Rep defends defection to APC, present scorecard

The member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chimaobi Atu, has said his defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress was driven by the need to attract development and deliver democratic dividends to his constituents.

Atu spoke in his Enugu residence, where he presented his three-year scorecard, highlighting projects, legislative interventions and empowerment programmes executed since assuming office in June 2023.

Responding to questions on why he left the Labour Party platform on which he was elected, the lawmaker said politics should be viewed as a vehicle for service rather than an end in itself.

According to him, his decision to align with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah was informed by their commitment to infrastructure development, security and economic growth.

“I believe that it is God that gives power. We all worked together in 2023, but God determines how things happen. The Labour Party itself is facing challenges and litigations. The reason I joined politics is to bring democratic dividends to my people. Party is just a vehicle that takes you to where you are going,” he said.

Atu praised Tinubu for establishing the South-East Development Commission and for ongoing federal road projects in the region, including the reconstruction of sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and interventions in the Ugwu Onyeama area.

He also commended Mbah for investments in education, infrastructure, agriculture and security, noting that collaboration rather than political rivalry would better serve the interests of the people.

On security, the lawmaker said he sponsored motions supporting the creation of state police and advocated stronger local participation in tackling insecurity.

“The only people who truly know their environment are the locals. State police and stronger community-based security structures are necessary to address insecurity, especially in rural areas,” he said.

Atu further said he had sponsored 17 bills and moved several motions in the House of Representatives over the past three years.

According to him, his projects include scholarship programmes for more than 800 students across public secondary schools in the constituency, financial support for university students, renovation of science laboratories, reconstruction of classroom blocks and the establishment of science laboratories in several primary schools.

He added that his office also facilitated vocational training for over 350 youths and women in chemical production, while more than 200 young people were trained in artificial intelligence and digital skills.

Reflecting on his years in office, he said public service remained a call to touch lives rather than a platform for personal gain.

“I am not yet satisfied with what we have achieved because there is still so much to do. If you cannot give when you do not have, even when you eventually have, you still will not give. Service is about having the heart to help people,” Atu said.