Abia State’s “moribund” Peoples Democratic Party was replaced on Monday by the All Progressives Congress by loyalists of Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governor.

The former governor of Abia State’s chief of staff, Anthony Agbazuere; a former commissioner for information and strategy from Umunneochi, Eze Chikamnayo; a former commissioner for public utilities, Eze Nwanganga; a former commissioner for the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, Chief Uzo Ihuka; a former chairman of ASOPADEC, and Chimezie Okoronkwo, who represented Abia State in the Niger Delta development commission.

Before the APC’s scheduled Tuesday zonal caucus meeting, which will be led by the party’s national welfare secretary, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, and minister of state for labor and employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, they deserted their previous party during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Umunneochi.

The announcement of their departure from the PDP, which has caused controversy among the opposition party in Abia State, was made during the APC stakeholders meeting, which was called by the minister in her country home at Isuochi, Abia State home.

Several prominent PDP members from the state’s 17 local government districts and three senatorial districts, as well as a mainstay of the party from Obingwa Local Government Area, Elder Godwin Nna, are among the other decampees.

The feud intensified when their defection occurred less than three weeks after an alleged PDP caucus meeting in Abia State, which was allegedly held at Okezie Ikpeazu’s home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa country.

It was speculated that this meeting was a part of Ikpeazu and other PDP members’ strategic plan to either reclaim their lost power in the state from the ruling Labour Party, or to previously join the APC.

A source said, “Though the camp of the immediate past governor has remained quiet over the mass defection of its members from the PDP, others have suggested that Agbazuere and others joining the APC would herald the long anticipated defection of former Governor Ikpeazu to the APC.”

However, APC National Welfare Secretary, Hon. Nwankpa in a telephone interview said, “The coming of PDP members into the APC shows that Abians have started realising and embracing APC as the alternative party that they have to drive, not only their political ambitions, but to create the necessary change that the state and its citizens yearn for.

“It is just political realignment and reintegration. It is part of the political revolution. Their coming will further strengthen the APC. They assured that they are bringing value and followership. They said that they felt that they want to be part of the national grid; that they have a lot to offer and that they see APC as the party that has the solution to Abia problem. We are building up.”