By Peter Omopo
Governor says move will strengthen South-East voice in national politics
The political landscape of Nigeria witnessed a major shake-up on Tuesday as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and three members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Mbah, who officially joined the ruling party in Enugu, said his decision was driven by the desire to “advance the collective interests of the South-East” and give the region a stronger voice at the federal level.
“I think it is high time we stopped fragmented politics in the South-East,” Mbah said. “My decision to move to the APC was for the greater interest of Ndi-Enugu and the South-East at large.”
He dismissed rumours of coercion, insisting that the decision was a “carefully considered” one made in consultation with political stakeholders. “We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive,” he said. “I have found in 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.”
A Collective Move by Enugu Political Family
The defection, according to Mbah, was not a solo act but a collective decision involving key members of the Enugu political establishment.
“This is no whimsical decision,” he told party supporters at the Government House, Enugu. “It is a collective move by our political family — members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, councilors, political appointees, and over 80 percent of party executives.”
Mbah assured Enugu residents that his defection would not derail his people-oriented programmes. “The progress you see today will not slow,” he said. “The schools, hospitals, roads, and services we’ve started will be completed as promised.”
He also called on South-East leaders to prioritize unity and people-centered leadership. “True leadership is about service to the people, not service to self. Principles, not personalities, must guide us,” he declared.
PDP Lawmakers from Kaduna Join APC
Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, three PDP lawmakers from Kaduna State — Abdulkarim Ahmed (Kaduna South), Aliyu Mustapha (Ikara/Kubau), and Sadiq Ango-Abdullahi (Sabon Gari) — also defected to the APC on Tuesday.
Their letters of defection were read by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.
In their letters, the lawmakers cited “persistent internal crises” within the PDP and alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as reasons for their exit.
Hon. Ahmed wrote, “The constant internal conflicts within the PDP have hindered my ability to effectively represent my constituency. After wide consultations, I have decided to resign and align with the APC to continue serving my people effectively.”
The defections add to a growing wave of PDP losses in Kaduna, which recently saw several prominent politicians — including Senator Shehu Sani and Amos Magaji — return to the ruling party.
APC Welcomes Mbah, Hails ‘Courageous Step’
Reacting to the development, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement on Tuesday, commended Mbah for his “visionary and courageous decision,” describing it as a major political realignment that will accelerate development in Enugu State.
“The All Progressives Congress warmly welcomes Governor Peter Mbah and his political family to our great party,” the statement read. “This deft political move will consolidate development and deepen good governance in Enugu.”
Morka added that Mbah’s defection aligned Enugu with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as “a strategic repositioning of the state as a key partner and beneficiary of the nation’s economic transformation.”
He also praised Mbah’s “impressive record of innovation and service,” recalling that the governor recently received the 2025 Presidential GovTech Award for technology-driven governance.
Kalu: APC Not Relying on Defections for 2027 Victory
Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, said on Monday that the APC’s growing influence in the South-East was not dependent on defections.
Speaking on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, Kalu said, “We are not relying on defections to win. We are relying on hard work. Politics is about commitment and results, not noise.”
He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s reform policies, noting that while current economic challenges are tough, they will yield long-term gains.
“Reforms come with pain, but the benefits will be enduring,” Kalu said. “I’ve sponsored a social welfare bill to reduce poverty, and I’ll meet the President to push it forward. We must show Nigerians that we care.”
A New Chapter for the South-East
Mbah’s defection marks one of the most significant political realignments in the South-East since 2023. His move, political observers say, could reshape the region’s power dynamics and increase its relevance in national decision-making.
With the Enugu governor and his political allies now in the APC, analysts predict the ruling party will gain fresh momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is not a detour,” Mbah said confidently. “It is a conscious step towards a more compelling future for Ndi-Enugu and the South-East.”
