Mandela Obasi, the lawmaker representing Ohafia North state constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, says he has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the Labour Party.

Mr Obasi announced his defection during an interactive session with newsmen after having a closed-door meeting with Governor Alex Otti, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

He said he decided to join LP to fully identify with the governor, given the developmental projects his administration is executing across the state.

He said that the governor’s development agenda had made it easier for politicians to engage with their constituents.

“I officially came here to identify myself with the governor of Abia and to join him properly in the Labour Party because of the good work he is doing in the state.

“The good work of the governor is visible across Abia. Even in my constituency, people point to roads and other projects executed by his government,” Mr Obasi said.

Mr Obasi  also said that when people travel to Abiriba, his community, they readily acknowledge the projects carried out by the Abia government. He said that such visible achievements make things easier for politicians seeking the people’s mandate.

Mr Obasi  said that the governor’s projects were not limited to major towns in the state but also extended to rural communities.

The lawmaker also attributed his defection to internal wrangling within the PDP, which, he said, had left the party without clear leadership.

“I am leaving PDP because we no longer have a leader. Some members of the party are already aligning with other parties. If you check the Abia House of Assembly, I am among the few members still remaining in PDP,” Mr Obasi said.

Mr Obasi said he had exercised patience for a long time but had decided to leave because the party was irredeemably declining. He also expressed optimism that his supporters and political associates in his constituency would join him in LP “in due course”.

According to Mr Obasi , his political structure remains strong in the constituency.

(NAN)