A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Clara Nnabuife, has officially defected from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Nnabuife, who represents the Orumba North/Orumba South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, attributed her defection to a lack of inclusion in YPP’s political activities. She expressed her desire to align with a party that better represents the interests and aspirations of her constituents.
Her defection was formally announced during Thursday’s plenary session at the National Assembly. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, read Nnabuife’s letter of defection to the lawmakers.
Reason for Defection
Citing her decision, Nnabuife stated that her exclusion from the affairs of YPP influenced her move to APGA, a party with deep political roots in Anambra State. According to her, APGA provides a stronger platform for engaging with the electorate and fulfilling the mandate given to her by the people of Orumba North and South.
“The exclusion from the activities of YPP and the need to embrace a better platform to represent the wishes of my people is the reason for this decision,” the letter read.
Political Implications
Nnabuife’s defection comes at a time when political parties in Anambra State are gearing up for the 2025 governorship election. APGA, as the ruling party in Anambra, has been making strategic moves to consolidate its political dominance ahead of the polls.
Political analysts suggest that her move could bolster APGA’s presence in the National Assembly, where the party has been striving to expand its influence beyond Anambra State. Meanwhile, YPP, which has struggled with internal cohesion, may see this as a setback as it works to maintain its foothold in the state.
Anambra’s Political Landscape
The political climate in Anambra remains dynamic, with APGA, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP) all positioning themselves for the upcoming gubernatorial election. APGA, which has governed Anambra since 2006, recently assured party faithful of a free and fair primary election to select its flagbearer for the 2025 polls.
Additionally, the party has pegged its nomination form at ₦30 million, a move that underscores the seriousness of the race.
With Nnabuife’s defection, political observers will be keenly watching how her move influences APGA’s strategy in both the National Assembly and the state’s governorship race.
