2027: Bende Political Stakeholder Obulandife Dumps APC, Backs Anyaso, Otti

A renowned entrepreneur, community leader and political stakeholder in Bende Ward, Chief Godwin Obulandife, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP), declaring his support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obulandife announced his defection at his country home in Okperenyi Autonomous Community, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, where he cited the candidacy of Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, popularly known as Ofuji, for the Bende Federal Constituency seat and the performance of Governor Alex Chioma Otti as major reasons for his decision.

The political stakeholder said his decision was principally driven by his determination to support Anyaso’s bid to represent Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2027, while also identifying with what he described as the developmental strides of the Otti administration.

He specifically pointed to the ongoing construction of the Okporenyi road as evidence of the government’s renewed attention to the community, stressing that the road had been neglected by previous administrations and representatives.

Obulandife consequently pledged his support for Governor Otti’s re-election bid and the emergence of Anyaso as the next representative of Bende Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.

Welcoming him into the Labour Party, the Councillor representing Bende Ward in the Bende Legislative Council, Hon. Emma Nwankwo, described the defection as a major boost to the party’s political structure in the ward.

Nwankwo said Okperenyi Community had demonstrated strong support for the Labour Party, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory across the three polling units in the community in the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, the President-General of Okperenyi Autonomous Community, Mazi Irole Innocent Emeka, commended the Otti administration for what he described as remembering the community through the ongoing construction of the Okperenyi road.

He pledged the community’s support for Labour Party candidates in the 2027 general elections.

A women leader in the community, Mrs. Irene Ogwa, equally welcomed Obulandife into the Labour Party and pledged the support of women in the community for the party’s candidates.

The ceremony featured an interaction between Obulandife and members of the Labour Party in Okperenyi, during which the new party member reiterated his commitment to the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.

However, Obulandife made a cash donation to support the logistics needs of party members who attended the declaration ceremony.