Hon. Akaliro Kelechi Anderson, who represents Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has officially announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP). This move signifies a further blow to the APC, an opposition party already experiencing internal strife within the state. Hon. Akaliro communicated his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the APC chairman of Umuahia North LGA, attributing his departure to profound internal crises, factionalization, and what he characterized as the collapse of effective leadership structures within the Abia State chapter of the APC.

As the sole elected APC member in the State Assembly following the 2023 general election and the chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions and Judiciary, Hon. Akaliro expressed deep dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership. He lamented being sidelined despite his mandate, stating, “Since my inauguration, the APC in Abia has never extended an invitation to me, formal or informal, for any meeting or activity, thereby undermining my relevance and mandate.” Furthermore, he criticized the frequent suspensions and counter-suspensions of party officials across various wards and local government areas, describing these actions as clear indications of “irreversible disunity” within the party.

After extensive consultations with his constituents and political allies, the lawmaker declared his intention to align with Governor Alex Otti’s Labour Party-led administration. Hon. Akaliro lauded Governor Otti’s leadership as “visionary and development-oriented.” Addressing journalists post-resignation, he, popularly known as “The man with excess grace,” affirmed his loyalty to Governor Otti, stating, “Today, I’ve seen the light. Before now, I’ve been watching the man called His Excellency Dr. Alex Choma-Otti to know where he’s coming from and where he’s headed. So today I’ve decided to join His Excellency Dr. Alex Choma-Otti in the Labour Party because I’ve looked at the things he has done so far for the good of our state.”

He continued to praise the Governor’s performance, asserting, “Abia is number one in virtually everything, catching him across the nooks and crannies of the state. I am proud to say, truly, I’m an Abian. Judging from his antecedents and what he has done, I had thought he was just a banker, but I never knew that he was a seasoned administrator. He came prepared for the job. And today, I’m really, really happy. And my constituents are excited that I’ve decided to join the moving train. I know he’s taking us to the proper destination, and Abia has always rejoiced. Abia will be happy with him, and Abia will continue to be happy with him.”

Hon. Akaliro highlighted specific achievements of Governor Otti’s administration, including strides in education, infrastructure development, and social development, pointing to initiatives like housing and smart schools across Abia State. He remarked that even “the blind could see that, truly, this man came prepared for the work, and he’s doing it seamlessly.” He admitted that his role as an opposition figure had become “very difficult” due to Governor Otti’s consistent delivery on promises. “He made my job as a former opposition person very, very difficult because I had no need to criticise him. Even when the thought comes up for me, in the next moment, he’s doing it. So he’s making it very, very difficult for me. I had no other choice but to join him because I know he’s the right man for this job. No other, I repeat, no other person can do better.”

Concluding his declaration, Hon. Akaliro stated, “I’m officially declaring, and I want to be known as Honourable Barrister Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, the man with excess grace, representing the good people of Umuahia North State Constituency as a member of the Labour Party.” This defection further diminishes the APC’s political presence in Abia State, while simultaneously strengthening the burgeoning influence of Governor Otti’s Labour Party.