Political realignment has taken place in Enugu State as a group of more than 6,000 members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) announced their move into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The group, headed by Godwin Obasi, an NDC figure in the state, made the switch official at a ceremony attended by PDP leaders in Enugu on Sunday.
Obasi explained that dissatisfaction over the NDC’s choice of candidates for some elective offices contributed to the decision. He said the members involved in the move came from every local government area and ward in the state.
“We decided that we were going to join the PDP. It is our right and choice. So, after he congregated, we are here today to officially join the PDP. And we are over 6,000 of us. We are from all the 260 wards and 17 local government areas in the state, and all of us have moved into the PDP from today,” he stated.
The development was welcomed by the state PDP leadership. Its chairman, Chief Vitus Okechi, assured the newcomers that they would be treated as full members and given opportunities to contribute to the party’s programmes and activities.
The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Chief Uche Nnaji, equally welcomed the group, promising that their membership would be fully recognised within the party.
Nnaji used the occasion to criticise the performance of the state government, arguing that residents needed to play a greater role in seeking what he described as a new direction for Enugu.
He particularly took issue with the state’s tax policies, alleging that taxation had become a major feature of the All Progressives Congress-led administration while meaningful development remained lacking.
According to him, the government had gone as far as imposing taxes on newborns and deceased persons, allegations he linked to concerns over the impact of revenue collection on residents.
He said, “Our pensioners are not being paid. Enugu is the only place where pensions and gratuities are not being paid to our people. Nothing is paid to our people. Everybody is in a mess. Imo and Anambra pay their pensions and gratuities to date. What sin have we committed in Enugu State?
“And President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released so much money to all the states. What this government here has received is more than what the three previous governors — Chimaroke, Sullivan and Gbagbo — put together. What they received in 24 years, this government has received in about three years. We are talking of trillions.”
The PDP candidate also raised questions about the level of internally generated revenue reported by the state government in 2025, alleging that the figures had been achieved at the expense of residents’ welfare.
He consequently appealed to people across the state to take an active part in efforts aimed at changing the direction of governance in Enugu.
