The Imo House of Assembly candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, Engr Onyiriuka Stanley Chike and over 1,000 of his supporters have dumped the party in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

The politician has pitched his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring support for the governorship flagbearer, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, ahead of the November 11 polls.

Onyiriuka, popularly known as “Chyko”, who has a large following among the electorate in his constituency, gave his opponents a hot chase in the March general election.

In a statement on Tuesday, the politician explained that he and his followers left the SDP to join hands with Imo people to rescue the state from “insecurity, bad governance, greed and harsh policies”.

Onyiriuka said what’s needed is the exit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government and the enthronement of people-oriented administration, which he believes Anyanwu would offer.

He enjoined anyone working against the liberation of Imo to have a change of heart, insisting the gubernatorial poll “would serve as a restoration season to stop killing of innocent youths and burning of houses for no reason.”

Onyiriuka, who described the APC administration as “very insensitive”, swore to continue to mobilise well-meaning Nigerians in the three zones against the ruling party.