ABUJA — Member of the House of Representatives, Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is exceeding expectations in the Southeast, as he defended his recent defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker, who represents Udi-Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, described Tinubu’s leadership as bold, inclusive, and transformational, particularly highlighting key national policies and ongoing infrastructure development in the Southeast as reasons for his support.
“APC under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done very well by my own objective assessment,” Umeha said in an interview. He pointed to Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies and the tax reforms initiated through multiple bills in the National Assembly as major achievements.
He also cited progress in national security, and said the president’s approach shows a willingness to take politically risky but necessary decisions. “If there is no pain, there may be no gain,” he said, acknowledging public hardship while expressing confidence in the administration’s long-term agenda.
‘Tinubu Is Carrying Southeast Along’
Umeha defended Tinubu’s commitment to unity and inclusiveness, saying the president has demonstrated respect for the Southeast through multiple visits to the region and landmark developmental projects.
He noted that key infrastructure initiatives—such as the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha expressways, the Second Niger Bridge, and the Makurdi-Obollo-Afor-Opi-9th Mile Road—are signs of meaningful engagement. He also praised the recent establishment of the South East Development Commission.
“This government is giving the Igbo a sense of belonging,” Umeha said. “Today, the APC government is showing them that they own equal rights with other parts of Nigeria.”
Cites Labour Party Crisis for Defection
While lauding the APC’s development drive, Umeha also cited internal leadership crises in the Labour Party as a key reason for his defection. “The LP at the moment has no less than three factions… Every effort to resolve the problem proved abortive,” he said.
According to Umeha, the decision to switch parties was not taken lightly. “It was the choice made by the people, not by me,” he said, claiming broad grassroots support across Udi and Ezeagu for the move to APC.
‘Our People Need the Centre’
He emphasized the practical benefits of aligning with the ruling party, noting that his constituents are in dire need of improved roads, water, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
He also said his membership of APC would provide better access to federal interventions, including boreholes, health facilities, and civil service jobs for his constituency. “That’s the best decision,” he stated.
APC Gaining Ground in Enugu
Umeha described the APC as a “moving train” in Enugu State, attracting waves of defections not only from the LP but also from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It’s happening like a miracle,” he said, crediting the leadership style of Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and APC state chairman Ugochukwu Agballa for the party’s growing popularity. “I see APC taking over the Lion Building in 2027,” he added, referring to the Enugu State Government House.
Political Realignment Favouring APC
Umeha said APC is emerging as the biggest beneficiary of the current political realignment in Enugu State, both in terms of numbers and quality of entrants. He highlighted the appointment of a local as Chief of Naval Staff, ongoing road projects, and the siting of a solar power assembly plant in Ugbawka as examples of Enugu’s growing federal relevance under APC rule.
He also noted that Enugu was chosen as headquarters for the newly established South East Development Commission, further cementing the state’s strategic importance in the APC-led government.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Umeha expressed hope that an APC-led Enugu State government could revive industries, drive employment, and modernize infrastructure. “The way the whole thing is going, our belief in APC will not fail us. It will benefit us a lot,” he concluded.
