Ex-Nwifuru’s Commissioner Joins PDP, Accuses APC Chairman Of Indiscipline
By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters
A former commissioner in governor Nwifuru’s cabinet who resigned in the build up to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, Engineer Felix Ogbonna Igboke, has officially defected to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with his teeming supporters.
Hon. Igboke announced his defection on Saturday during a PDP stakeholders’ meeting held at Isu Okoma Community School in Onicha Local Government Area.
The former commissioner for project monitoring has served as a councillor, development centre coordinator, chairman of Onicha Local Government Area and contested under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 to represent Onicha/Ohaozara/Ivo Federal Constituency, but lost to the Labour Party (LP).
He moved with over ten (10,000) of his supporters to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of preparation for 2027 general election.
He described his return to the PDP as a homecoming to a political platform he helped build and strengthen over the years.
Addressing party leaders, stakeholders and supporters at the gathering, Igboke expressed gratitude to the leadership of the PDP in Ebonyi State, particularly the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, whom he described as the leader of the party and the state’s incoming governor.
He also commended the state chairman and other party officials for welcoming him and thousands of his supporters back into the party.
Reflecting on his political journey, Igboke recalled serving as a councillor, development centre coordinator, and later Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area under the PDP before joining the APC alongside some political associates.
According to him, his decision to return to the PDP was motivated by the need to reunite with the political family he helped establish and nurture.
The former council boss expressed confidence that his defection would bolster the PDP’s grassroots structures and electoral fortunes ahead of future elections, insisting that he was returning with over 10,000 loyal supporters spread across various communities in the state.
He described the movement as a formidable political force capable of significantly influencing future electoral outcomes in Ebonyi State.
Taking a swipe at the leadership of the APC, Igboke accused some party officials of engaging in anti-party activities while allegedly manipulating the party structure for personal interests.
He specifically alleged that the state APC chairman was involved in anti-party activities without facing disciplinary measures from the party leadership.
“The APC chairman is playing anti-party politics, yet nothing is being done about it. The party structure has been hijacked for personal interests, and that is one of the reasons many of us decided to leave,” he said.
Igboke further alleged that some of his supporters, particularly women, encountered intimidation and other obstacles while attempting to participate in the event. Despite this, he urged his followers to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that political differences should never lead to violence.
While maintaining that he held no personal grudges against members of his former party, whom he described as friends, the former chairman declared his total commitment to the PDP and urged his supporters to identify solely with the opposition party going forward.
He pledged to work with other stakeholders to strengthen and reposition the PDP in Ebonyi while mobilising support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
