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Hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members including Senator Chukwuka Utazi and former Minister for Defense, Fidelia Njeze and their supporters have been formally welcomed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Enugu State, The Eastern Updates reports.
Those who were on ground to welcome the defectors during official welcome include the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, APC National Deputy Chairman, South, Chief Emma Eneukwu, APC National Vice Chairman South East, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu and the Chairman of the Party in Enugu State, Chief Ugo Agballa.
Speaking on his defection, Senator Utazi who represented Enugu North Senatorial district at the National Assembly between 2015 and 2023 said that he is joining APC because the only way to realize the Presidency of Igbo extraction was to join APC.
He noted that as a national politician, it would serve him better to join politics at the center.
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He said, “Today is a special day in my political career. As a national politician, I want to join politics at the centre. What we are doing in Enugu cannot take Enugu anywhere. I resigned from PDP. Nothing is coming to Enugu. If you are not at the centre, you are failing.
“The only way to get Igbo presidency is to serve as a servant at the APC. I want to serve in the party. APC is the only way to join the mainstream. We will ensure that members join the party. With the party discipline, we will go far.”
On her part, Mrs Njeze, who was former Minister of Aviation, said she was bringing peace to the party, stating that, “My coming in is for peace and progress. Unity is strength. Plead for peace to avoid enmity. I will be loyal to the party because I know what loyalty is.”
Receiving the defectors, to the party, Chief Eneukwu said that the caliber of persons who were now in APC has placed the party in a good stead to win elections in the state.
“Political parties are meant to win elections. Work for the party. Let’s stay put and build a family. We have the ability to win elections in the state. Victory comes with hard work, don’t look at the saboteurs.
“It is a new beginning for the party in 2027. We need more people. PDP in Enugu is now a mushroom party. The South East must take their place in Nigeria. Igbo presidency is long overdue.”
On his part, APC Vice Chairman, South East, Ijeoma Arodiogbu appealed to the new members to unite for the success of the party in the next election, noting that the broom in the party signifies unity and oneness.