Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a historic political realignment in the state’s leadership.
In a televised broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Mbah announced his decision, saying, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”
Mbah explained that the move was driven by his desire to “reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.” He described the defection as a necessary step toward securing a better political and developmental future for the people.
“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our project and our people,” he said. “Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
Ahead of the announcement, all members of Governor Mbah’s cabinet had also joined the APC. His Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the development in a video posted on his social media pages on Monday. In the footage, government officials were seen openly declaring allegiance to the ruling party, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and reaffirming their loyalty to the APC.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh captioned the post.
Officials, including commissioners and senior aides, were heard declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”
The mass defection represents a major political upheaval in Enugu State, a region that has remained a stronghold of the PDP since the return of democracy in 1999.
What you should know
Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to the APC signals a dramatic power shift in Enugu politics. With his cabinet also crossing over, the move consolidates APC’s influence in the Southeast and could reshape future political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
