Abia Assembly member, Obasi joins LP after closed-door meeting with Otti

The member representing Ohafia North constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Mandela Obasi, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and joined the Labour Party, LP.

Obasi confirmed his defection to journalists on Wednesday at Governor Alex Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA, after holding a closed-door meeting with Governor Otti, his Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, and other politicians.

The three-term member of the Abia State House of Assembly explained that his decision to join the Labour Party was hinged on what he described as the visible works of Governor Otti across Abia State, adding that crises in the PDP drove him away.

“I am leaving PDP, and the reason why I’m leaving PDP is because we don’t have a leader any longer.

“Some of us in PDP, their legs are in ADC; some in APC, so what am I doing there? If you check in the Abia State House of Assembly, I’m one of the last men standing there in PDP,” Obasi said.

He announced that a later date would be set for the defection of his large group of supporters into the LP.

With Obasi’s defection, PDP is now left with only one lawmaker in the Abia State House of Assembly.

Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Austin Akobundu, who represents Abia Central district, resigned from the PDP, citing crises within the umbrella party as the reason for his decision.