From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ENUGU
Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah has allegedly abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in what could mark one of the most significant political shift in the South East ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources close to the governor revealed that Mbah had held extensive consultations in recent weeks with political allies within Enugu and at the national level.
Among those believed to have influenced his decision are former governors Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime, as well as a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, all of whom are now prominent figures in the APC.
Insiders disclosed that final consultations are expected to wrap up this week, after which Governor Mbah and his political structure will announce an official date for his defection.
According to sources, his decision stems from two major grievances. First, he has reportedly grown disillusioned with PDP’s lingering internal crises, which he views as a threat to the party’s chances in 2027.
Secondly, he has voiced concerns over the continued marginalisation of the South East in PDP’s leadership hierarchy.
The tension dates back to June, when Mbah threatened to lead the South East bloc out of the PDP after the national leadership reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary over Sunday Udeh-Okoye, the preferred candidate of the zone.
The move, allegedly influenced by a former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, further deepened Mbah’s frustration.
If confirmed, his defection will be a major blow to the PDP, which will be left with control of only nine states; Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and Zamfara.
With Rivers already under strong APC influence through Wike’s alliance with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the party’s grip appears increasingly fragile.
The APC, on the other hand, will extend its dominance to 24 states nationwide, leaving only Abia (Labour Party), Anambra (APGA), and Kano (NNPP) under opposition control.
Mbah’s rumored switch has already triggered intense debate across the political spectrum, with analysts suggesting that it could reshape alliances in the South East and alter Nigeria’s political balance ahead of 2027.
