National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has strongly criticized what he described as “oppressive taxation” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Enugu State, warning that the burden disproportionately affects the poor.
Dr. Ganduje, represented by APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, made this statement at Akama-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area during a major political realignment event that saw the collapse of the Labour Party (LP) structure in Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency into the APC.
The event marked the official defection of Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, the member representing Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, along with several LP leaders and ward executives, to the APC. With his defection, Hon. Umeha becomes the first elected federal lawmaker from Enugu State under the APC banner since the party’s inception in 2014.
Speaking on behalf of the national chairman, Chief Eneukwu said, “The taxation they are using to kill the poor people will no longer be there. There will be reasonable taxation, not one that crushes the people. This is why the APC will take over Enugu in 2027.”
In a fiery speech, he accused Governor Peter Mbah of seeking entry into the APC and dismissed the PDP administration as nearing its end. “That man governing Enugu, he has ended his reign. The way he came is the way he will go. We already have a new governor in waiting,” he declared.
The mass defection also included Hon. Dennis Amadi, former member of the House of Representatives (2015–2023) and former LP senatorial candidate for Enugu West; Hon. Emma Ogbozo and Barr. Chibuzor Onyema, LP House of Assembly candidates; and all LP ward executives from Udi and Ezeagu LGAs.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who was also present, condemned the Enugu State government for inviting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commission uncompleted projects. “They deceived our father, the president, by showcasing videos of a smart school project that wasn’t completed. Only one exists, and it is in the governor’s village,” he alleged.
The state APC Chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, described the defection as a political turning point, stating that Udi and Ezeagu—home to the Agbaja people—are strategic to electoral outcomes in the state and beyond. He blamed the collapse of the Labour Party in the state on leadership failures by both its presidential and governorship candidates in 2023, Peter Obi and Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, respectively.
Hon. Umeha said the decision to join the APC followed widespread consultation with his constituents, stating that the entire Labour Party structure in Udi/Ezeagu had now shifted allegiance to the APC.
“Enugu is the heart of the South East. We cannot afford to be left behind in national politics. Our journey to reposition Enugu at the federal centre begins today,” he said.
The event drew high-profile attendees, including Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, DG of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council; Engr. Dr. Lois Nwobodo of SEDI; Hon. Obumneme Obodougo of RMAFC; and other APC leaders and stakeholders.
The APC leadership said the influx of new members positions the party to challenge and displace the PDP-led government in Enugu come 2027.
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