Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the need for a stronger platform to drive transformative development in the state and align with national leadership.
Mbah announced his defection during a press conference held on Tuesday in Enugu, the state capital, where he was flanked by his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as state and federal lawmakers, local government chairmen, and other political stakeholders.
Describing the move as a carefully considered decision, the governor said it was motivated by a desire to position Enugu State for greater collaboration, national relevance, and long-term growth.
“Today, after a long period of reflection, we have decided to leave the PDP and join the APC,” Mbah 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.”
The governor expressed confidence that the APC’s platform would amplify Enugu’s voice at the national level and unlock new avenues for development, particularly for the South-East.
“This is no whimsical decision,” he added. “It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu State — comprising members of the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, councillors, political appointees, and over 80% of party executives.”
Mbah acknowledged the PDP’s role in his political journey, thanking the party for its support during the 2023 gubernatorial election. However, he lamented that despite the loyalty shown by the South-East to the PDP over the years, the region’s concerns had often been sidelined.
“To the Peoples Democratic Party, which provided us the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP stood with us through a demanding campaign and celebrated our victory. However, despite our region’s steadfast loyalty, our voices were too often disregarded,” he said.
The governor concluded by expressing optimism about the new political alignment, stating that his partnership with the APC would usher in a new era of inclusive governance and sustained development for both Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
“The voice of Enugu people — and indeed that of the South-East — will now be heard clearly in Abuja. We are committed to a partnership that brings real results and delivers lasting progress for our people.”
