OBINGWA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State suffered what many are calling a “terminal blow” on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as high-ranking lawmaker Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr. officially dumped the umbrella for the broom, taking over 5,000 supporters with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection of Erondu Jr., who represents the Obingwa-West State Constituency, has effectively decimated the PDP’s presence in the 24-member House of Assembly. Once the undisputed “landlord” of Abia politics for 24 years, the PDP is now left with just two lonely lawmakers in the chambers, while the APC, which started the session with only one member, has now tripled its strength to three.
The Defection Ceremony
The atmosphere in Nenu, Obingwa LGA—traditionally a PDP stronghold—was electric as the former LGA Chairman and current Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service Matters was received into the APC. The ceremony was a high-octane affair attended by APC bigwigs, including former Deputy Governor Chris Akomas.
“I am moving to a more viable platform to attract the dividends of democracy to my people in Obingwa-West and Abia South,” Erondu Jr. declared to the cheering crowd. In a move that surprised many, he pledged his total loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, describing the President’s economic reforms as “bold, necessary, and the only way forward for Nigeria.”
The “Kalu Factor” and the Labour Tsunami
Political insiders suggest that this “earthquake” is the result of months of backroom overtures by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Kalu has been on an aggressive mission to “paint Abia South blue” and expand the APC’s footprint in a region long dominated by the PDP and, more recently, the Labour Party (LP).
While the Labour Party maintains a commanding lead in the House with 19 members supporting Governor Alex Otti, the PDP’s rapid evaporation is seen as a sign of a party in its final throes. Just last week, Hon. Godwin Adiele (Ukwa West) also fled the PDP for the Labour Party, citing the Governor’s performance as his primary motivation.
“Political Prostitution”—Nigerians Blast the Move
As news of the defection hit the wires, Nigerians across social media and the streets of Umuahia reacted with a mix of mockery and sharp criticism. For many, the “mass migration” to the APC is less about development and more about political survival ahead of 2027.
- “Stomach Infrastructure”:Â “These politicians move from party to party like they are changing clothes,” remarked Chidi Ezirim, an Aba-based trader. “Erondu was a PDP ‘lord’ for years. Now that the PDP is sinking, he finds ‘bold reforms’ in the APC. This is not about the people; it’s about his next meal.”
- “The Death of Opposition”:Â Critics on X (formerly Twitter) blasted the lawmakers for effectively creating a one-party state. “When everyone runs to the ruling party, who will check the government? The PDP in Abia has become a shadow of itself, and the APC is just picking up the pieces to please Aso Rock,” another resident noted.
- “Tinubu 2027 Focus”: Nigerians expressed frustration that lawmakers are already pledging loyalty for 2027 while the 2026 budget is facing heat and the economy remains fragile. “A bag of rice is over ₦100,000, but our lawmakers are busy doing ‘welcome ceremonies’ for 2027. It’s a national embarrassment,” a popular post on Facebook read.
The Road to 2027
With only two PDP members left in the House, the party’s leadership in the state is facing an existential crisis. Analysts warn that if the “Kalu-led offensive” continues, the PDP may become completely extinct in the South-East before the next election cycle.
As Hon. Erondu Jr. settles into his new political home, the question in the minds of many Abians remains: Is this a genuine move for the “bold reforms” of the President, or just another “strategic jump” by a politician sensing the changing winds?
