By peace Udugba
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today, October 14, 2025.
This significant move follows weeks of speculation and comes after mass defections by members of his cabinet from the PDP to the APC.
He made the announcement during a state-wide broadcast, defending his decision to switch parties. The governor said the move was necessary to better connect the South-Eastern state to the federal government.
Mbah also praised President Bola Tinubu’s policies, stating that Enugu has already benefited significantly from federal support. The governor, along with members of the House of Assembly, councillors, council chairmen, and others, joined the ruling party.
His exit from the PDP is expected to be followed by that of Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri, whose defection is reportedly finalized.
Earlier this year, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and their appointees also defected to the APC.
Mbah’s defection is widely seen as a major blow to the PDP, which has governed Enugu State uninterrupted since 1999.
All members of Mbah’s cabinet have defected to the APC in solidarity with his decision.
A high-profile delegation—featuring Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen—is expected to formally receive Governor Mbah into the party.
The Igbo socio-political group Ohanaeze earlier endorsed Mbah’s move, calling it “thoughtful and timely.”
With Mbah’s defection, the APC now holds governorship in three of the five Southeast states, with the Labour Party and APGA holding one each.
