Imo Speaker, seven other PDP members defect to APC

Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Dr. Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano Constituency) and seven other PDP lawmakers have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

By the latest development, Collins had defected twice in eight months as he was elected into the Assembly on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) last year before he defected to PDP, the then ruling party in the state.

Nine members of the Assembly had last week defected to the APC, a development that sparked speculations that they had been bribed by the governor to avert gang-up against him and possible impeachment.

Those who defected last week were from the Action Alliance (AA), PDP and APGA. APC now has 17 members in the 27-member Assembly.

Yesterday’s defectors are, Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West), Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru East), Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru), Michael Njoku (Ihitte Uboma) and Eddy Obinna (Aboh Mbaise).

Ogbuagu, who is Chairman, House Committee on Planning and Budget, expressed his decision in a letter to the Speaker, alleging unfair treatment by his former party.