Chimaobi Atu Dumps Labour Party for APC Over Internal Wrangling

Chimaobi Atu, a member of the House of Representatives, has defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within his former party.

Atu, who represents Enugu North/South federal constituency, officially announced his defection on Thursday during plenary. The speaker of the house, Tajudeen Abbas, read Atu’s letter of defection on the floor of the green chamber.

The lawmaker said he was compelled to leave the LP due to what he described as ongoing discord that has hindered his legislative responsibilities.

In his defection notice, Atu said the “protracted wrangling” in the party “has negatively affected his duties.”

His decision sparked protest from Ali Isa, minority whip, who demanded that the speaker declare Atu’s seat vacant in line with constitutional provisions regarding party defection. Abbas acknowledged Isa’s point of order but did not rule on the matter.

Atu is the latest in a string of defections hitting opposition parties in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.

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Earlier in the week, two other lawmakers — Peter Akpanke of Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara federal constituency (formerly of PDP) and Paul Nnamchi of Enugu East/Isi-Uzo federal constituency (formerly of LP) — also joined the APC.

Joseph Nwobashi, representing Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency of Ebonyi, completed the week’s wave of defections by moving from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to the APC.

The spate of defections underscores growing instability in opposition ranks and a consolidating push by the APC ahead of the next electoral cycle.