No fewer than 4,000 members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State, including the party’s Deputy Chairman, Comrade Okey Idenyi, and Secretary, Barrister Chinedu Adum, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has suffered a major setback in Ebonyi State following the defection of more than 4,000 members—including key executives—to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The development is being viewed as one of the biggest political shifts in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections and comes amid growing internal disagreements within the NDC’s Ebonyi chapter.
Among those who announced their defection are the party’s Deputy Chairman, Comrade Okey Idenyi, Secretary, Barrister Chinedu Adum, alongside several ward and local government officials.
Addressing supporters during the defection event, the former NDC officials accused the party’s leadership of abandoning internal democracy and sidelining founding members.
They also alleged that the party’s primary elections were marred by irregularities and claimed that the state structure had been taken over by individuals who were not part of its original formation in Ebonyi. These allegations reflect the views of the defectors and have not been independently established.
The latest defections follow weeks of internal tension within the Ebonyi chapter of the NDC, with several officials previously resigning over disagreements relating to party leadership and the conduct of its primaries.
Political observers say the mass movement could strengthen the PDP’s position in Ebonyi as parties continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Receiving the defectors, PDP leaders in Ebonyi described the development as a major boost for the party and pledged to fully integrate the new members into its political structure.
As of the time of filing this report, the NDC had not issued an official response to the latest wave of defections or the allegations made by the former party officials.
The defection of thousands of members, including senior state executives, marks another significant development in Ebonyi’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts believe the coming months could witness further realignments as political parties consolidate their structures and prepare for the next electoral cycle.