Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Titus Odo, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu, and Emeka Mamah, former Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and the state coordinator of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, have officially defected from the LP back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The move marks a significant realignment in Enugu’s political terrain, as both figures had initially decamped from the PDP to support Peter Obi’s rising third-force candidacy under the LP banner during the 2023 general elections.
Truth Live News gathered that their return was formalized at the PDP state secretariat in Enugu, where the party chairman, Martin Chukwunwike, welcomed them amid a broader reconciliation effort spearheaded by Governor Peter Mbah. “We are happy to have them in our midst, and God has set this party on a good foot, as 2027 is already assured,” Chukwunwike declared, indicating the party’s renewed optimism and its strategic moves ahead of the next election cycle.
Odo stated that his return was driven by the visible development strides under Governor Mbah’s administration. He also pointed to the influence of recent defections, including that of LP’s former gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Chijioke Edeoga, as well as the notable transformation of Igboeze North LGA under PDP’s council chairman, Uchenna Ogara.
Mamah echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude to PDP leadership and applauding the governor’s performance and unity drive.
The defections reveal a growing trend of political reconfiguration in the Southeast, where initial enthusiasm for the Labour Party—largely driven by Peter Obi’s personality—appears to be recalibrating as traditional political structures reassert themselves. Analysts observe that while the LP made impressive gains in 2023, sustaining momentum without strong institutional frameworks and grassroots structures has proven difficult in states like Enugu.
Moreover, the return of high-profile actors to the PDP suggests that Governor Mbah’s strategic governance and party reconciliation agenda may be paying off, potentially positioning the PDP for a stronger showing in 2027. However, it also raises questions about the durability of political convictions in Nigeria’s democracy, where cross-party defections often follow the tide of power rather than ideological alignment.
While some view the returnees as pragmatic actors responding to developmental governance, others, especially youthful Labour Party loyalists, may see the move as a betrayal of the “new Nigeria” vision that Obi’s candidacy symbolized. The coming months will test whether these defections strengthen PDP’s grip or further alienate younger voters who continue to seek alternatives to establishment politics.