Former House of Representatives member Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi has officially defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a move seen as a major blow to Governor Soludo's political camp.
Ibezi, a former federal lawmaker and key financial backer of APGA in Anambra State, is popularly known in the area as "Ochiagha Idemili." He was formally received into the NDC on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at a reception in Umuahia attended by Senator Victor Umeh and other party leaders.
Clear Alignment: Backing Obi and Umeh
Speaking at his defection, Ibezi declared his support for Peter Obi's presidential ambition and for Senator Victor Umeh's re-election bid for the Anambra Central senatorial seat.
"We will work tirelessly to ensure all our NDC candidates win in our area," Ibezi said at the event. "That is a guarantee I am giving, and my supporters and I will achieve it together."
He also specifically endorsed the NDC candidates for the Idemili North/South and Orumba North/South federal constituencies, Eric Anyamene and Okwudili Nwankwo.
Hundreds of Supporters Follow
Ibezi did not defect alone. Hundreds of supporters from the Idemili area left APGA with him to join the NDC, describing him as their political leader and saying they would follow him to any party.
Receiving them, Senator Umeh described Ibezi as a "grassroots politician" whose "capacity to mobilise votes is beyond question."
Political Fallout: A Heavy Blow for APGA
Political observers say Ibezi's defection represents a significant setback for APGA. His financial strength and grassroots network had played a key role in previous election cycles, and his exit is expected to disrupt the party's campaign strategy in the region.
The defection also highlights growing divisions within APGA. Notably, Ibezi said "Anambra is a democratic state, and democrats are working together. We reject 'progressive collaboration'" — widely read as a swipe at APGA's alliance with the ruling APC around Tinubu's re-election bid.
The NDC is actively consolidating opposition forces in Anambra. Umeh himself is a former APGA national chairman who led the party to its 2013 governorship victory before defecting to the NDC earlier this year. Analysts say Ibezi's addition will further strengthen the NDC's grassroots mobilisation capacity in Obi's home state.
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