A wave of defections has continued to rock the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State following the dramatic return of Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate , to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Several high-profile figures have now officially dumped the LP, citing loyalty to Edeoga as their principal reason for the decision. Among them are Chief Emeka Mamah, former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign in Enugu State; Hon. Obinna Ijere, a former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly who represented Udenu Constituency; and Barr. Onuorah Odoh, the LP State Publicity Secretary.
Chief Mamah, a well-known political strategist whose grassroots mobilization efforts were instrumental in building Labour Party’s popularity during the 2023 elections, announced his defection on Tuesday in his native Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. He was accompanied by a large contingent of supporters who also pledged their allegiance to the PDP.
Speaking during a gathering at the PDP State Secretariat, Mamah stated:
"My political journey has always been guided by principle, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice. I followed Edeoga to the Labour Party because I believed in his vision. Now that he has returned to the PDP, it is only natural that we reunite to continue the struggle from within a platform that gives us the best chance to serve our people."
He further criticized the state of the Labour Party in Enugu, noting:
"The Labour Party in Enugu has lost direction since Edeoga left. The structure is crumbling, the energy has dropped, and there’s no cohesive leadership. We cannot continue in a vacuum."
Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Obinna Ijere, who was elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly under the Labour Party in 2023 but later lost his seat due to a court judgment, said:
"We gave our all to the Labour Party because we believed it was a people-driven platform. But the internal contradictions, lack of leadership structure, and Edeoga’s exit forced us to re-evaluate. The PDP remains the strongest vehicle for real governance in Enugu."
This fresh wave of defections adds to the growing list of LP leaders and members who have rejoined the PDP in recent weeks. Edeoga, who previously served as a Commissioner and a federal lawmaker under the PDP, recently made a high-profile return to the party, reigniting enthusiasm among his loyalists and former colleagues.
Despite the mass defections, officials of the Labour Party in Enugu have downplayed the situation, insisting that the party remains focused, united, and resilient in the face of political realignments.
The unfolding events mark a significant shift in the political landscape of Enugu State and raise questions about the future strength of the Labour Party heading into the next electoral cycle.
