In a move signaling intense political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Chief Iheanyi Frank Chinasa (Dogo), the National Assembly Liaison Officer to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Pitching his tent with his brother, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who is a chieftain of the APC from Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Chinasa attended the meeting of APC Critical Stakeholders in Owerri, Imo State convened by the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma on Sunday.
It will be recalled that Chinasa contested the 2023 election with Kalu for the seat of Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State and has remained critical of the Deputy Speaker since then.
The latest development is however considered significant given Chinasa’s strategic role in the current Labour Party-led administration in Abia.
As Governor Otti’s link to the National Assembly, he coordinated legislative matters between the state and federal lawmakers from Abia.
The defection underscores the growing influence of the Deputy Speaker in Abia politics and essentially points to intensified politicking as 2027 approaches.
Kalu, the leader of APC in Abia State has been credited with consolidating APC structures across State since his emergence as Deputy Speaker.
Chinasa is yet to issue a formal statement detailing reasons for his move.
Kalu during the meeting welcomed Chinasa into APC, describing it as a sign of more high-profile entrants in the coming months.
He enjoined members of the party to keep working hard for the reelection of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said: “Dogo ran election with me in Bende for House of Representatives and was later appointed by the governor as National Assembly Liason Officer. He is from Bende and from Ikwu Isii, my own section of the constituency and today, he has come to join our Party (APC). I am sure he will feel welcome seeing all these great men and women here. So, I want to encourage everybody especially the aspirants to be strong willed and courageous and to keep pushing. The harder you work, the more people will want to join APC.”
