By Roland Ike

The Member representing Onicha East constituency in the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Celestine Ogba on Saturday defected from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ogba who defected at the APC secretariat in Abakalikii in the presence of party leaders, said he was happy to “go back to his roots” having been a member of the party in the past.

The lawmaker said that the APC is the largest political party in the country and Africa with great and influential personalities as members.

“I am happy to join them in building blocks which would translate to mansions of delivering democratic dividends to the people.

“What people say does not matter but ideologies which transform the lives of the people.

“The state governor has shown that his administration is people oriented which is embedded in the people’s charter of needs mantra,”

He noted that his defection was in the overall interest as his constituency will benefit if he joins the moving train.

“I should not be a clog in the wheels of progress as I want my people, party and state to progress.

“I come from a politically volatile local government area which should make us eschew violence but lay claim to what is rightly due to us.

“I defected with all labour party stakeholders in the constituency as council has become one with the merger of political forces from the east and west constituencies,”

The APC Chairman in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha commended Ogba for taking the ‘decisive step’ and described him a a big fish caught by the party.

“When you go to the river for fishing, you will be happy to catch a big fish and that is what we have done.

“We are looking for the best brains to project the state to the apex of national discourse and enhance our people’s well-being.

“I have known Ogba for long and wished hin success in the spirit despite contesting in the opposition.

He noted that the party was fortifying its fold presently and the people will realise the magnitude of work done presently, during future elections in the state.

“It will be desirable to see our candidates returned unopposed during elections and realising such starts presently,.

The ranks of the opposition is depleting steadily in Ebonyi with mass defections to the APC as political watchers now see the state as tilting towards a one-party state.