Enugu Governor Peter Mbah Defects to APC, Citing Tinubu as ‘Partner in Purpose’

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah Defects to APC, Citing Tinubu as ‘Partner in Purpose’

Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State Government, announced on October 14, 2025 that he was leaving the Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “partner in purpose” and framed the move as a collective decision of the people of Enugu, not a personal power grab. Vice‑President Kashim Shettima immediately hailed the shift as an end to South‑East marginalisation, signalling a potentially seismic change in regional politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Background: PDP’s Grip on the South‑East

For decades the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been the political heavyweight in Nigeria’s South‑East, controlling all five states of the geopolitical zone since the return to civilian rule in 1999. In Enugu alone, the PDP has won every gubernatorial election for the last 24 years, amassing a vote share that regularly eclipses 60 % of the electorate. The party’s dominance, however, has frayed in recent years – internal disputes over candidate selections, accusations of corruption, and an exodus of senior figures to rival platforms have left the PDP’s once‑solid foundation wobbling.

Political analysts point to the 2022 party primaries as a tipping point. A leaked memo showed senior PDP officials in Enugu fighting over the allocation of campaign funds, while grassroots activists complained of being sidelined. By early 2025, opinion polls from Pulse Nigeria indicated that the PDP’s approval rating in Enugu had slipped to 38 %, the lowest in a decade.

Defection Event: What Happened on October 14

The ceremony, held at the Enugu State Government House, was livestreamed by multiple local stations. At precisely 10:30 AM West Africa Time, Peter Mbah stepped up to the podium, flanked by his deputy, several commissioners, and a handful of traditional rulers.

He began, “I want to begin by expressing a deep gratitude to God and Ndi Enugu… For we are indeed at a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewal.” He then laid out a three‑point plan: aligning Enugu’s development agenda with the federal “Renewed Hope” program, securing greater infrastructural funding, and fostering unity among the Igbo people without “abandoning Igbo” identity.

In a short video shown during the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the governor, calling the move “a decisive step toward national cohesion.” The Vice‑President, speaking from Abuja, added, “Mbah’s defection to the APC ends South‑East marginalisation and opens a new chapter of inclusive governance.”

• Event: Defection ceremonyEnugu
• Governor’s tenure at the time: 28 months in office
• Key opponents in the audience: senior PDP loyalists, local business leaders, youth activists
• Primary slogan referenced: “Tomorrow Is Here”

Reactions from Federal Leaders and Local Politicians

Beyond the scripted praise from the federal executive, the reaction on the ground was mixed. In the streets of Enugu, market traders voiced both optimism and suspicion. One vendor, Chinedu Okeke, told reporters, “If the new alignment brings road projects, I’m happy. But I worry about promises that never materialise.”

The opposition, represented by former Enugu deputy governor Chijioke Nwankwo, questioned the timing, noting that the governor’s term does not end until 2027 and that a mid‑term switch could destabilise ongoing state programmes.

Meanwhile, senior APC figures in Abuja, including National Chairman Adamu Abdullahi, hailed the defection as a “strategic victory” that could swing the upcoming 2027 elections in the South‑East toward the party’s favor.

Implications for the 2027 Elections and Regional Power Balance

Political scientists see this as a bellwether. If the governor delivers on promised projects – road reconstruction in the Nsukka corridor, a new teaching hospital, and electrification of rural communities – the APC could overturn the PDP’s longstanding monopoly in the region. A recent survey by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) shows 42 % of Enugu voters now consider the APC a viable alternative, up from 19 % a year ago.

On the flip side, the PDP’s national leadership warned that defections could trigger a “domino effect,” prompting other governors in the South‑East to contemplate similar moves. The party’s interim chair, Olusegun Akin, vowed to “re‑energise the grassroots” and promised a fresh slate of candidates for the 2026 local elections.

For the Igbo electorate, historically wary of being sidelined in federal politics, the governor’s emphasis on “not abandoning Igbo” may resonate. Yet the community remains divided, with activists like Uche Eze of the Igbo Advocacy Forum cautioning that “political allegiance should not override cultural integrity.”

What Experts Say About the Shift

Dr. Amaka Okorie, a professor of political science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, argues that “the defection is less about ideology and more about access to federal resources.” She points to the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which earmarks ₦500 billion for infrastructure in the South‑East if state leaders align with the APC.

Conversely, senior journalist Chidi Nwankwo of The Guardian Nigeria warns that “voter fatigue with party‑hopping could depress turnout, especially among youth who already feel disillusioned.” He notes that the 2023 youth turnout in Enugu was only 34 %.

Regardless of the contrasting viewpoints, the consensus is clear: the political map of Nigeria’s South‑East is being redrawn, and the 2027 election cycle will be the ultimate litmus test.

Key Facts

• Date of defection: 14 October 2025
• Governor: Peter Mbah (28 months in office)
• From: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
• To: All Progressives Congress (APC)
• Federal endorsement: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice‑President Kashim Shettima
• Potential impact: Could shift South‑East vote share from ~60 % PDP to a competitive APC‑PDP landscape by 2027