A foundational member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia State, Jerry Uzosike has resigned from his party and joined the ruling Labour Party, LP, in the State.

He announced his defection to LP on Monday, a day after visiting Governor Alex Otti where he had gone to pledge his support to the governor and his policies.

Uzosike, who was the immediate past House of Assembly member representing Umuahia South in the Abia State House of Assembly and also a former LGA Chairman, explained that his decision to quit PDP was personal, saying that he was convinced that a new Abia had come, with Governor Alex Otti in charge of the State.

Speaking to his friends and supporters on Tuesday while informing them of his defection, Uzosike said he was joining the crusade for a new Abia as championed by Governor Alex Otti.

According to the former PDP strongman who had been in the party since 1999, “I am a man of a new Abia. There is no way I will remain in old Abia when we have a new Abia.”

He emphasized that he would do his best to support the present administration in the State to succeed, adding that he was impressed by the performances of Governor Otti so far.

He later hosted his friends in a popular hotel in Umuahia, where he explained his decision to them before urging them to join him in LP.

But some of his supporters and PDP members who spoke on his movement, described the news as a big surprise to them.

The defection of Uzosike has further increased the speculation in the State that more members of opposition parties in Abia are planning to dump their parties and enter the LP.