Mbah Ends PDP’s 26-Year Reign in Enugu, Joins APC

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking the end of the PDP’s 26-year dominance in the state and further consolidating APC’s control across Nigeria.

The defection, which took place at a grand rally at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, saw Mbah leading the state’s entire political structure including National and State Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, and appointees into the APC.

The move makes Mbah the first sitting governor from the South-East to join the APC since 2019 and is being hailed by party leaders as a major boost to President Bola Tinubu’s political consolidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.


APC Leaders Welcome Mbah
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led a delegation of top party officials to the rally, described Mbah’s defection as “a defining moment for the South-East,” saying it would “remove the region from the margins of national politics.”

He commended the governor’s leadership and promised greater federal inclusion for the zone.
“With Peter Mbah in APC, alongside Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, the Igbo nation has returned to the centre of Nigerian politics,” Shettima declared.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also lauded Mbah’s entry into the ruling party, assuring him of equal treatment and collaboration.
“You are now the leader of the APC in Enugu State,” Shettima told the governor, formally handing him the party’s membership card.

The rally attracted 12 governors, several former governors, and top lawmakers including Adams Oshiomhole, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Ned Nwoko.


Mbah: ‘We Were Ignored for Too Long’
Governor Mbah described the move as “a collective decision” by his political family to align with a platform that “respects transparency, trust, and service to the people.”

“For decades, we stood by the PDP, showing loyalty and patience, yet our voices were often disregarded,” Mbah said. “We now move to a platform that aligns with our development vision and ensures Enugu’s place in the national reform agenda.”

He praised President Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to infrastructure and economic renewal, adding that his defection was “not driven by politics but by conviction and fairness.”


Mixed Reactions Trail Defection
Reactions to the governor’s move have been varied. The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, commended the decision as “timely and strategic,” saying it would attract more federal attention to the South-East.

Former PDP chairman in the state, Augustine Nnamani, blamed internal party crises for the mass exodus.
Similarly, Dr. Alex Obiechina, a former PDP governorship aspirant, described Mbah’s action as “courageous and visionary.”

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, dismissed the wave of defections across the country as “symbolic rather than strategic,” arguing that only voters , not party switches will decide political strength in 2027.


APC Expands Dominance

Mbah’s switch further tilts the political balance in APC’s favour. With the Enugu governor’s defection, the ruling party now controls 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states, while the PDP is left with 10.

Recent defections from the PDP also include a senator from Bauchi North and three lawmakers from Kaduna State.
Political observers say the trend could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape before the 2027 elections, with analysts warning of the danger of one-party dominance.

Constitutional lawyer Akeem Aponmade cautioned that “frequent defections without ideological basis weaken accountability and erode public trust.”


Traditional Rulers, Analysts React
The Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, expressed confidence in Mbah’s decision, saying it reflected “his commitment to the people’s welfare.”

Analysts, however, warn that the PDP’s decline could threaten Nigeria’s democratic competitiveness.
“The opposition is collapsing from within,” said political analyst Akin Malaolu. “Unless there’s realignment, 2027 may not be a contest but a coronation.”

Broader Implications
Beyond Enugu, sources within the APC confirmed ongoing discussions with more PDP governors and lawmakers expected to defect in the coming months.

As the APC strengthens its hold from grassroots to the National Assembly, its expanding reach across the South-East signals a new political reality one that could define Nigeria’s democracy in the years ahead.