Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political realignment in the South-East.
In a live broadcast on Tuesday morning, Governor Mbah announced his defection, saying his decision came after deep reflection and consultations.
He stated that the PDP had repeatedly ignored the voice and interests of the Enugu people, who had stood with the party for decades.
“This is not a decision made in isolation,” Mbah declared. “It represents the collective will of our National and State Assembly members, State Executive Council members, over 80 per cent of party executives, and appointees who believe the time has come to redefine our political direction.”
He expressed gratitude to the PDP for the platform that brought him to office but emphasized that leadership sometimes demands tough and painful choices.
“For nearly three decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by a shared purpose.
Yet, leadership often requires difficult decisions in pursuit of higher goals. Today, we have chosen to join the All Progressives Congress,” he said.
Mbah, alongside his predecessor, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and several lawmakers from both the state and national assemblies, made the move in what analysts describe as one of the most significant political defections in recent Enugu history.
Former Governor Sullivan Chime and other top APC figures in the state were present at the declaration ceremony.
The governor noted that despite the South-East’s unwavering loyalty to the PDP since 1999, the region’s voice had often been ignored.
“For decades, we stood behind the PDP, but our cries were too often disregarded,” he lamented.
Mbah said his defection was driven by a desire to align with a new political vision that places the people’s interest above politics.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a leader with a “disruptive and transformative vision” for Nigeria’s progress.
According to him, “This is not about politics; it’s about partnership. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive.
The Enugu people deserve a voice in the national conversation, and I believe we can achieve that through the APC.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the APC National Working Committee led by its Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, are expected to formally receive Governor Mbah and his team into the party in Abuja
The post Why I Dumped PDP for APC — Gov Mbah first appeared on DDM.
