Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, who served as Chief Press Secretary to former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has publicly pledged allegiance to Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party (LP) formally ending his long‑standing association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Announcement on Social Media
In a Facebook post dated Sunday, 11 May 2025, Ememanka revealed that his decision followed “days of deep personal meditation” and multiple rounds of consultation with political allies and family members. He wrote:
“At certain crossroads in life, a man must choose even when every option carries weight. I have chosen to put Abia first. I have chosen Otti. I have chosen the Labour Party.”
The post featured a photograph of Ememanka standing beside Governor Otti, signalling both solidarity and a new political chapter.
Reasons for the Switch
- State‑First Philosophy: Ememanka said the overriding motive was his desire to prioritise Abia’s “sustainable development” over party loyalties.
- Alignment with Governance Style: Close associates note that Otti’s policy focus on fiscal transparency and infrastructure renewal resonates with the former press secretary’s personal convictions.
- Disenchantment with PDP Dynamics: Although he did not directly criticise his former party, insiders claim Ememanka has been uneasy about internal wrangling within the state PDP since the 2023 election cycle.
Political Ripples
- Labour Party Boost: Ememanka brings media savvy and insider knowledge of the previous administration—assets that could bolster LP’s communication machinery.
- Pressure on PDP Cohesion: The defection adds to a slow drip of high‑profile exits from the PDP’s Abia chapter, raising fresh questions about the party’s organisational strength ahead of local‑government polls.
- Symbolic Victory for Otti: Having an ally of his immediate predecessor switch sides may enhance Governor Otti’s narrative of a “government of inclusion” willing to attract talent across the aisle.
Reaction from Stakeholders
- Government House, Umuahia: Officials welcomed Ememanka’s declaration, describing it as “evidence that good governance can bridge political divides.”
- PDP State Secretariat: Party spokespeople said they “regret but respect” his decision, asserting that the PDP remains “the only viable platform with deep roots in Abia.”
- Civil‑Society Observers: Analysts argue that the defection underscores a shifting political landscape in which ideological alignment and performance scorecards are increasingly trumping traditional party loyalty.
What’s Next for Ememanka?
Sources close to Government House suggest he may be tapped to play an advisory role in the state’s strategic communications unit, though no official appointment has been announced. For now, Ememanka insists his priority is helping “sell the administration’s development agenda” to a wider audience.
Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka’s move from PDP stalwart to LP advocate reflects a broader recalibration in Abia politics one where personal conviction and perceived performance may be starting to outweigh party loyalty. Whether his switch galvanises further defections or merely mirrors an individual journey, it undeniably gives Governor Alex Otti another influential voice in his corner.
