Reps Member , Ugochinyere Dumps PDP For APP

Honourable (Barr.) Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Member of the House of Representatives for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the Action People’s Party (APP).

Ugochinyere announced his defection at a high-profile political event attended by thousands of supporters.

The lawmaker, who said he was accompanied by more than 22,000 supporters, described his defection as part of a broader commitment to advancing democratic governance, electoral transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s political system.

In his address, Ugochinyere revealed that he has received an invitation to appear before a subcommittee of the United States Congress investigating threats to democracy in Africa and plans to present documentary evidence of what he described as electoral, political, and judicial impunity in Imo State.

“I have been formally invited to present my evidence to the US Congress subcommittee on democracy,” he said.

“Those who believe they can operate without accountability domestically or internationally are mistaken. There will come a time when oppressors will travel abroad and face consequences for the actions they took in Nigeria.”

The federal lawmaker said his decision to engage international stakeholders, including foreign legislative bodies, is aimed at deepening global awareness of electoral malpractice and judicial manipulation in Nigeria.

He also stated his intention to petition appropriate international bodies with a compilation of evidence detailing alleged irregularities in past elections, human rights abuses, and judicial interference.

A central component of his planned submissions, Ugochinyere said, will include calls for the prosecution of individuals he alleges were involved in the failed assassination attempt against him and the killing of his uncle and other political associates.

“These are not isolated incidents, they are symptoms of a larger threat to democratic integrity,” he said.

During his address, Ugochinyere referenced recent international events, noting that the global community’s responses to political crises in other countries have set important precedents.

Citing the controversial tenure and capture of Venezuela’s former President Nicolás Maduro by international forces, a development that has been widely reported and debated internationally, the federal lawmaker said similar accountability measures should eventually apply to leaders he believes have undermined democratic governance in Nigeria.

“If the world can act decisively in contexts where democratic norms are violated, then Nigeria’s democratic challenges deserve no less attention,” he said, stressing the need for both domestic and international mechanisms to protect the will of the electorate.

Leaders of the Action People’s Party welcomed Ugochinyere’s defection, framing it as a major boost for the party’s profile and reformist agenda.

They highlighted his legislative experience, activism on governance issues, and national visibility as assets that will strengthen APP’s campaign for democratic renewal.

The lawmaker, who has previously sponsored multiple bills and motions in the National Assembly, emphasized that his move is not merely a change of party but a reaffirmation of his commitment to electoral vigilance and transparency, judicial integrity, protection of citizens’ rights and institutional accountability.

Political analysts suggest that Ugochinyere’s defection and international engagement signal a growing trend among Nigerian opposition figures to seek both domestic reform and global attention on governance challenges.

Some civil society organisations have welcomed his emphasis on electoral integrity, while others caution that international involvement must be balanced with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and domestic legal processes.

The federal lawmaker said he will proceed with preparations for his appearance before the US congressional subcommittee, and that detailed evidence will be compiled for submission to relevant international actors.

He also pledged to continue working with civic organisations, legal experts, and community leaders to advance reforms that he believes are crucial ahead of future election cycles.