Anyaso woos ex-Abia lawmaker Apugo to Labour Party, backs Otti’s re-election

The Labour Party’s candidate for Bende Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, has intensified efforts to expand the party’s political base with an appeal to former Abia State House of Assembly member, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo, to defect to the Labour Party.

Anyaso made the appeal on Friday during a courtesy visit to Apugo’s country home in Nkata Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area, where he described the Labour Party as the most credible platform for leaders committed to selfless service and good governance.

He said the administration of Governor Alex Otti had repositioned Abia State through purposeful leadership, arguing that patriotic leaders should align with the party to sustain the state’s development trajectory.

“I came to tell you that this is the time to join us. We have a Governor who has placed Abia on the global map and transformed the fortunes of our people for good,” Anyaso said.

The Bende federal constituency hopeful stressed that politics should be driven by service to the people rather than personal ambition, maintaining that members of his political movement were united by a shared commitment to public service.

“We have seen the light. Abia is working, and there is no reason to support any political platform that seeks to derail the progress already achieved. Governor Alex Otti needs people who are intentional about serving the people,” he added.

Responding, Hon. Apugo, who represented Umuahia East State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, praised Governor Otti’s administration for what he described as its responsive leadership.

He disclosed that the government approved the Certificate of Occupancy for his private school after previous attempts to secure the document during his tenure in office proved unsuccessful.

“The Certificate of Occupancy for my school, which I could not obtain while I was in power, was approved under Governor Alex Otti’s administration,” Apugo stated.

The former lawmaker also expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, alleging that he was sidelined after the last House of Representatives election.

He further declared that he would not support any APC candidate contesting for a National Assembly seat in the 2027 general elections.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Chima Anyaso Campaign Organization, Pastor Dike Okechukwu, said the delegation visited Apugo to solicit his support for the Labour Party and Governor Otti’s re-election bid.

According to him, Apugo’s eventual decision to join the Labour Party would significantly strengthen the party’s political structure in Ibeku and across the state.

Also speaking, a Labour Party chieftain and former Chief of Staff to a former Governor of Abia State, Prof. A.C.B. Agbazuere, urged the former legislator to embrace the Labour Party, describing Governor Otti’s administration as one that has earned the confidence and support of the people through its performance.

Agbazuere maintained that backing the continuity of the present administration was in the overall interest of Abia State, noting that the governor’s achievements had continued to attract widespread public goodwill.