The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a major setback in Enugu State as Governor Peter Mbah and all top government officials are set to officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.
Dr. Ben Nwoye, the newly appointed Chairman of the Enugu APC Caretaker Committee, confirmed this in Abuja after his inauguration at the party’s national secretariat.
According to Nwoye, Governor Mbah’s defection will include 260 councillors, 24 state lawmakers, National Assembly members, and the entire state executive council.
He described the move as a “historic alignment” that will end Enugu’s long stay in the opposition and strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Southeast.
“For the past 10 years, Enugu State has been in opposition. That ends on Tuesday when Governor Mbah joins APC. This is the beginning of the Southeast’s political reawakening,” Nwoye said.
He praised Governor Mbah for his impressive reforms that have boosted the state’s internally generated revenue, saying the partnership between Mbah’s Transformation Agenda and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Vision would bring faster development to the region.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged the new Enugu leadership to turn the defection into a “lasting political victory,” adding that the party welcomes all new members equally.
APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, said the move marks the Southeast’s return to national political relevance. “With Enugu in APC, the Southeast has found its voice again,” he said.
Uncertainty in Benue Over Suswam’s, Orhii’s Alleged Defection
In Benue State, rumours are spreading that former Governor Gabriel Suswam and former NAFDAC boss Dr. Paul Orhii might also leave the PDP for the APC.
Although banners announcing their defection appeared on the streets of Makurdi, Suswam’s media aide, Bede Bartholomew, denied the claim.
He explained that the governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had only invited Suswam to a state banquet, not a political event.
“There is no truth to the rumour. It’s a lie from the deepest pit of hell,” Bartholomew said, urging supporters to ignore the speculation.
Suswam, who has been with the PDP since 1999, represented Katsina Ala, Logo, and Ukum Federal Constituency before serving two terms as governor and later as a senator.
PDP, APC Trade Blame Over Defections
Meanwhile, the PDP has accused the APC of intimidating and coercing its governors to defect. The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the ruling party was using threats and blackmail to lure its members.
However, APC’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, dismissed the accusation, saying the PDP’s problems are self-inflicted.
“The PDP is falling apart because of its years of corruption, failed leadership, and disregard for democracy,” Morka said. “Those leaving the PDP are doing so by choice to avoid being part of its collapse before the 2027 elections.”
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