In a dramatic political shift, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In what observers describe as a sweeping political migration, nearly the entire governing structure of Enugu State has followed suit.
This move marks a historic milestone, Enugu becomes the first PDP-stronghold in the South‑East to come under APC’s full control, ending 26 years of uninterrupted PDP rule in the state.
Mass Movement: “We Move Together”
During a live address from Government House, Governor Mbah declared that the entire political structure of the state had joined him in the move.
This includes all 17 local government chairpersons, hundreds of councilors, nearly all state lawmakers, and over 80% of PDP executives in Enugu.
“This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Enugu State,” Mbah stated.
“All the Local Government Chairmen and Councilors, all political appointees, and over 80 percent of party executives are with us.”
While acknowledging the PDP’s role in his rise, particularly during his 2023 governorship bid, Mbah said the decision to join APC was driven by a desire to align Enugu’s governance with the central government and ensure “enhanced delivery of dividends of democracy.”
Former governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi appeared alongside Mbah, signaling tacit support, though his own party status remains officially unconfirmed.
Why the Sudden Break from PDP?
Mbah cited longstanding marginalization of the South-East in national politics and what he called the PDP’s failure to reward loyalty in the region.
“For decades, the South‑East, especially Enugu, stood firmly behind the PDP. Yet, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most,” he said.
“What matters to the people of Enugu is good governance; it does not matter if it is the umbrella or the broom.”
He emphasized that the defection was not about personal ambition but about maximizing opportunities for Enugu under the current federal administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
South‑East Political Realignment
With Enugu’s defection, the PDP has now lost all five South‑East states. Imo and Ebonyi are already under APC control; Anambra and Abia are governed by APGA and Labour Party respectively.
There are growing concerns among observers about what this means for political pluralism, especially as more state-level actors embrace “bandwagon defections” that leave opposition parties hollowed out.
Reactions and Implications
The APC has celebrated the move as a critical expansion of its footprint in the South-East and a validation of President Tinubu’s reformist image.
The PDP, however, is reeling from the loss. Although it has not issued an official statement as of this writing, internal sources report widespread dismay and urgent calls for restructuring.
Political analysts and civil society groups have expressed concern over the weakening of ideological commitments and party loyalty, suggesting that such mass defections undermine democratic accountability.
