APC Clears Path for Enugu Governor Peter Mbah’s Defection as PDP Faces Total Collapse in South-East

APC Clears Path for Enugu Governor Peter Mbah’s Defection as PDP Faces Total Collapse in South-East

 

 

Barring any last-minute change of plans, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, is set to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a move that would completely strip the PDP of its last governorship stronghold in the South-East region.

 

Reliable sources within the APC confirmed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has begun final preparations to dissolve the current Enugu State executive committee, led by Ugochukwu Agballah, to pave the way for Mbah’s formal entry into the party.

 

The announcement is expected to be made on Thursday, October 9, once final clearance is received from the Presidency.

 

According to insider reports, APC governors are planning to storm Enugu for a grand event to welcome Mbah into the fold. The Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, is said to be playing a central role in harmonising both old and incoming party structures in Enugu.

 

However, sources revealed that Uzodimma had earlier attempted to frustrate Mbah’s defection bid in order to maintain his influence over the Enugu APC structure. Agballah and Uche Nnaji, the recently resigned Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation — both known allies of Uzodimma — are reportedly unsettled by the planned shake-up.

 

Nnaji, who contested against Mbah in the 2023 Enugu governorship election as the APC candidate and finished third, had previously accused Mbah of being behind the controversy surrounding his ministerial credentials. Similarly, some PDP members had accused Nnaji of fueling the debate over Mbah’s alleged NYSC discharge certificate issue.

 

With Mbah’s imminent move, political observers believe that the anticipated rematch between the two Enugu East politicians in 2027 may no longer happen — unless Nnaji defects to the PDP himself.

 

Mbah’s Agricultural Initiatives Gain National Recognition

 

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah’s administration continues to draw commendation for its strides in agricultural development and food security.

 

In a recent partnership announcement, Enugu State pledged collaboration with the Harvesting Hope Caravan (HHC) — a flagship initiative under the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) in the Office of the Vice President. The partnership also includes Pula Advisors, Leadway Insurance, and several donor organisations.

 

The initiative has already insured over 9,000 farmers across the state against agricultural risks, a move officials say will safeguard production and boost farmers’ confidence.

 

Coordinator of the HHC, Safiya Umar, described the programme as “a national grassroots platform for dialogue, engagement, and mobilisation that bridges the gap between government policies and the people.”

 

She noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on sustainable, people-centred agricultural transformation.

 

Similarly, the Head of Pula Advisors in Enugu, Ugwu Ndubuisi, hailed the state for its proactive role in national agribusiness reforms and praised Mbah’s administration for prioritising farmers’ welfare.

 

Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Mbah at the flag-off of the partnership, commended the Presidency for fostering collaborations that strengthen food security nationwide.

 

He highlighted the creation of the Enugu Agricultural Farmland Bank, comprising over 130,000 hectares, aimed at attracting investors and promoting large-scale commercial farming in the state.

 

With Governor Mbah’s likely defection to the APC, political analysts say the move could reshape the political landscape of the South-East, where the PDP once held sway. The development also signals a strategic realignment that could bolster the ruling party’s presence in a region traditionally dominated by opposition forces.