Anambra LP Chieftain Ozoigbo Dumps Party, Joins APC, Praises Tinubu, Ukachukwu

A prominent Labour Party figure in Anambra State, Fabian Ozoigbo, has formally resigned from the party and declared his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economy. Ozoigbo, who served as the Head of Logistics for the Labour Party’s National Campaign Organisation during the 2023 presidential election, announced his defection during a press conference in Awka on Wednesday.

In his remarks, Ozoigbo expressed surprise at the resilience of Nigeria’s economy following the removal of fuel subsidy, a move many critics feared would lead to economic collapse. He praised President Tinubu’s administration for what he described as its unexpected ability to keep the economy afloat despite the challenges.

“As a member of the opposition, I had expected the economy to collapse irretrievably after the removal of fuel subsidy, but that the economy is still on, though with hardships, is a puzzle to me,” Ozoigbo told reporters. “I have decided to come close to the government that is holding this economy to observe and take part in this surprising phenomenon. My goal is to be part of a new Nigeria that is possible with positive policies that will turn the economy around.”

He described his decision to join the APC as timely, especially with the upcoming November 8 Anambra governorship election. Ozoigbo voiced support for APC’s candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who he said represents a grassroots movement capable of bridging class divides in the state. He commended Ukachukwu’s philanthropy and local appeal, suggesting that his candidacy could galvanize broader support across social classes.

“APC in recent times threw up a Trojan horse in the person of Prince Nicolas Ukachukwu as their candidate,” he said. “His emergence is a clarion call for all men of goodwill and good conscience to gather together to make the point that Anambra is not for only rich people but for both the rich and the poor.”

Reflecting on his former party, Ozoigbo criticized internal divisions within the Labour Party during and after the 2023 presidential election. He pointed to what he described as deep-seated distrust among members and questioned the party’s reliance on electoral results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—despite publicly discrediting those results—during its legal challenge.

Ozoigbo’s move adds to a growing list of defections reshaping the political landscape in Anambra as parties gear up for what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship election.