Enugu lawmaker dumps Labour Party for PDP

Hon. Eze Gabriel Lebechi, the lawmaker representing Isi-Uzo Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary session, where Speaker Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu read Lebechi’s defection letter. The lawmaker later stood up to confirm that the decision was voluntary and followed due consultation.

Lebechi cited internal crises within the Labour Party and his admiration for the leadership style of Governor Peter Mbah as his reasons for switching political allegiance.

According to Lebechi, the unresolved issues within the Labour Party led to its near collapse, forcing him to seek a more viable political platform.

“Labour Party has entered into a problem they could not resolve. As I am talking to you, Labour Party is almost dead,” he said.

“I made wider consultations with my constituents and stakeholders, and they advised me to move to a better place – and that place is PDP.”

While he expressed a tinge of regret over leaving the party that brought him into office, he stated he had no choice but to move forward in the interest of his constituents.

Lebechi also cited the performance of Governor Peter Mbah as a significant factor in his decision, praising the governor’s developmental strides across critical sectors.

“I studied Computer Science and I understand what AI can do. The governor is applying innovation in all areas, security, agriculture, healthcare, road infrastructure, he is working tirelessly to change Enugu into London,” he said.

Quoting Governor Mbah’s leadership style as “unusual governance,” Lebechi said he was motivated to join PDP to support the administration’s transformation agenda.

“I am today defecting to PDP to support my colleagues and the government of Enugu State,” he added.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ugwu, had earlier asked the lawmaker to confirm if the defection letter was authored by him, to which Lebechi responded affirmatively, noting that the decision was made in good faith.

His defection adds to the growing list of Labour Party members leaving the party amid its lingering internal challenges.