John Ugo and Kamsi Anayo
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing Anambra South Senatorial District has dumped the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The new move has set the stage for intense political alignment and realignment ahead of 2025 governorship election in the state.
Senator Ubah is seen as a force to reckon with in the politics of the state and there are strong indications that he will contest the next gubernatorial election in Anambra state.
He is touted by analysts to be rooting for a stronger political platform to actualize his ambition for Agu Awka Government House, a dream he could not realize under his former party, YPP which he has spent a lot to build.
Ubah had earlier left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) when Chief Victor Oye was National Chairman of the party and Chief Norbert Obi held sway as the state chairman
They had reneged on their initial agreement involving the Senatorial ticket of the party after Ubah strongly supported the second term or reelection bid of the ex-governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
Also, Ubah turned down the offer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial ticket which was later secured by self acclaimed godfather, Chief Chris Uba.
He chose the YPP platform which he solely nutured and doggedly supported to secure three seats in the Anambra state House of Assembly, a National Assembly seat of Orumba North and South federal Constituency, and a Senatorial seat which he occupied for a second term in office.
Hon. Kameh Chuks, Media Assistant to Senator Ubah, who confirmed the latest development said that the defection was done on Thursday on the floor of the National Assembly.
He stated that what is left is for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to officially receive him during a planned official visit to Anambra state.
According to him, “The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Ubah (CON) has officially joined Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This was read on the floor of the Senate at a brief plenary held today (Thursday) by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio”
“Senator Ubah, by this move, aims to join forces with other Igbo Progressives and stakeholders in changing the present disadvantaged position of Ndi Igbo in the National politics”
Senator Ubah while announcing his declaration for the APC said, “Today, I have moved from the Young Progressives Party, (YPP,) to the All Progressives Congress, in accordance with my Progressive agenda for an Igbo nation that will take back its pride of place in the national hemisphere.”
Hon. Kameh said, “The idea bearer, Senator Ubah, by this deft move, is pushing for a reconnect to the centre in the post Buhari era in order to help negotiate better on the various needs of the Southeast region in terms of security, infrastructural development and restoration of the Igbo man’s pride of place in the equitable distribution of national resources.
“According to Senator Ubah while addressing the media after the plenary, the idea that things have gotten so bad that politicians from other zones can afford to lose the votes from the five southeastern states and yet win presidential election is a huge anomaly that contributed hugely to my decision to lead my people back into national reckoning”.
“Recall that Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has set an unprecedented record in national politics by adopting the YPP berthed in 2017 and using the political platform to not just win his Senatorial elections in 2019 and 2023 but also successfully midwifed the election of a YPP Federal House of Representatives seat as well as three state Houses of Assembly seats with two other Federal House of Representatives seats reportedly won by the party still hotly contested at the tribunal”
“This decision is set to help the Senator better the lot of his people and bring about better dividends of democracy as well as other interventions geared towards eradicating the insecurity in the Southeast region,”