Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has defected from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Obi announced his decision following a visit to his residence by leaders of the PDP in the South East Zone on Tuesday.

The PDP leaders included the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerumadu, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, and the Secretary to Federal Government, Pius Anyim Pius.

Others in the entourage included the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Enugu State and one-time chairman of the PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, senators Uche Chukwumerije, Hope Uzodinma, Ben Obi, Igwe Paulinus and former Aviation Minister, Kema Chikwe.

The motion for Obi’s defection which was moved by Nwodo and was seconded by the minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike.

“We are here to request you to join us in PDP and work with us as an insider no more an outsider. PDP was founded by our own man, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and we started winning 80 per cent in the Southeast zone until such a time when we drew backwards but we believe that with you in our midst, we shall return to our winning spree. I now move a motion requesting you to here and now give us your word” Nwodo said.

Seconding the motion, Wike declared, “We are here to ask Obi, the heart of APGA to join us. We have already captured Imo state and with him, we will get the soul of Anambra and leave the carcass for other parties. I am therefore seconding the motion”.

Responding, Obi thanked them for their request announced his acceptance of the motion, while adding that he would now work with them as an insider and with his whole heart in the areas of returning Jonathan for the second term in 2015

“I have in the past worked closely with all of you and you know my belief about our zone working together. I assure you that we will continue to work even closer as a team in the interest of our people,” Obi said.