In a political bombshell that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, a House of Representatives member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie made the announcement on Friday, May 23, 2025, during a press briefing in Asaba, the Delta State Capital.
According to him, his defection to the ruling APC would enable him to attract vital projects and address the challenges facing his community.
He pointed out that the Labour Party has too many problems and lacks effective leadership.
Hear him: “I am no longer a member of the Labour Party,” Hon. Okolie said.
“I may not know what the future holds, but I believe this decision will lead to progress and greater benefits for my people.”
Speaking candidly, he added, “The Labour Party is highly disorganized. There’s no clear direction, and the internal problems are overwhelming.
“Honestly, the Labour Party lacks structure and direction. The unresolved issues have become a major setback.”
“Under such confusion, I don’t believe meaningful progress can be made in the National Assembly. Instead of waiting for endless internal problems in the Labour Party to be resolved, I decided to move forward.
“Staying in a disorganized party would only hinder my performance in the National Assembly. That’s why I felt it was best to step away and seek a platform that can help me bring development to my people.”
“My resignation is a strategic move to enable me to attract more development projects and deliver real progress to my constituency,” he said.
“My goal has always been to improve the lives of my constituents, through better roads, quality education, and enhanced security,” he emphasized.
“With two years left in my tenure, I want to make a real difference in Aniocha/Oshimili.”
Though he has not officially joined the APC, Hon. Okolie confirmed he is moving in that direction.
He noted that several influential figures, including Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and many traditional rulers, have aligned themselves with the APC.
He revealed that the governor gave him the green light following a closed-door meeting between them.
“I consulted widely before making this decision,” he said. “I spoke with traditional rulers and many members of my constituency. While not everyone agreed with me, leadership sometimes requires tough decisions.”
He explained that he had initially hesitated to switch parties to avoid the impression of simply following the crowd.
“But at this point, I genuinely believe that joining the APC is the best step for the development of my constituency.
“I want to be remembered for the positive impact I made, not for remaining in a party that wasn’t functional,” he stated.
“Many people are resigning from their parties and moving to the APC. Today, I have also decided to resign from the Labour Party.”
“I have had extensive discussions with traditional rulers and my constituents. With two years left in my mandate, I believe joining the APC is the right move for the good of my people.
“I am aligning myself with the APC, especially considering that traditional rulers in Delta State have endorsed the President, and the state governor and many PDP members have also joined the APC. I believe following suit will benefit my constituency”, he declared.
