PDP Chieftain Bode George Reacts to Peter Mbah’s Defection to APC, Says ‘Governors Don’t Make a Party’
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.

Bode George Expresses Shock Over Governor Mbah’s Exit from PDP

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed surprise over the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as unexpected and disappointing.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George said he was completely taken aback by the development, noting that even party elders who had made several reconciliatory efforts did not foresee the governor’s decision.

“I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings,” George lamented.

According to Akahi News, the veteran politician, who has long been a strong voice within the PDP, maintained that despite the recent wave of defections, the party remains resilient and focused on rebuilding its internal structures ahead of the next electoral cycle.

‘Governors Don’t Make the Party’ — George Counters Defection Trend

Reacting further to the governor’s move, Bode George questioned the rationale behind the defection of sitting governors to the APC, insisting that such political shifts do not define the strength or future of the PDP.

“Governors alone don’t make the party; they are an added value. The people make up your party,” he asserted.

He explained that the real power of any political party lies with its members and supporters across grassroots communities — not individual political figures seeking proximity to the ruling party.

Akahi News gathered that George criticised the mindset of politicians who defect to the APC as a survival strategy, saying the ruling party’s performance record does not justify such realignments.

“We will campaign. We will go to the field and explain to the people. What has the APC done to put a smile on the faces of Nigerians? What are the economic indices?” he questioned.

Mbah’s Defection and the Political Climate

Governor Peter Mbah’s defection marks another high-profile exit from the PDP, a move analysts say may reflect broader dissatisfaction among party members over internal disputes and the absence of cohesive leadership since the 2023 general elections.

According to Akahi News, Mbah formally announced his defection to the APC earlier on Tuesday, describing it as a step toward supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. However, the move has sparked mixed reactions across the political landscape, with some interpreting it as strategic realignment ahead of 2027.

PDP’s Future Amid Growing Defections

Despite the growing trend of defections, George reaffirmed that the PDP remains strong at its core, adding that loyalty to party principles — not opportunism — will determine long-term political relevance.

He argued that the party has survived more turbulent periods in Nigeria’s political history and will once again reposition itself as a credible alternative to the APC-led government.

Observers told Akahi News that Bode George’s reaction reflects the frustration among PDP stalwarts who fear that continued defections could weaken the party’s influence, particularly in Southern Nigeria.

As the dust settles over Governor Mbah’s move to the APC, the development underscores ongoing shifts within Nigeria’s political class, where ideological loyalty increasingly gives way to strategic repositioning.

Whether the PDP can consolidate its base and rebuild public confidence in time for future elections remains to be seen — but voices like Bode George’s continue to call for discipline, resilience, and faith in the people who form the true foundation of the party.

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