Ebonyi Rep Dumps Party, Joins APC to Back Tinubu, Nwifuru

Joseph Nwobasi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, has explained why he dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his decision was driven by alignment with the leadership vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Speaking during a formal declaration ceremony at the Ezza North Council Headquarters on Sunday, Nwobasi said he and his supporters were defecting not out of political opportunism but out of conviction that the APC provides a stronger platform to support meaningful development in Ebonyi State and beyond.

“I didn’t take this decision lightly,” Nwobasi said. “I have watched Governor Nwifuru’s leadership with admiration—his empowerment schemes, his infrastructure revolution, and his inclusive governance style. He has proven to be a governor for all Ebonyians, and I want to be part of that progress.”

A former leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Nwobasi was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023 under the APGA platform. However, less than two years into his tenure, he says it became clear that the political ideals he embraced were better represented within the APC’s current leadership.

“The direction Ebonyi is heading under the APC is promising,” he added. “I want to join hands with those who are genuinely building, not just criticizing. Governor Nwifuru is not just a party man; he’s a people’s governor, and I’m proud to align with that.”

Nwobasi was not alone in his political shift. He defected alongside Kevin Okeh, a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, signalling what some observers interpret as the beginning of a realignment within Ezza politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area, Chief Moses Ogodo-Ali, welcomed the new defectors and described their move as a reflection of the prevailing political will in Ezza land. He also reaffirmed local support for Governor Nwifuru’s yet-to-be-declared re-election bid.

“Our people have resolved that in 2027, no son or daughter of Ezza will contest against Governor Nwifuru. We’ve made our choice. The era of political gambling is over,” Ogodo-Ali declared.

The APC Chairman in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, while receiving the new members, warned against internal divisions and urged all defectors to integrate smoothly into the party structure.

“The APC is open to all progress-minded individuals, but loyalty, unity, and discipline remain non-negotiable,” Okoro-Emegha said.

Nwobasi’s defection, rooted in policy alignment rather than personal ambition, signals a deeper shift in Ebonyi’s political terrain—where party lines are increasingly redrawn by perceived performance rather than legacy allegiances.