Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was to “chart a new course” for the state and its people.
Speaking on Tuesday during his formal defection in Enugu, Mbah described the move as a bold and strategic decision rooted in principle, development, and alignment with a national vision that offers greater opportunities for Enugu.
“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead,” he said.
“This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our projects and our people.”
The governor expressed deep gratitude to the people of Enugu for their trust in his vision of transformation, recalling how his Tomorrow Is Here mantra inspired hope during a period of political skepticism.
“When I declared that ‘Tomorrow Is Here,’ it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened,” Mbah said.
He highlighted sweeping achievements across sectors — including the near completion of Smart Green Schools, primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards, an 80 per cent drop in crime, and a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre with AI-powered surveillance.
Others, according to him, include over 1,000 kilometres of paved roads, a revived water system, massive revenue growth, and a booming tourism and investment landscape.
Mbah, however, paid glowing tribute to the PDP for providing the platform that propelled him into office.
“For nearly three decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state,” he said.
He explained that leadership often demands “difficult – even painful – decisions.”
“Today, after long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC,” Mbah announced.
According to him, the defection was a collective decision involving members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, State Executive Council, local government chairmen and councillors, political appointees, and more than 80 per cent of party executives in the state.
“For decades, the South-East – especially Enugu – 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,” Mbah lamented.
The governor said his move to the APC was driven by a desire to align Enugu’s destiny with the federal centre, ensuring fair representation and access to national opportunities.
“I have found in His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, not just a leader of our nation but a partner in purpose — a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow,” Mbah stated.
