Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, becoming the third governor from the Southeast to join the party. The move deepens the APC’s presence in the five-state geopolitical zone.
The party rolled out the red carpet for Mbah, with top leaders including Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Chairman Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Progressives Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma in attendance, alongside former governors and a large crowd of supporters.
Speaking at the event, Mbah stressed that his defection was motivated by a vision for prosperity, not fear. “We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect, and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours,” he said. He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a partner in purpose and a leader with the courage to make tough choices for lasting prosperity,” adding that his administration’s development philosophy aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier in the day, Mbah formally announced his defection at a town hall meeting attended by national and local APC officials, elected representatives, and political appointees, including APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, Deputy National Chairman (North) Alhaji Ali Dalori, and Southern Deputy Chairman Chief Emma Eneukwu.
During the main reception in the afternoon, Shettima hailed the event as “a great day for the nation and for Ndigbo,” quoting Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui, who likened the Igbo to “the Nigerian Jews — mobile, enterprising, and ambitious.” He added, “With the coming of Governor Peter Mbah, and with the continuous energy being exhibited by Governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe Ndigbo have come back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.”
Shettima also praised Mbah as “a progressive through and through,” officially declaring him APC’s new leader in Enugu State. “From our constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in his state. You are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu. We are one big family tied in a common destiny,” he said.
Other party leaders, including Senate President Akpabio, Speaker Abbas, APC Chairman Yilwatda, and Governors Uzodimma and Nwifuru, described Mbah’s defection as a new political chapter in the Southeast. Yilwatda presented Mbah with the party flag and symbolic broom, saying: “Your Excellency, take this broom and sweep out the remaining PDP members into the APC. Governor Mbah has taken his people from Egypt to the promised land — from depression to progress.”
Akpabio lauded Mbah’s achievements, joking, “What I’m seeing here, Enugu is even more beautiful than Abuja. The only place that compares is Akwa Ibom when I was governor.” Speaker Abbas called the event “a celebration of unity and expansion,” while Uzodimma noted it “further integrates the Southeast into national politics.” Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru urged Mbah to “forgive those who wronged you and carry everyone along.”
The ceremony was attended by former governors Rochas Okorocha, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Sullivan Chime, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, and PDP state chairman Martin Chukwunweike. The event drew thousands of residents, causing traffic gridlock along key areas of Enugu city.
Security was tight, with combined teams from the police, DSS, and NSCDC, while the Ministry of Transport managed the large crowd. Cultural troupes and drummers added a festive, carnival-like atmosphere to the historic occasion.
