADC reemerged in the NDC.

“We decided that we were going to join the PDP. It is our right and choice. So, after we congregated, we are here today to officially join the PDP,” Obasi declared.

“We are from all the 260 wards and 17 local government areas in the state, and all of us have moved into the PDP from today,” he added.

Welcoming the new entrants, the PDP governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, assured the defectors of equal opportunities and a sense of belonging within the party fold.

Nnaji criticized the ruling state administration, asserting that it has failed to honor its electoral pledges and calling for a united citizen front to reposition the state.

He accused the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state of placing unbearable financial burdens on residents through heavy taxation without delivering matching development.

Nnaji alleged that excessive tax collection extended even to dead bodies and newborns, leaving citizens struggling despite massive revenues.

“Our pensioners are not being paid. Enugu is the only place where pensions and gratuities are not being paid to our people.

“Nothing is paid to our people. Everybody is in a mess. Imo and Anambra pay their pensions and gratuities to date. What sin have we committed in Enugu State?

“And President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released so much money to all the states. What this government here has received is more than what the three previous governors — Chimaroke, Sullivan and Ugwuanyi — put together.

“What they received in 24 years, this government has received in about three years. We are talking of trillions of naira,” he argued.

The PDP candidate also challenged the state’s reported internally generated revenue figures for 2025, claiming the funds were extracted at the expense of citizens’ well-being.

In his remarks, PDP chieftain Basil Ani described the defection of over 6,000 NDC members as a huge advantage for the party’s rebuilding process in Enugu.

Ani expressed confidence that the influx of new members would strengthen the party’s bid to reclaim power in the state next year.

He added that Nnaji stands as a key figure to rebuild the PDP in Enugu State, similar to his previous role in structuring the APC.

Echoing these thoughts, the PDP Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East, Kingsley Nweke, noted that the arrival of the new members has energized party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.