Ebonyi State’s political landscape has been rattled by another high-profile defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), this time involving former Commissioner Okey Mgbada of the Ebonyi State Secondary Education Board.
Mgbada, who holds a reputation as a cybersecurity specialist and youth leader, officially left the PDP during a rally in Ezza North Local Government Area, where he was received into the APC by the state party’s leadership. His defection was accompanied by hundreds of his supporters, signalling a potentially significant shift in political allegiance within Ebonyi State.
In his remarks at the rally, Mgbada praised Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration, describing it as “all-inclusive” and focused on building infrastructure while empowering young people. He stated that his decision to join APC was driven by Nwifuru’s proactive governance style and what he called a “new Ebonyi project”, one geared toward sustainable development and youth participation.
The APC’s Ebonyi State Chairman, Stanley Okoro-Emeagha, welcomed Mgbada and his associates into the party fold, highlighting that their entry would strengthen APC’s grassroots and youth mobilisation ahead of future elections. Political watchers interpret Mgbada’s defection as part of a broader trend of PDP weakening in the region, particularly within its youth and professional ranks.
This defection adds to other recent losses for the PDP in Ebonyi, including that of former high-ranking party officials and stakeholders — raising concerns within the party about its capacity to retain influence and remain competitive in the state.
