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Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu who is Former Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Eastern Updates reports.
Uchendu, from Isiama Ward, who served in the 7th Abia Assembly and represented Ohafia South State Constituency, was the chairman, Media and Publicity and spokesman for the House of Assembly.
The Eastern Updates recalls that the ex-deputy speaker on May 24th of had in 2017 joined the PDP from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he was elected to represent Ohafia South in the 6th Abia House of Assembly.
Speaking at the PDP secretariat, Finbarr’s road in Umuahia after rejoining from APGA, he said: “I consulted with my God, my people and members of my constituency before I took the decision to join PDP,” citing the crisis at APGA national leadership as reasons for his decision to go back to the PDP.
In an exclusive phone interview with our correspondent, the lawmaker, stating why he joined the APC, said: “I became a member of Abia State House of Assembly on the platform of APGA in 2015.
“I was doing well for our people, which is the most important thing. But there was need to reconnect my people to the mainstream of Abia politics that led to my joining the PDP. I joined the PDP while I had the mandate of my people.”
Reacting to criticisms that he was ungrateful to abandon a party that helped him rise through political ranks in state, he said: “Yes, I became the deputy speaker of Abia State House of Assembly due to my performance, experience and other factors.
“At that time, my people only listened to what PDP had to say because I was there and distinguished myself at the same time.
“So it can be said that it was a mutual benefit. I promoted the party through my performance and activities.”
On why he chose APC against the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state and what his presence would bring to the new party, Uchendu said: “APC is a national party, the ruling party in the country.