2019: Over 2000 APGA members defect to SDP in Abia

Crisis has hit the Abia state chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as hundreds of aspirants who lost the party’s ticket at the just-concluded primary election, and their supporters have defected to the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Some of the aspirants included: a two-time commissioner in Abia, Eze Chimkamnayo, who is seeking APGA ticket to represent Umunneochi State Constituency, and Obinna Igwe Samuel, vying for Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, and Hon. Chukwuemeka Osoagbaka, who is re-contesting Ikwuano state constituency of Abia House of Assembly.

Addressing newsmen shortly after declaring for SDP at the weekend, aspirant for Isiala North state constituency of Abia state, Barrister Oracle Chukwudi-Nwala decried what he termed lack of internal democracy in the leadership of APGA in the state.

He accused APGA leadership of betrayal, even when most of them contributed a lot for the growth of the party in the state.

According to Nwala, “As for me, I have moved on because it is only God that makes kings”.

“So, I have the confidence that SDP, as a progressives party, has provided a fair ground for candidates.

“We defected to SDP with over 2000 APGA supporters. I’m very optimistic that we will emerge victorous under our new party, SDP”.

Earlier in his speech after the declaration ceremony, the Abia state chairman of SDP, Hon. Chidi Nwosu said the party had received many aspirants from PDP and APGA and stressed that the party leadership will field credible and acceptable candidates in the upcoming 2019 general election.

He said, “We have received a lot of them. And I’m assuring Abians that SDP will field credible candidates in all elective positions.

“So, we have provided a level playground for every member and assuring once again that SDP is poised to take over the Abia government house come 2019”.