Mass Defection Hits APC Olona Ward 4, Defectors Pledge Support for Ochei

By Andy Emephia

Onicha-Olona community in Aniocha North local government area, literally shut down, as hundreds of card carrying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Olona Ward 4, defected to the National Democratic Congress ( NDC), pledging full allegiance and support for Rt Hon Engr Victor Onyekachi Ochei (Esq), the Olikaeze and NDC Delta North Senatorial Candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The mass defection, which political observers described as "a defining moment for Onicha-Olona politics", took place on Saturday July 18, 2026, at the Ezeowa Family Compound, Umu-Olo quarters , Onicha Olona .

The mass defection ceremony formed part of events lined up by the NDC Ward 4 Olona , to welcome Rt Hon Victor Ochei to a grand reception as well as the inauguration of the party's Ward Secretariat located at Abu-Ano, in Onicha Olona.

According to the spokesman of the decampees who spoke on their behalf, they are tired of living a lie as the deteriorating condition of living and worsening insecurity they face in their farmlands and community , does not tally with the Renewed Hope mantra of their former party , the APC.

They said their decision to move into the NDC in the area , is borne largely to the towering visibility of Rt Hon Victor Ochei , who has impacted on Onicha-Olona through his philanthropic deeds and sports tourism which has placed the town on the sports map through his sole sponsorship of the annual Olona Unity football Cup as well as the ultra modern Donald Ochei Stadium built singlehandedly by the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly , and Olikaeze of the community .

Receiving the APC decampees , the NDC Delta North Senatorial Chairman , Hon Aaron Udoka , thanked the erstwhile APC members for seeing the light and following it.

He assured them that the NDC is a party that guarantees equal rights for all members , whether old or new , and charged them to immediately hit the ground running by mobilizing for Rt Hon Victor Ochei , when campaigns officially kick off.

Earlier in his speech , the NDC Delta North Senatorial Candidate for the 2027 general elections , Rt Hon Victor Ochei , said he has deemed it fit to come and appreciate his Ward 4 stakeholders , particularly the party executives , for entrusting him with the nod to represent them .

Ochei assured the NDC Olona Ward 4 structure that he will justify the trust they have reposed in him , affirming that his antecedents in representation should act as a catalyst for their confidence in his ability to deliver .

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the fully furnished ward Secretariat funded and donated to the party by Rt Hon Ochei.

Present at the mass defection cum Grand reception for Rt Hon Ochei , were the party's House of Assembly Candidate for Aniocha North, Hon Vincent Ugbelase, the LGA NDC Chairman , Prince Felix Amagoh, Olona Ward 4 Chairman , Mr Michael Okwechime ,Elders and leaders of the ward , women and youths , among others .