The long-rumoured defection has finally become reality Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pitched his tent with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move, though unsurprising to close political watchers, carries far-reaching implications for Enugu politics, the Southeast region, and indeed the national political landscape ahead of 2027.
Peter Mbah’s defection marks the formal collapse of PDP’s decades-long dominance in Enugu. Since 1999, PDP has held Enugu in a near-monopoly grip producing every governor from Chimaroke Nnamani to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. With Mbah’s crossover, the structure of the once-mighty PDP in the state now faces its toughest existential test.
His move is not merely a personal political decision; it is a signal that the old order is crumbling. The defection effectively shifts Enugu’s political centre of gravity from the Wadata Plaza (PDP headquarters) to the national ruling party, giving the APC a new stronghold in the Southeast where it has long struggled to gain genuine grassroots acceptance.
Several reasons can be read into this political realignment. First, survival and strategic positioning. The PDP at the national level has been riddled with internal crises and dwindling relevance since losing power in 2015. For Mbah, aligning with the federal ruling party may guarantee access to federal resources, political protection, and development partnerships all of which could strengthen his administration’s performance in Enugu.
Secondly, Mbah’s technocratic and investment-driven governance model fits more comfortably with the pro-business ideology currently espoused by the Tinubu-led administration. By joining the APC, he is likely betting on smoother collaboration to attract federal projects and private sector investments into the state.
For Ndi Enugu, Mbah’s move to APC is both an opportunity and a risk.
On the positive side, it could mean better federal attention. Key infrastructure projects roads, power, industrial zones, and housing might now receive greater priority. His government could also enjoy easier access to intervention funds, development grants, and partnerships from Abuja.
However, the defection raises questions about political loyalty and ideological consistency. Critics argue that it reflects the transactional nature of Nigerian politics, where politicians switch parties not for principle, but for convenience. Mbah must therefore reassure Ndi Enugu that his allegiance remains with the people, not the power brokers in Abuja.
Mbah’s exit is a devastating blow to the PDP’s Southeast structure. With Enugu now effectively under APC control, the opposition party risks becoming politically irrelevant in a region that once served as its fortress. The ripple effects may spread quickly to Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra, where defections could follow as politicians reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
It is clear that Mbah’s defection is not an isolated event it is a calculated move in the larger chessboard of 2027 politics. As the APC seeks to consolidate power and weaken opposition strongholds, Mbah’s entry offers Tinubu’s administration a valuable political ally in the Southeast, a region where the president is still striving for legitimacy and acceptance.
For Mbah, this could be a double-edged sword. While aligning with the centre could bring short-term benefits, it might alienate segments of his base who see the APC as politically distant from Southeast interests. How he balances these dynamics will define his legacy.
Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to APC has altered the political equation in Enugu and beyond. Whether this change will translate to tangible dividends for the people or simply another round of political repositioning remains to be seen.
For now, Ndi Enugu must watch closely and hold their governor accountable to ensure that this new political marriage serves their interest, not the ambitions of a few.
By: Godwin Offor
