The lawmaker representing Ayamelum Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Bernard Udemezue
has explained reasons for joining the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Hon. Udemezue who was elected into the 8th Assembly through the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), joined the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in 2025 and now in APGA.
Giving reasons for his defections ahead of the 2027 general elections, Udemezue noted that, it was for the interest of his constituents.
“I have jumped from party to party, do I even have political loyalty? A shallow thinker or hater will say NO!
“But I think the question should be, have I had any reason to be loyal and I betrayed?
“I was a self-sponsored candidate in 2023 under PDP. When I joined PDP, all the National Assembly members elected under PDP in Anambra were in APC. From senator Odua to Hon Lynda Ikpeazu to Hon Bar Vincent Ofumelu.
“Of course I couldn’t have considered APGA since the then speaker (my opponent to be) was in charge of APGA and I was dodging political godfathers and factions that could deny me ticket as a new entrant, I chose PDP as my strength lied more in the masses than the actual politicians/stake holders.
” Upon return of the National Assembly members to PDP, I found favor in the eyes of senator Stella and Hon Vincent Ofumelu and they retained and made me the candidate.
“Unfortunately they both lost their reelections and I became a political orphan again.
“Fast forward to 2025, PDP was obviously dead. Sir Paul Chukwuma approached me with YPP and I accepted- even though I knew YPP wasn’t going to win APGA. He mobilized me to work and I started working but he said I was working too much and tried dampening my political momentum. Worse was that he couldn’t protect me. It became unhealthy and I left, abandoning a lot of benefits with him.
“I approached Ikukuoma of APC and offered to support him to sustain my opposition supporters. He asked for my price to join APC but I told him that l won’t join APC and that I didn’t need any money from him but I will support him. Though he later gave me some monies for specific assignments which I delivered perfectly- no rancour till date.
“Against popular opinion, I found him a bluntly honest and straightforward person. Unfortunately but expectedly, he lost the election and the journey ended. Of course APC is not viable in Anambra and l wasn’t a member- we only gathered for Ikukuoma.
“Who did I betray? Who should I have been loyal to that l wasn’t?
“Now I have to choose between ADC and APGA. Of course I could win with ADC but it was going to be a little more difficult but most important was the interest of my constituency and the political stability that is obtainable in APGA and there I will have a master (with a long term vision ) to serve.
“I have been only but an activist who came in to fight and defend my town from political oppression when we were to be robbed of our turn to represent Ayamelum.
“My defection to APGA marks my admission into politics.
