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APC Chieftain Defects to Labour Party, Backs Anyaso in Bende
APC Chieftain Defects to Labour Party, Backs Anyaso in Bende
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Chief Michael Okoronkwo, popularly known as BOKINGS, has defected to the Labour Party (LP) and declared support for its candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr Chima Desmond Anyaso.
Okoronkwo announced his defection when Anyaso and members of his campaign team visited his country home in Ezialayi, saying the candidate’s emergence and decision to engage directly with the community influenced his decision.
The former APC chieftain said Bende required a new approach to political representation, particularly one that would prioritise empowerment and the interests of the people beyond election periods.
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“I am joining the Labour Party because of you, Chima Anyaso. For the fact that you stepped in here, you will win your election 100 percent in Alayi,” he said.
Okoronkwo also criticised what he described as a political culture in which supporters work for politicians during elections but receive little or no empowerment afterwards.
“The other people, you will suffer and work for them, and they choose who to empower. We can’t continue that way,” he said.
Anyaso welcomes defection
Reacting to the development, Anyaso thanked Okoronkwo for what he described as a bold decision, assuring him that he would be welcomed and treated as a valued member of the Labour Party.
“This is the first place we are coming to in Alayi, and I am happy that today our brother is joining the Labour Party because of us,” Anyaso said.
The LP candidate described the defection as a sign of growing support for what he called a people-centred political movement in Bende.
“No matter how darkness fills up a place, light will definitely come,” he said.
Anyaso urged other sons and daughters of Bende to put aside personal interests and support a political movement focused on the collective welfare and development of the constituency.
“The past is about their pocket; this time is for Bende people. This is the time for Bende people,” he said.
Explains rotation arrangement
Addressing the people of Alayi, Anyaso also spoke on the rotation of the Bende Federal Constituency seat among the political blocs in the constituency.
He recalled that the House of Representatives seat had previously moved from Alayi to Bende Ward and argued that, based on the existing understanding, the seat should return to Umunna, represented by Igbere, in 2027 before moving to another ward in Ikwuisii after another eight-year period.
“It is important that everyone joins this train that will offer quality representation to Bende,” Anyaso said.
He promised to provide what he described as effective and quality representation if elected, urging the people of Alayi and other communities to unite behind his candidacy.
The Director General of the Chima Anyaso Campaign Organisation, Pastor Dike Okechukwu, formally welcomed Okoronkwo into the Labour Party and urged him to begin mobilising supporters across Alayi and the wider Bende Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 election.
Those present at the event were; the Councillor representing Alayi Ward in the Bende Legislative Council, Hon. Okechukwu Okoronkwo; Deputy Director of Women Mobilisation in the campaign, Dr Mrs Naomi Thompson; Chairman of the Labour Party in Alayi Ward, Mr John Eke Ejere; Coordinator of Abia Arise in Alayi, Ejere Anyaele; and other party leaders and supporter
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