Bode George Expresses Shock Over Governor Mbah’s Defection to APC

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 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George said Mbah’s move came as a shock, especially after several reconciliation efforts by senior PDP figures to address internal party issues.

“I never saw it coming. When Anyanwu was reinstated as secretary to complete his assignment, he urged his people not to attend meetings. We were concerned about developments in the South-East,” George said. “Now that we’ve resolved the matter and fixed the convention date, it’s surprising. Whatever position the East wanted to offer him would have been his. So, why leave now?”

The PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member revealed that party elders had made concerted efforts to convince Mbah to remain within the PDP.

“Many leaders appealed to him, telling him to calm down because the convention was just weeks away and that he would get what was due to the South-East. But the reasons he gave for leaving were like something out of a dream,” George added.

Despite the defection, George expressed optimism about the PDP’s resilience, describing the party as an “iroko tree” that remains deeply rooted in Nigeria’s democracy.

“I wish him well. This is not the first time people are leaving. The PDP remains an iroko tree. The APC, on the other hand, is a private enterprise owned by one man, President Bola Tinubu himself,” he said.

Governor Mbah, in his public address on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was motivated by a desire for stronger collaboration with the federal government to advance development in Enugu State.

“Let me be clear: I will continue to represent our state and region with strength and purpose. Our Igbo identity and destiny remain the same. What has changed is that our vision now finds stronger support at the federal level,” Mbah said.

He assured residents that all ongoing infrastructure and social projects, including schools, hospitals, and roads, could continue as planned.

While acknowledging Mbah’s departure, George maintained that the PDP remains “absolutely redeemable” and will continue to play a major role in shaping Nigeria’s political future.