A federal lawmaker representing Imo East Senatorial District, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, has left the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Senate Majority Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, announced Onyewuchi’s defection during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Additionally, Salman Idris, a member of the House of Representatives, switched from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the APC.
Idris, who represents the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, officially announced his decision in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on the House floor on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate welcomed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma into the chamber, in accordance with Senate rules. Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum, and his team were present to witness Onyewuchi’s defection from LP to the ruling APC.
In his letter, Onyewuchi explained that he resigned from the Labour Party due to the party’s internal crisis. He also stated that his decision was in accordance with constitutional dictates. Onyewuchi’s defection increases the number of APC Senators from Imo State to three.
Following his defection, Onyewuchi was welcomed by APC lawmakers and escorted to his seat in the APC wing of the Senate Chambers.