A member of the Abia State House of Assembly and chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon Abraham Oba, has dumped the party for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Recall that the lawmaker, who is presently representing Aba Central Constituency at the state assembly, was elected twice on the platform of APGA between 2015 and 2019, with his current tenure elapsing in 2023.
In June 2015 during the inauguration of the 6th Abia State House of Assembly, Oba was elected as minority leader of the house and was later removed in a controversial manner over allegation of making uncomplimentary statements against the N30 billion loan which Governor Okezie Ikpeazu sought the house’s approval during his first tenure in office.
Announcing his formal defection from APGA to the PDP in a letter read on the floor of the house by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, during its plenary session, on Tuesday, Oba explained that he arrived at the decision to pitch tent with the PDP after due and thorough consultations with family, associates and entire constituents of Aba Central.
The defected lawmaker further cited the lack of internal democracy and the factional crisis rocking the Abia chapter of the APGA, which according to him, has dwindled the fortunes of the party in the state.
Meanwhile, the Abia State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, screened seven out of 21 names of the commissioner-nominees recently appointed by Ikpeazu.
The screening of the nominees followed a letter sent to the leadership of the assembly by Governor Ikpeazu, which sought the confirmation of the 21 nominees as Commissioners into the Abia State Executive Council.
The seven nominees screened by the lawmakers were; Hon. Chinagorom Nwamkpa (Isiala Ngwa South).
Mazi Donatus Okorie (Arochukwu).
Mrs Adaku Oseiza (Umuahia South).
Hon. Sopuruchi Bekee (Obingwa).
Barr. Eze Chikamnayo (Umunneochi).
Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue (Umuahia East) and Chief. Godswill Uche Nwanoruo (Osisioma Ngwa).