More than 200 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the 13 electoral wards of Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Led by the current Abia North Zonal Deputy Chairman of the PDP and former Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Hon. Gabriel Okereke Elendu, the defectors unanimously endorsed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for another term in office during a courtesy visit to him.
The import of the defection is that the forthcoming election is now adjudged a walkover for APC in Bende especially with the collapse of PDP structure in the federal constituency into the opposition party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Elendu expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for finding Kalu worthy of the office of Deputy Speaker.
He commended Kalu for empowering constituents and facilitating jobs for over 500 indigenes of Bende since assuming office as Deputy Speaker. He said: “We are grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly for supporting our brother to become the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. We are proud of him. He is doing a good job in Bende. Bende is fast developing. He has empowered the people, constructed roads, built hospitals and schools, and bridges. Within his time as Deputy Speaker, he has employed more than 500 persons in Bende and other parts of Abia State.
