Abia Assembly Speaker Welcomes Lawmaker's Defection to Labour Party

The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has formally received the resignation and defection of Hon. Godwin Adiele, the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling Labour Party (LP).

Hon. Adiele announced his decision during the House plenary session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. In a letter addressed to the Speaker, he cited personal reasons and the best interests of his constituents in Ukwa West as the driving factors behind the move.The lawmaker expressed appreciation to the PDP for the platform and exposure it provided him during his tenure.

Speaker Emeruwa welcomed the defection, assuring the House that Hon. Adiele’s choice was well-considered. He remarked metaphorically that “a healthy man does not seek medical attention,” implying confidence in the lawmaker’s decision. The Speaker then read the resignation letter aloud to the assembly, officially acknowledging its receipt.

The development further strengthens the Labour Party’s position in the Abia State House of Assembly, where a substantial majority of members now affiliate with the ruling party under Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

Hon. Adiele’s shift aligns with a pattern of defections to the LP observed in the state legislature in recent years, consolidating the party’s legislative influence.