PDP Chieftains, Aggrieved APC Leaders React to Mbah’s Defection

Governor Peter Mbah’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to stir political tension in Enugu State, as some members of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and aggrieved APC leaders voice strong opposition to the move.

Over the weekend, a group of PDP stalwarts under the banner of Concerned Enugu State PDP Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to remain in the party and rebuild its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Their reaction came shortly after the dissolved Enugu State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC, led by Ugochukwu Agballah, announced plans to challenge its dissolution by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in court.

It will be recalled that the APC’s NWC, during its 179th meeting on October 9, 2025, dissolved the Enugu SEC and appointed a seven-man caretaker committee headed by former state chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye.

Governor Mbah, alongside members of his cabinet and 23 of the 24 State Assembly members, formally joined the APC on October 14, citing the alleged marginalisation of the South East by the PDP leadership.

However, his defection has been met with mixed reactions. Some PDP members condemned the move, describing it as motivated by personal ambition rather than the collective good of the people.

Speaking to journalists in Enugu, Dr. Okey Ozoani, former PDP state youth leader and ex-vice chairman of Enugu West Senatorial District, and Engr. Nick Ozoani, a former chairman of Udi Local Government, vowed to remain in the PDP and work toward rebuilding it.

“I thank God they have defected, so we can now return to rebuild our party,” Okey Ozoani said. “True PDP members should remain calm and resilient; good things are coming.”

He criticised Mbah’s defection, asking, “Will defecting reduce taxation in Enugu State? Don’t you know this is one of the most expensive and insecure states to live in?”

Ozoani further argued that Mbah’s loyalty to the PDP was questionable, noting that he only joined the party in 2003 and had minimal involvement after leaving office in 2007 until he emerged as governor in 2023.

“As chairman of the Enugu PDP Stakeholders Forum, we begged him not to leave. We told him that if Wike was the problem, we could meet him and resolve it. But he chose to leave instead of building the party,” he added.

On his part, Engr. Ozoani called for reforms in Nigeria’s political system, stressing that defection should not be a convenient escape from accountability. “If you can’t perform in one party, how will joining another make a difference?” he queried.

Meanwhile, members of the dissolved Agballah-led APC executive have vowed to challenge their removal, insisting it violated the party’s constitution.

They argued that, according to Articles 21.1 to 21.3 of the APC Constitution, disciplinary action against a State Executive Committee should originate from the Zonal Executive Committee and be referred to the National Executive Committee (NEC), not decided unilaterally by the NWC.

Describing the dissolution as unconstitutional and unjust, they directed all ward, local government, and zonal officers in Enugu to remain in office and continue discharging their duties.