PDP Remains Strong, United Despite Mbah’s Defection to APC – Enugu Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has maintained that the defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not weakened the party’s structure or unity.

State Chairman of the PDP, Steve Oruruo, stated this on Tuesday, assuring that the party remains resilient, united, and focused on reclaiming its dominant position in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The PDP remains very strong in Enugu State despite Governor Peter Mbah’s defection,” Oruruo said. “We are already repositioning ourselves to present a formidable candidate in 2027 who will challenge the APC and restore the party’s leadership in the state.”

Oruruo, who assumed office after the resignation and defection of his predecessor, admitted that the party has experienced some internal issues but emphasized that mechanisms are in place to resolve them amicably.

He added that the PDP would not contest Mbah’s defection in court, noting that such legal challenges in the past had not yielded positive results.

“There has never been a victory in cases challenging defections. Our focus is on rebuilding the party and preparing for future elections,” he said.

The PDP chairman expressed optimism that the party has emerged stronger from recent challenges. “Our strength lies in our unity, shared vision, and commitment to the ideals that have defined the PDP for decades,” he added.

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah has explained that his defection to the APC was driven by a desire to better serve the people of Enugu, not by personal ambition.

“What we have done in Enugu is to elevate service above politics. Our loyalty is to the people, not the colour of a flag or party logo,” Mbah said.

He dismissed suggestions that his move was self-serving, stressing that it was motivated by principles of fairness, accountability, and effective governance.

“If it were about personal ambition, I would have stayed with the familiar. But this decision is about building a stronger platform to deliver better governance,” he said.

Mbah also cited growing political fragmentation in the South-East as a key factor in his decision, arguing that the region’s influence at the national level has diminished due to divisions among its states.

“In the last decade, the South-East has lost its political voice. We cannot have five states in one region belonging to four different political parties and still expect national relevance,” the governor said. “We must act strategically to protect the collective interest of Ndigbo.”

Despite the political realignment, both the PDP and Mbah have expressed commitment to serving the people of Enugu and promoting unity within the state.