The political landscape in Enugu State is set for a major shake-up as Governor Peter Mbah and top political figures prepare to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14.
The move, which mirrors the wave of defections earlier seen in Delta and Cross River States, will see the governor, all elected and appointed officials, and key members of the state’s political structure formally join the ruling party.
Speaking at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja after his inauguration as Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye confirmed the development and described it as the dawn of a new political era for the state and the Southeast region.
“For the past ten years, Enugu State has remained in opposition, but all that ends on Tuesday when Governor Peter Mbah declares for the APC, and he is not coming alone,” Nwoye said.
He explained that the governor’s defection will mark a historic political alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that Mbah will be joined by 260 councillors, 24 state lawmakers, members of the National Assembly, and the entire state executive council.
Nwoye described the development as a merger between transformation and renewed hope, emphasizing that it would strengthen the Southeast’s political relevance at the national level.
He also commended Governor Mbah’s performance over the past two years, highlighting his achievements in economic and infrastructural reforms which have significantly boosted Enugu’s internally generated revenue.
Nwoye added that the synergy between Mbah’s Transformation Agenda and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Vision would fast track development and economic growth across the Southeast.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the defection fever may spread to Benue State, with reports suggesting that former Governor Gabriel Suswam and former NAFDAC boss, Dr. Paul Orhii, are considering leaving the PDP for the APC.
The PDP, however, has reacted sharply, accusing the ruling party of intimidating and coercing governors into defecting, while the APC dismissed the claims, advising the opposition party to put its house in order instead of blaming others for its internal crisis.
