Governor Peter Mbah Set to Dump PDP, Join APC on Tuesday
A major political realignment is underway in Enugu State as Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah prepares to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The move, which has been the subject of intense speculation for weeks, is now confirmed by top officials in both parties and is expected to dramatically alter the political landscape in Enugu and across the South East region.
According to multiple reliable sources, the defection ceremony will take place in Enugu, the state capital, and is being planned as a grand political event, signaling what insiders describe as “a strategic consolidation of power” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mbah is not moving alone. He is expected to cross over to the ruling party with a large contingent of loyalists, including members of the Enugu State Executive Council, elected National Assembly and State House of Assembly members, and grassroots leaders from various local governments and wards across the state.
APC Leaders Confirm Defection Plans
Hints of Governor Mbah’s imminent defection were given over the weekend by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. Emma Eneukwu, during the inauguration of a seven-man caretaker committee for the APC in Enugu State.
Speaking at the event, the APC leaders described the development as part of the ruling party’s broader strategic plan to strengthen its presence in the South East, a region where the party has historically struggled to gain traction.
Professor Yilwatda noted that the party was committed to ensuring inclusivity and expanding its base ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Our goal is to unite all progressive forces in the South East. We are glad that key political actors in Enugu, including the state’s number one citizen, are ready to join hands with us in building a stronger APC. The coming weeks will mark a turning point for the party in the region,” he stated.
Hon. Eneukwu, a prominent Enugu-born APC chieftain and former Deputy National Chairman (South), also confirmed the defection, describing it as “the beginning of a new political dawn for the South East.”
“Governor Mbah’s decision to join the APC is a welcome development. It will enhance synergy between the federal and state governments and ensure that Enugu benefits maximally from national projects and policies,” Eneukwu said.
Caretaker Chairman Confirms October 14 Defection
The newly inaugurated APC Enugu State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, confirmed the defection in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
He revealed that the event would be formally held on Tuesday, October 14, in Enugu and would feature the presence of top APC national leaders, ministers, and governors.
“The governor and his appointees will officially be received into the APC on October 14. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Enugu State under the leadership of the ruling party,” Dr. Nwoye said.
Dr. Nwoye explained that the move is part of a larger restructuring within the party, following the dissolution of the Enugu State Working Committee (SWC) by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) last week. The NWC subsequently appointed the seven-member caretaker team to steer the affairs of the party pending fresh congresses.
“Our task is to reposition the APC in Enugu, and we are glad that this mission coincides with the defection of a sitting governor and his team. It shows that our vision for the state aligns with the governor’s development agenda,” he added.
PDP Faces Internal Shockwaves
The news of Governor Mbah’s impending defection has sent shockwaves through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu, a state long considered one of the party’s strongholds in the South East.
Sources within the PDP’s Enugu chapter said the development has triggered emergency meetings among party stakeholders, who are now grappling with the prospect of losing both their leader and a significant portion of the state’s political structure.
A senior PDP official, who preferred not to be named, lamented that the governor’s decision could “cripple the party’s machinery in Enugu” and further weaken the opposition’s position in the South East.
“It is a heavy blow. Governor Mbah has been the face of the PDP in the state. His exit, if it happens, will demoralize our members and make it difficult to recover before 2027,” the source said.
Some analysts suggest that the PDP’s internal divisions, coupled with its dwindling national influence since losing power in 2023, may have influenced Mbah’s decision to realign with the ruling APC.
Strategic Move Ahead of 2027 Elections
Observers view Mbah’s defection as a strategic political calculation aimed at securing federal support for his administration’s development agenda in Enugu State. Since assuming office in May 2023, the governor has championed a technocratic and investment-driven approach, focusing on infrastructure, digital governance, and industrial expansion.
Political commentators argue that joining the ruling party could grant him greater access to federal resources and cooperation on key projects, including road rehabilitation, power initiatives, and economic corridor developments in the South East.
Dr. Emeka Nwosu, a political analyst and former lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, told [Newspaper Name] that the defection, though controversial, was predictable.
“Governor Mbah has consistently sought alignment between state and federal priorities. With the APC firmly in control of the federal government, this move ensures smoother collaboration and project execution,” Nwosu said.
However, he warned that the defection might deepen political polarization in the South East, a region where many voters still view the APC with skepticism.
“It’s a bold but risky move. While it may yield developmental dividends, it could alienate traditional PDP supporters who see the APC as politically alien to the region,” he added.
Reshaping South East Politics
Governor Mbah’s defection marks another step in the APC’s gradual expansion strategy in the South East, following recent high-profile defections of key figures from the PDP and other parties in Imo, Ebonyi, and Abia States.
The APC leadership has been actively courting influential politicians in the region, with the aim of breaking the dominance of the PDP and regional parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
If successful, Mbah’s move could help consolidate the APC’s influence and position it as a viable political alternative in the region, long perceived as opposition territory.
Reactions from Across the State
In Enugu, the anticipated defection has elicited mixed reactions from citizens and political stakeholders.
While some residents welcome the governor’s decision as a pragmatic step to attract federal attention and investment, others see it as a betrayal of the PDP’s loyal base in the state.
A civil society leader in Enugu, Mrs. Chika Anya, told reporters that the move could be beneficial if it translates into tangible development outcomes.
“People don’t really care about party labels anymore. What they want is good governance, jobs, and infrastructure. If joining the APC helps achieve that, then so be it,” she said.
However, a PDP youth leader, Ikechukwu Ede, condemned the decision, calling it “political opportunism at its peak.”
“This defection is not about service; it’s about survival. The governor is simply seeking political protection under the federal government,” Ede argued.
As preparations intensify for Tuesday’s grand event, all eyes are now on Governor Peter Mbah, whose defection could redefine the political trajectory of Enugu State and the South East.
The move not only underscores the shifting alliances in Nigeria’s volatile political environment but also signals the APC’s determination to entrench its dominance nationwide.
Whether the defection will deliver development dividends for Enugu or simply redraw political loyalties remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that October 14, 2025, will mark a new chapter in the state’s political history — one that may well shape the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
