The former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, has adduced the rationale behind his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Orji explained that he left the former ruling PDP in Abia because it had deviated from the core ideology on which it was founded.

He spoke in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.

According to him, “In the build-up to the 2023 general elections and in the aftermath of that election, the Peoples Democratic Party engaged in activities that were detrimental to the peace, progress, and cohesion of the party, resulting in catastrophic political losses.

“Expectations that the Party would conduct an introspective review of its performance in that election and embark on an honest process of healing wounds and rallying its members to forge a common front going forward were disappointingly not met.

“The Peoples Democratic Party, as presently constituted and run, does not hold promises for the political advancement of its members. And it has become imperative that I lead my followers to where they stand better chances of political advancement.

“I pledge my loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda to develop our nation. I salute, especially, the leaders of the APC at all levels and thank them for opening their doors to me and my followers. I also pledge to abide by the rules and regulations of the party.”

It was reported that the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, on Tuesday.

He was issued the APC membership card by the state chairman of the party in Abia, Kingsley Ononogbu.

Recall that Enyinnaya, the son of Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia State, tendered his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday, citing issues rocking the party as the reason for his decision.