The lawmaker representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, has defected to the Labour Party after resigning from the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Ikwechegh disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists following a closed-door meeting with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, at the governor’s residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
He said his visit was to formally notify the governor of his decision and to receive his blessings as the party’s national leader.
“I visited the governor this evening to receive his blessings. As you may or may not know, I have received my Labour Party card as a new member of the party,” Ikwechegh stated.
The federal lawmaker confirmed that he had resigned from APGA before joining the Labour Party, dismissing speculation that he had defected to the All Progressives Congress after a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
He clarified that his presence at the Presidential Villa was solely to attend an Iftar event hosted by the President.
“There have been speculations that after I met with the President, I joined the APC. This is not true.
“We went to observe the Iftar with the President, and I appreciate him for that fatherly gesture.
“I do not have anything against my brothers and sisters who have decided to join the APC or the City Boys group.
“What I would say is that politics is about interest. There could be a figure nine before you and a figure six in front of you; it all depends on your perspective,” Ikwechegh stated.
He explained that his move to the Labour Party was influenced by his admiration for Governor Otti’s leadership style, describing him as result-driven. According to him, the visible transformation in Abia State under Otti’s administration played a key role in his decision.
Ikwechegh said he believes the Labour Party remains a suitable platform for progressive-minded individuals and commended the party’s leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha. He added that Nigeria’s multi-party democracy thrives when opposition parties play active roles in promoting accountability.
He urged residents and other Nigerians to register with the Labour Party, noting that an online registration link would soon be made available.
Also speaking, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency and Leader of the Labour Party caucus in the National Assembly, Ginger Onwusibe, welcomed Ikwechegh into the party.
Onwusibe disclosed that Ikwechegh resigned from APGA last week before joining the Labour Party, adding that the caucus in Abuja had earlier received him prior to his formal presentation to the governor.
“As caucus leader, I came with him to demonstrate clearly that he is now a member of the Labour Party,” he said.
He described the defection as a significant boost for the party and expressed confidence that it would strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 general election. Onwusibe likened the development to a football club signing a talented player, noting that such additions reinforce a team’s competitiveness.
“We are very happy that he is now in our family. This is one of the best signings the Labour Party has made, and it will manifest in the 2027 election.
“He saw the good works of the governor and the work of Labour Party members in the National Assembly from Abia State are doing, like Amobi Ogah and others. Very soon, he will also make his own contributions.
“So he feels he is better off in this family than where he was,” Onwusibe stated.
What you should know
Alex Ikwechegh has officially left APGA to join the Labour Party, citing alignment with Governor Alex Otti’s leadership and the party’s ideology.
He dismissed claims of joining the APC after meeting President Tinubu, insisting his attendance at a Presidential Iftar was misinterpreted.
The Labour Party leadership has described his defection as a strategic gain ahead of the 2027 elections.
