By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The re-election bid of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has received a major boost as Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), led over 150 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The mass defection took place during the “Nnobi for Soludo” campaign rally, which was a colourful event that drew a massive crowd of enthusiastic supporters, party leaders, and community stakeholders, all united in their solidarity for Governor Soludo’s vision of a greater Anambra. The event, it was gathered, was both a celebration of loyalty to the Soludo administration and a demonstration of the growing confidence of the electorate in the Governor’s leadership and achievements.
Addressing the jubilant gathering, Dr. Nelson Omenugha described the defection as indicative of the people’s confidence in Governor Soludo’s exceptional leadership and performance. He noted that the Governor’s achievements in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and youth empowerment had transformed the state and rekindled public trust in government. According to him, the people of Nnobi and Idemili South have felt many impacts of good governance and have chosen to align with a party that truly represents progress, equity, and development.
While recounting how some of the key policies and programmes of the APGA government in the state have benefited the people of Nnobi and Ndi Anambra at large, Dr. Omenugha, who is also the Founder of Youths Earnestly Seek Soludo (YESS), further attested that the event and the mass defection symbolized the ever-growing strength of APGA as the people’s movement, adding that more communities were already mobilizing to join the party in solidarity with Soludo’s Solution Agenda. He further urged the new members to see APGA as a family bound by shared values of service, inclusion, and excellence, while assuring them of fair representation and active involvement in the party’s affairs.
Dr. Omenugha also expressed gratitude to the people of Nnobi for their support and assured them that Governor Soludo would continue to deliver good governance, sustainable development, and inclusive progress across all sectors. He described the movement as “a march toward greater prosperity under the Solution Government.”
Also speaking at the rally, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, lauded the spirit of unity and political maturity displayed by the defectors. She commended Governor Soludo for redefining governance in Anambra through people-centered policies and infrastructural transformation. Prof. Omenugha described the defection as a validation of the Governor’s outstanding leadership, especially in championing education, women inclusion, and youth development across the state.
Among the defectors was Chief Patrick Nwanyiaku, a former APC stalwart and Vice Chairman of Ebenesi Community in Nnobi, who explained that his defection was driven by conviction rather than compulsion, coercion or monetary inducement. He admitted that after years of belonging to different opposition parties without tangible benefits for his community, it had become clear that aligning with APGA was the right decision. He acknowledged the Governor’s remarkable achievements and vowed to mobilize voters across Nnobi Wards 1, 2, and 3 in support of Soludo’s re-election.
Another defector, Chief Okwy Ogujiofor, the APC State Campaign Officer in Idemili South, also declared his support for APGA, pledging to collapse existing party structures in the area to ensure massive votes for Soludo. He described the Governor as a visionary leader whose performance had silenced opposition and won the confidence of the masses.
Welcoming the new members, Hon. Barr. Ebuka Igwe, the Member representing Idemili South State Constituency, praised their courage and foresight in joining the party of the people. He assured them that APGA remains open and accommodating, promising that they would be fully integrated into the political and developmental activities of the council area.
The rally was attended by top political and community figures, including the President-General of Nnobi, Barr. Dom Okpala; Lord Dr. Mike Omenugha; party executives; councilors; and APGA faithful from across Idemili South. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, as special road walks, musical performances, solidarity chants, and general declarations of support were felt across the community, Afọr Nnobi and other public places, reinforcing the people’s confidence in the continuity of Soludo’s administration.
Watch more photos and videos from the event:
