By Amaka Okafor
Political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensified in Ebonyi State at the weekend as former Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Felix Ogbonna Igboke, officially defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party , alongside over 10,000 supporters.
Igboke, who recently resigned as Commissioner for Project Monitoring in the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, announced his defection during a PDP stakeholders’ meeting held at Isu Okoma Community primary School in Onicha Local Government Area.
Addressing party faithful, the former council boss described his return to the PDP as a “homecoming,” noting that the party remained the political platform he helped build and strengthen in Ebonyi State.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of the PDP in the state, particularly the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, whom he described as the leader of the party and the “incoming governor of Ebonyi State.”
According to him, the return of thousands of supporters to the PDP would strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and position it strongly for the 2027 elections.
“We are returning with more than 10,000 supporters. This is a strong political movement that will influence future elections in Ebonyi State,” Igboke stated.
The former commissioner attributed his departure from the APC to what he described as growing internal challenges within the ruling party, alleging that some leaders were engaging in anti-party activities while pursuing personal interests.
“The other party’s chairman is playing anti-party politics, yet nothing is being done about it. The party structure has been hijacked for personal interests and that is one of the reasons many of us decided to leave,” he alleged.
Igboke further claimed that some of his supporters, especially women, were intimidated while attempting to participate in the PDP gathering. He, however, urged his followers to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the challenges.
He maintained that he harboured no personal resentment against members of his former party, many of whom he described as friends, but affirmed his commitment to the PDP. He pledged to work with other stakeholders to reposition the party and mobilize support across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
