Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the Action People’s Party (APP).
Speaking on Wednesday from his country home in Akokwa, Imo State, Ugochinyere said his decision was driven by what he described as the PDP’s deepening internal crisis, marked by endless litigation and self-inflicted divisions that have made the party ungovernable.
The lawmaker recounted what he termed a turbulent and painful experience within the PDP, alleging betrayal by party members. He said despite his efforts in reclaiming a constituency the party had lost for 15 years, some of his colleagues turned around to testify against him at election tribunals.
According to him, remaining in such an environment would amount to “testing God,” stressing that his continued stay in the PDP had become untenable. He said his focus is now on building the APP from the grassroots, describing the party as a fresh political platform driven by the energy and ideals of young Nigerians.
Beyond his defection, Ugochinyere also issued a strong warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments amid the public spat with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata.
The lawmaker described the Minister’s remarks as an insult to the entire Igbo race, warning that verbal attacks on the leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation represent a “red line” that would not be tolerated by Igbos across the world.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the FCT Minister against further denigration of Igbo leadership. Ugochinyere reminded Wike that Senator Mbata is a respected political figure who once played a key role in his political journey, making the ongoing exchange of words, in his view, inappropriate.
Ugochinyere’s defection is considered a major setback for the PDP in Imo State, where he was the party’s only serving federal legislator.
