Ebonyi State House of Assembly Minority Leader Maria Ude Nwachi (Afikpo North-East) has defected to the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN).
National Publicity Secretary of ANN Akinloye Oyeniyi described her defection as “another epoch” in Nigeria’s political history “because the nine months’ old party has produced its first political office holder”.
He said: “Today (yesterday) is a significant day in the political history of Nigeria and our party, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), as the party is welcoming the lawmaker representing Afikpo North-East State Constituency and Minority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Maria Ude Uwachi, into its fold. This makes her the first serving political office holder of our party.
“To many, political parties have merely been vehicles of thuggery and social disturbance, but as Nigerians have seen for themselves, the coming of ANN is not just to exercise government power by winning political offices, but to also serve as the true political party for government and political recruitment, interest articulation and aggregation, political communication and education, goal formation, link between governments and the people, political representation of all and sundry and making governments accountable to the people.
“These and many other qualities are what has been endearing the party of difference to multitudes of people across all divides.
“Nwachi declared ANN as a better platform with good ideology where her impacts can be felt. We have listened to her people back home, and they confirmed that she is a community development enthusiast and popular grassroots mobilise.”
The defection ceremony was witnessed by her supporters, party members and officials, led by state chairman Nweli Ifeanyichukwu Hilary.