Delta Rep, Ngozi Okolie Dumps Labour Party for APC, Cites Leadership Crisis

Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okolie, who was elected on the LP platform during the 2023 general elections, made the announcement while speaking with journalists in Asaba on Saturday.

“I am no longer a member of the Labour Party,” he said. “I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I believe this decision will bring progress and more good things to my people.”

Explaining the rationale behind his defection, Okolie said the Labour Party was plagued by internal disarray and lacked cohesive leadership.

“To be honest, the Labour Party is disorganized. There is no direction and the problems are too many. I don’t think we can make progress in the National Assembly with all that confusion,” he said.

Reacting to the development, the Labour Party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Tony Ezeagwu, dismissed Okolie’s defection as inconsequential.

“Let me tell you, since he came to power through our platform which he is discrediting now, he never connected with the party and lacked visibility in Abuja where he is sent to represent the people. He was one man alone,” Ezeagwu stated.

He also disclosed that Okolie recently convened a meeting with LP officials from the four local government areas in his constituency, but the local government chairmen walked out on him.

“As you can see, he defected alone. So we are not going to lose sleep at all,” Ezeagwu added.

Okolie’s defection adds to the growing list of lawmakers abandoning the LP following the 2023 elections, amid concerns over internal wrangling and strategic direction within the party.