Governor Peter Mbah Set to Defect to APC with Enugu PDP Structure in Historic Political Shift
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Barely 24 hours after the dissolution of its Executive Committee in Enugu State over persistent factional crises and internal disunity, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that Governor Peter Mbah will be joining the party on Tuesday next week — a development that could dramatically alter the political landscape of the South East.
APC Dissolves Enugu Executive Over Prolonged Crisis
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had on Thursday dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee, citing “prolonged factionalization” that has crippled party operations in the state. In its place, the NWC inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee led by Dr. Ben Nwoye as Chairman. Other members include Fidelia Njoeze, Peter Chime, Oby Ajih, Chiedozie Nwafor, Emma Ekeh, and Eugene Odoh, who serves as Secretary.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Dr. Nwoye declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State was on the brink of total collapse, as Governor Mbah had concluded arrangements to lead a large-scale defection to the APC.
“Political Evangelism Has Started” — Nwoye
According to Nwoye, Governor Mbah’s formal defection to the APC is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2024, and will include an entourage of all 260 ward councillors, 24 members of the State House of Assembly, National Assembly members, and the entire PDP State Executive Committee.
“Political evangelism has started. We went to the governor, and he has agreed to move with us into APC. He is not coming alone — he is coming with the whole structure of Enugu PDP. Where Enugu goes, the South East goes. Never again will opposition dominate our region. Governor Mbah has transformed Enugu in two years. Now he will anchor APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the South East,”
— Dr. Ben Nwoye, Caretaker Chairman, APC Enugu State.
Political observers say the planned defection, if successfully executed, will effectively end the PDP’s 25-year dominance in Enugu State and strengthen the ruling APC’s grip on the South East region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
National Chairman Urges Unity and Expansion
At the inauguration ceremony, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged the new caretaker leadership to consolidate the anticipated defection into a sustainable political victory for the party.
“APC is home for all. The person who came yesterday, today, or tomorrow has equal rights. Our goal is simple — to expand, to win, and to deliver overwhelming victory in 2027,”
— Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman.
He added that the inclusion of new political forces such as Governor Mbah represents the broad-based coalition President Bola Tinubu’s administration seeks to foster across all regions of the country.
“South East Has Found Its Voice Again” — Eneukwu
The Deputy National Chairman of the APC (South), Emma Eneukwu, hailed the development as a strategic comeback for the South East in national politics.
“We will no longer play second fiddle. With Enugu in APC, the South East has found its voice again,”
— Emma Eneukwu, APC Deputy National Chairman (South).
Analysts Weigh In
Political analysts note that Governor Mbah’s impending move could trigger a domino effect across the South East, reshaping regional alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. The defection may also challenge existing political structures in Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi, where the balance of power remains competitive.
As preparations intensify for the Tuesday ceremony, all eyes are now on Enugu, where the once-dominant PDP faces its most significant internal crisis in decades.
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