By John Umeh
Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is preparing to cross political lines as he officially defects from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The move, which has been widely speculated for months, is now confirmed by top APC officials and expected to reshape the political calculus in both Enugu State and the wider South East region.
The defection event will be staged in Enugu, the state capital, with a full display of political pageantry. According to insiders, Mbah will not be joining the ruling party alone; he will be accompanied by members of his cabinet, elected legislators at both the state and federal levels, as well as influential grassroots politicians from across the 17 local government areas of the state.
APC Welcomes a Big Catch
Leaders of the APC at the national level have described the defection as a strategic victory. Party Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Deputy National Chairman (South) Hon. Emma Eneukwu had dropped strong hints during the inauguration of a new seven-man caretaker committee for the party in Enugu last week.
Speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, the newly appointed caretaker chairman of the party in Enugu, Dr. Ben Nwoye, confirmed the development:
“On October 14, Governor Mbah and his appointees will officially be received into the APC. This is a defining moment not only for Enugu State but for the South East, as it will create new opportunities for alignment with the federal government under the ruling party.”
The announcement comes just days after the APC National Working Committee dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee, paving the way for fresh leadership that could smooth Mbah’s transition into the fold.
Why Mbah is Making the Switch
Political analysts say the defection is less about ideology and more about survival and relevance. The PDP, once dominant in the South East, has faced internal divisions and waning influence at the federal level. With the APC firmly in control at the center, Mbah’s move is seen as a strategic calculation to ensure that Enugu State aligns more closely with Abuja ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Some observers argue that Mbah is seeking to secure federal support for his developmental agenda in Enugu, especially in infrastructure and security. Others believe the governor is positioning himself for a stronger role in national politics, leveraging the APC’s expansive reach and resources.
Implications for the South East
Governor Mbah’s defection carries significant weight for regional politics. The South East has historically been a stronghold of the PDP, but recent defections of high-profile politicians suggest that the APC is steadily gaining ground.
For the APC, bringing in a sitting governor from Enugu is not only symbolic but also strategic. It signals to other states in the region that the ruling party is determined to consolidate power in areas where it has traditionally struggled.
Meanwhile, PDP insiders fear that Mbah’s departure could trigger a domino effect, weakening the party’s grassroots structures in Enugu and possibly inspiring similar moves by other politicians seeking relevance in the federal ruling party.
What Lies Ahead
As Enugu braces for the high-profile event on October 14, expectations are high that the defection will alter the state’s political dynamics. Mbah’s crossover will likely intensify competition between the APC and PDP in the region and could set the stage for heated battles ahead of 2027.
For now, APC loyalists are celebrating what they describe as a “major breakthrough,” while PDP supporters are scrambling to prevent an exodus of party faithful. Whatever the case, Governor Mbah’s defection underscores a truth about Nigerian politics: power often flows to where the center holds, and loyalty tends to follow.
