Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ending the PDP’s 25-year dominance in the state’s political landscape.
The announcement came during a televised address on Tuesday, where Mbah described his decision as a “painful but necessary” step to realign Enugu’s political direction with Nigeria’s current leadership.
“Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress,” Mbah said.
“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. There comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
The governor explained that his defection was driven by a desire to reshape Enugu’s governance and political structure, aligning it with a broader national vision of unity and development.
“This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our people,” he added.
Mass Cabinet Defection Precedes Announcement
Mbah’s move came just 24 hours after his entire cabinet, including commissioners, senior aides, and advisers, defected to the APC.
His Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the shift in a video shared on Monday, showing top government officials chanting solidarity songs in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh declared in the post.
In the viral clip, excited aides could be heard shouting, “Tomorrow is here; it’s APC all the way — from top to bottom!”
Mbah’s defection represents a seismic political shift in Enugu, a state that has been a PDP stronghold since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Analysts say the move could reshape the political balance in the Southeast, especially as the APC seeks to strengthen its presence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor’s next steps, including whether the Enugu State House of Assembly and PDP legislators will follow suit, remain closely watched by political observers nationwide.
