- Senator Ifeanyi Ubah reveals reasons behind his defection from the YPP to the APC, emphasizing the need to reintegrate the Southeast into national politics
- The APC’s representation in the Senate increases to 60 members, while minority party lawmakers decrease to 49, following Senator Ubah’s defection
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, has shed light on his recent defection from the Young Peoples Party (YPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In his announcement, he cited the need to collaborate with others and reintegrate the Southeast into national politics as a primary reason for his move.
The decision to switch parties was conveyed through a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday. In the letter, Senator Ubah mentioned irreconcilable differences between him and the YPP’s leadership as the driving force behind his defection.
As a result of this move, the APC’s representation in the Senate increased to 60 members, while the number of lawmakers from minority parties decreased from 50 to 49.
Reasons Behind the Defection
In his letter, Senator Ubah highlighted the commitment of the APC to principles such as good governance, economic development, and social progress, particularly at the federal level, as factors that influenced his decision. He stressed his progressive agenda for the Igbo nation and his aspiration to restore its significance in national politics.
Speaking through his media aide, Kameh Chuks, Senator Ubah emphasized that his move to the APC is motivated by the desire to reconnect the South East with the national political centre. He aims to play a role in post-Buhari era negotiations for the Southeast’s security, infrastructural development, and fair distribution of national resources.
Senator Ubah’s statement explained, “This decision is to help many of my people and bring about better democratic dividends and interventions aimed at addressing the insecurity in the Southeast region.”
APC’s Reaction
Upon receiving Senator Ubah at the APC’s headquarters, the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described the defection as the beginning of a journey to secure control of the entire states in the South East region. He stressed the need for the APC to expand its presence in the South East, arguing that the current division of the region among four political parties is unsustainable.
Ganduje said, “This is the biggest catch we’ve made. Let’s observe the current situation in the South East, where different political parties control three out of the five states.”
YPP’s Response
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) expressed disappointment with Senator Ubah’s defection to the APC. The YPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, emphasized that the party is aware of the legal implications of the Senator’s move. The YPP is prepared to explore available legal options within the confines of the law, with further information on the matter to be shared with the public in the coming days.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s defection to the APC highlights the ongoing political realignments and the South East’s significance in the evolving political landscape.