The member representing Ohafia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the Labour Party (LP).
Obasi made the announcement on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, at the governor’s country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, alongside some of Obasi’s political associates and supporters, including former Commissioner for Transport, Chief Kingsley Imaga, former Ohafia LGA Chairman, Princess Grace Agbara, and Chief Ndukwe Orji Agu (ABROMA), among others.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the three-term lawmaker explained that his decision to join the Labour Party was influenced largely by what he described as the visible developmental strides of Governor Alex Otti across Abia State.
According to him, the governor’s ongoing infrastructural projects have made governance more visible to the people and easier for political leaders to defend before their constituents.
“I officially came here to identify myself with the Governor of Abia State and to properly join him in the Labour Party because of the works he is doing in Abia State,” Obasi said.
He pointed specifically to the Uzuakoli–Akara–Ohafia Road project as one of the major achievements that convinced him that the Labour Party-led administration is delivering on its promises.
“The works are visible. If I go to my constituency today, people will ask me who constructed the road to Abiriba. It is the Governor of Abia State. That is something you can confidently campaign with,” he stated.
Obasi further disclosed that internal crises within the PDP also contributed to his decision to leave the party, noting that the party has lost clear leadership direction.
“I’m leaving the PDP because we no longer have leadership. Some members have one leg in ADC, others in APC. If you check the Abia State House of Assembly, I am one of the last men standing in PDP,” he said.
The lawmaker also revealed that many of his political supporters and associates from Ohafia North State Constituency would soon defect with him to the Labour Party.
He assured that a date would soon be announced for the formal defection ceremony of his supporters.
“When the time comes, people will see them. We own that constituency and I am a third-time House member. Before you become a third-time House member, you know what it takes. I am on ground,” Obasi maintained.
His defection is expected to further strengthen the growing influence of the Labour Party in Abia State.
