Former ADC Ward Leaders, Others Defect to APC in Abia, Back Atuma, Ikuku

By Charity Uwakwe

Two former ward leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing their confidence in the party and dissatisfaction with the way the ADC handled its affairs.

Their declaration for their new found love took place today, Tuesday, October 19, at Amuzukwu, in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

The defectors, Lolo Oluchi Madumere and Comrade Chinedu Odoemelam, a former ADC ward chairman, former ADC women’s leader, and vice ward chairman, respectively, announced their decision while speaking about their political realignment and commitment to the APC.

Odoemelam, who identified himself as a former chairman of the ADC in Urban Ward 2, said his decision to join the APC was voluntary, insisting that he was neither offended by the ADC nor forced to leave the party.

According to him, he decided to move to the APC because he believed the party offered a better political direction.

“I just saw the light there. That is why I joined APC,” he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that his decision was influenced by disagreements with his political associates, explaining that he was given the freedom to make his own choice.

Odoemelam , however, expressed admiration for Hon. Emeka Atuma, the party’s Abia Central Senatorial candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general election, and Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, whom he said had contributed to his political journey.

He described both men as influential figures whose support and political standing had strengthened his confidence in the party.

Asked about his commitment to the APC, the former ward chairman said he would do his best to support the party and work towards the success of the political aspirations of the leaders he admires.

He also made it clear that he had moved on from the ADC and did not wish to be associated with the party again.

Former ADC Woman Leader Cites Dissatisfaction With Party

In a separate interview, Lolo Oluchi Madumere, a former ADC woman leader in Urban Ward 2, in Umuahia North, and wife of Chief Enyinnaya Madumere aka Chief Ngwuru, said she joined the APC because she was impressed by the party’s approach to political activities.

Unlike Odoemelam, who said he left the ADC without any personal grievance, Madumere expressed dissatisfaction with the way the party treated its members.

She accused the ADC of overlooking members, treating them unfairly and failing to conduct its affairs in an orderly manner.

According to her, these concerns influenced her decision to leave the party and join the APC.

“I noticed the way they are doing things, and I love the way they are doing things. That is why I joined,” she said, referring to the APC.

Madumere said she felt comfortable with her decision and was ready to work with other party members to strengthen the APC’s presence in her ward.

She also pledged to mobilise more people, particularly women and young people, to join the party.

The former woman leader claimed to have more than 400 followers within her ward, expressing confidence that she could encourage more people to align with the APC.

Expresses Love and Support for Atuma, Ikuku

Madumere also spoke warmly about Chief Emeka Atuma and Ikuku, whom she praised for their support for her husband.

She expressed gratitude to both men and prayed for their success in their political pursuits.

However, she clarified that her decision to join the APC was not solely because of either of the two political figures, stressing that she was independently attracted to the party and its activities.

“I love APC. I love the way they are doing their things. Meanwhile, I love Kabila and Ikuku naturally,” she said.

Both defectors expressed their readiness to contribute to the growth of the APC, with Odoemelam pledging to support the party’s political objectives and Madumere promising to mobilise more members.

Their declarations come amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political parties and their supporters position themselves for the contests.

Responding amidst euphoria, Hon. Atuma popularly known as Kabila, who was represented by Chief Chidi Nwosu, Director-General of Kabila campaign council applauded the defectors for their show of bravity and thanked them for their unreserved love and solidarity for the party.

Speaking, he said” “We have come to welcome this group of people into our party today. I welcome their leaders, some of who are from PDP, ADC and Labour, led by Lolo Oluchi Madumere. We thank you for the wise decision you have taken.”

He particularly commended Lolo Madumere for supporting her husband, Chief Madumere, popularly known as Ngwuru, whom he described as” a well embedded member of the APC”.

According to Nwosu, other members of the campaign council showed concern upon learning that chief Madumere’s wife belonged to a different political party, and worried about the the possibility of sensitive political information reaching outsiders through him.

Nwosu said Madumere had assured them that his wife would eventually join the APC party.

The highlight of the event was the handing over of a bunch of broom and the party’s flag to the new members which he described as symbols of the party.

The campaign council director-general also praised Madumere for her determination and enthusiasm in mobilising people to join the APC.

In another significant moment, Madumere and Odoemelam publicly destroyed their ADC membership cards, demonstrating their resolve to leave the party and embrace their new political affiliation.
The exercise was greeted with enthusiasm, smiles and applause from other party members.

“I hereby receive all of us into the family of APC. You are welcome”. Nwosu concluded.

Meanwhile, he praised Chief Madumere for his longstanding support for the party, but expressed regrets that Madumere’s efforts had yet to be adequately rewarded.

He, however, assured that the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Eric Opah, alongside Kabila and other candidates would create opportunities and recognition for Madumere and other loyal members.

He, therefore, used the medium to urge both the new and old members not to lose faith in the party’s political project but to remain committed to its candidates, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with famousreporters.com.com, Chief Madumere, aka Ngwuru, a former community Chairman expressed immense joy, recounting that the issue of belonging to different political parties had caused considerable difficulty.

“So, as we did it today, I’m happy.”

Ngwuru, the chairman of PWD, Umuahia North, who spoke with an aura of optimism, boasted about the envisaged, resounding victory of Atuma and Orji in the elections.

“Kabila and Ikuku are going to win. We’re going to work for them very very well for them to win”.