Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending nearly three decades of uninterrupted PDP dominance in the state.
The governor made the announcement during a special address in Enugu on Tuesday , describing the move as a strategic and carefully considered decision aimed at aligning the state with the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“Leadership sometimes demands difficult, even painful, decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. After a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress,” Mbah told a gathering of political stakeholders and supporters.
The governor emphasized that the defection was not a personal act but a collective move by Enugu’s political establishment, including members of the National and State Assemblies, the State Executive Council, local government chairmen and councillors, political appointees, and more than 80% of PDP executives in the state.
Mbah used the occasion to reflect on his administration’s achievements in the last 28 months, pointing to what he called “visible and measurable transformation” across multiple sectors.
These include the near completion of Smart Green Schools, establishment of primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards, restoration of water supply through new mains, the paving of over 1,000 kilometres of roads, and a 600% rise in internally generated revenue. He also highlighted improved security through the launch of an AI-powered Command and Control Centre, deployment of 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles, and an 80% reduction in crime rates.
The governor further pointed to major investments in tourism, transportation, and economic infrastructure, including the full booking of the Enugu International Conference Centre, the launch of Enugu Air, and the development of 260 farm estates and eco-tourism sites expected to attract three million visitors by 2026.
“The transformation looks like water flowing again, schools rising, roads expanding, and our economy growing. It looks like Enugu on the national and global map,” Mbah said.
On why he left the PDP, Mbah noted that despite the South East’s loyalty to the party over the years, the region’s interests were frequently overlooked at critical moments.
“For decades, the South East – especially Enugu – has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the party’s success. Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most,” he lamented.
Mbah described his decision to join the APC as one driven by a desire to secure fair partnership for the state at the federal level and to reinforce his administration’s development agenda with stronger national collaboration.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling him “a partner in purpose” and commending his courage in taking tough economic decisions such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.
“This move is bigger than politics – it is about alignment at scale. It is about connecting Enugu’s destiny with the central hub of broader reforms shaping our nation,” he stated.
“Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level.”
Mbah assured residents that ongoing projects would not be affected by the political shift, pledging to complete all infrastructure and social development initiatives as promised. He also called on political leaders across the South East to prioritize service over personal ambition.
“Our people are watching. What they care about most are results. True leadership is about service to the people, not service to self. Principles, not personalities, must guide us,” he said.
He concluded his address with words of gratitude to President Tinubu for his support and encouragement, expressing optimism that the new political alignment would usher in a fresh era of prosperity for Enugu State.
“Let us gather with renewed hope to build the Enugu, and the Nigeria, that our children deserve. Tomorrow is here,” he declared.
Leave a Reply