A former Governor of Abia State has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development involves Senator Theodore Orji, the third civilian governor of Abia State, who has now formally aligned with the ruling party at the centre.
His defection marks a significant moment in the state’s political landscape, given his long-standing influence within the PDP.
Senator Orji served as governor of Abia State for two terms before moving to the National Assembly, where he represented Abia Central Senatorial District between 2015 and 2023.
Although he had earlier announced that he was stepping away from active politics, he remained a card-carrying member of the PDP until now.
His decision to leave the party did not come as a complete surprise to close political watchers. Months ago, his son, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, who once served as Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, exited the PDP amid deepening internal disagreements.
That move sparked widespread speculation that the elder Orji might eventually follow the same path.
Those speculations have now been confirmed. Despite keeping a low profile in recent times, the former governor has completed his move to the APC, ending decades of association with the PDP.
The defection is being viewed by analysts as a major setback for the PDP in Abia State, especially considering Senator Orji’s role as one of the party’s key figures and major stabilising forces over the years. His exit is expected to reshape political alignments ahead of future elections.
Confirmation of the development came from his media aide, Mr. Ifeanyi Umere, who stated that the decision was taken on a personal basis. He noted that no formal explanation was issued regarding the reasons behind the defection.
Reactions to the move have been mixed across the state. While APC supporters have described it as a boost to the party’s growing presence in the South-East, PDP loyalists fear it could further weaken the party’s structure and chances of recovery in Abia.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.