The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party was further depleted on Tuesday as Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and three members of the Hous...
The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party was further depleted on Tuesday as Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and three members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking to journalists after formally joining the APC, Mbah said his defection was driven by the desire to advance the collective interests of the South-East and strengthen the region’s voice at the federal level.
“I think it is high time we stopped fragmented politics in the South-East,” Mbah said. “My decision to move to the APC was for the greater interest of Ndi-Enugu and the South-East at large.”
The governor dismissed insinuations of coercion, saying the decision was “carefully considered for the best interest of Ndi-Enugu.” He added that his move to the ruling party reflected his commitment to building a “visionary partnership” capable of driving transformative development for Enugu State and Nigeria.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” he said. “We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive. I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose — a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.”
With his defection, Mbah becomes one of the most prominent leaders from the South-East to join the APC, sparking hopes for greater regional unity and progress.
Addressing party supporters at the Government House, Enugu, where he was accompanied by his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as some state and federal lawmakers, Mbah said the move was a collective decision by his political family in the state.
“This is no whimsical decision,” he said. “It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu State — comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, councilors, political appointees, and over 80 percent of party executives.”
He assured residents that his defection would not affect his people-oriented programmes, promising continuity in governance and project execution.
“The progress you see today will not slow, and the projects we have begun will be completed,” he said. “Yes, there have been challenges and delays along the way, but make no mistake — schools, hospitals, roads, and our services will be finished as promised.”
To the political class across the South-East, Mbah said true leadership must rise above personal ambition.
“To the political elite across the South-East, I say this: our people are watching. What they care about most are results. True leadership is about service to the people, not service to self. Principles, not personalities, must guide us,” he declared.
The governor also reassured Enugu citizens that joining the APC was not a betrayal but a strategic step toward a stronger political future.
“To Ndi-Enugu, let me say this: this will not break our stride. We are a force of endeavour, and we need an ally who can match our ambition. Let me reassure you — this is not a detour, but a conscious step towards a more compelling future,” Mbah said.
He thanked the PDP for its past support, noting that despite the South-East’s loyalty to the party, “our voices were too often disregarded.” He expressed optimism that his new alliance with the APC would bring greater development and visibility to the region.
Meanwhile, the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives from Kaduna State also lost three members to the APC on Tuesday.
The defectors — Abdulkarim Ahmed (Kaduna South), Aliyu Mustapha (Ikara/Kubau), and Sadiq Ango-Abdullahi (Sabon Gari) — announced their decisions in separate letters read by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.
Kaduna has witnessed a recent wave of defections to the ruling party, including the return of Senator Shehu Sani and Amos Magaji, amid growing speculation of efforts to weaken the opposition in the North-West state.
In their letters, the three lawmakers cited the lingering internal crisis within the PDP and the need to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as their reasons for leaving the party.
In his resignation letter addressed to the PDP Chairman, Makera Ward, Kaduna South Local Government Area, Hon. Ahmed wrote, “The constant internal conflicts and factionalism within the PDP, which have climaxed into elongated party crises, are undesirably impacting my ability to effectively represent my constituency and accomplish my obligations optimally.
“In view of the enduring situation, and after wide consultations with my constituents, key stakeholders, and political allies, I have come to the tough but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP.
“This decision is driven by my commitment to continue serving my good people of Kaduna South Federal Constituency beyond partisan lines, ensuring that all my constituents benefit from purposeful, inclusive, and effective representation.”
He thanked the PDP for the opportunity to serve under its platform, describing the experience as “priceless,” but maintained that joining the APC was in the best interest of his people.
APC hails Mbah
The APC commended Mbah, for his “courageous and visionary” decision to join the ruling party, describing the move as a strategic step that will accelerate development and deepen good governance in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC expressed confidence that Mbah’s defection to the progressive platform would consolidate ongoing reforms and position Enugu as a key beneficiary of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The All Progressives Congress warmly welcomes the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, other members, leaders, and stakeholders to our great party,” Morka said.
“We congratulate Governor Mbah for his courageous decision to join Nigeria’s preeminent and progressive party. We are confident that this deft political move will consolidate and accelerate development and good governance in Enugu State.
“It will bolster Governor Mbah’s leadership and impressive record of achievement, for which he has been recognised with several local and international awards, including the 2025 Presidential GovTech Award for innovation and technology-driven public service delivery.”
Morka added that Mbah’s defection represented a strategic alignment with President Tinubu’s vision of inclusive national growth.
“The Governor’s decision to join the APC and align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a smart repositioning of Enugu State as a strategic partner, participant, and beneficiary of the massive economic transformation currently underway in our nation,” the statement continued.
“Our great party assures His Excellency and teeming new members of its fullest support, accommodation, and seamless integration into the APC family.”
Meanwhile, the senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, said the APC would not depend on political defections to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu will record significant success in the South-East.
Speaking on TVC’s “Journalists’ Hangout” on Monday, Kalu, who chairs the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, said the APC’s growing strength in the region is the result of “consistency, sacrifice, and hard work,” rather than opportunistic defections.
“We are not relying on defections to win,” Kalu said. “We are relying on hard work. Politics is about commitment and results, not noise. We are on ground and determined to ensure that President Tinubu and all APC candidates perform well in 2027, especially in Abia and across the South-East.”
Kalu, a former Senate Chief Whip and former governor of Abia State, expressed strong confidence in President Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing it as a necessary process that will yield long-term benefits despite current economic hardship.
“Reforms come with the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he noted. “Nigerians are feeling the pains now, yes, but these pains will lead to long-term gains. I have sponsored a bill on social welfare and investment to reduce poverty, and I’ll meet the President to fast-track it. We must show Nigerians that we have them in our hearts.”
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
COMMENTS