The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah, has revealed the reasons for his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mbah expressed gratitude to God and the residents of Enugu while addressing newsmen on Tuesday, confirming his defection to the APC.
His words: “For we are indeed at a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewal. Today, I stand before you, to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our projects and our people.
“I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to this journey over the past 28 months. At the top of that list is Ndi Enugu. At a time when confidence in political leaders had almost collapsed, you chose to believe in us. When I declared that ‘Tomorrow Is Here’, it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened.
“Let us pause for a moment and consider what this transformation looks like. It looks like Smart Green Schools nearing completion and primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards. It looks like crime down by 80%; Maternal, Under-5 and infant mortality rates reduced by 400 percent. It looks like a Command and Control Centre with AI-embedded Security Surveillance System and 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles that guarantee safe streets and neighbourhoods.
“It looks like water flowing again through new mains and restored supply. It looks like over 1000 kilometres of paved roads. It looks like Internally-Generated Revenue up 600%. It looks like a fully booked International Conference Centre pouring money into our local economy. It looks like direct flights taking off – with Enugu Air linking us to key cities across Nigeria and beyond. It looks like 3 million visitors to Enugu by 2026 – with Nigeria’s first zipline, 4 immersive eco-tourist sites.
“It looks like commuting in comfortable CNG buses at 5 world-class terminals; and having 260 Farm Estates that bring production to scale. It looks like Hotel Presidential and Nigergas revamped; and several moribund assets roaring back to life. Of course, it looks like winning the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Model Green State Award as the Cleanest State in Nigeria. It looks like Enugu on the national – indeed global – map.”
Governor Mbah acknowledged that the trust and support of Enugu residents have been the bedrock of his government’s success, pledging to honour that trust by delivering on his election promises.
He also thanked the elder statesmen in Enugu, affirming that they have demonstrated generosity and foresight, “Many of you had witnessed decades of broken promises. When we approached you, we did not ask for blind loyalty but some faith in our vision. You gave us that faith. Together, with your vote of confidence, we have achieved remarkable progress.
“To my colleagues in the administration, I am grateful for your resilience. We have walked a path that often felt like a marathon without rest. Many of the ideas we put forward were dismissed as unrealistic. Yet, you kept pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Because of your dedication, today we hear applause for Enugu across Nigeria and beyond.”
The governor equally expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him with the platform to campaign and win, saying: “The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined in celebrating the victory. For nearly 3 decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state.
“Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult – even painful – decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny. Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress.”
Mbah noted that his defection was not a whimsical decision, but a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, all political appointees, and over 80% of party executives.
He continued: “Over the past months, I have thought carefully about the path forward. In the end, after much soul searching and discussion, I have concluded that we must stand for the principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all – the people we serve. For decades, the South East – especially Enugu – has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the party’s success.
“Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most. It has therefore become necessary to seek affiliation where our interests as a region are represented in the form of fair partnership. We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours. Today, in joining the APC, we are embracing a visionary partnership.”
Governor Mbah disclosed that he has found in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not just a leader of Nigeria, but a partner in purpose — a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.
“Together, we share a conviction that transformation must be bold and disruptive – that roads, railways, and airlines must stretch out from the heart of the South East; that Enugu’s promise, its security, its schools, its hospitals, its markets, its communities – must be reinforced. The President has shown not only interest, but a deep and vested commitment to Enugu, one that recognizes our region as a pillar of national progress.
“We both share a belief that renewal does not stop at the grand highways or the balance sheets. It must reach the ward, the village, our grassroots. It is in the daily life of the farmer, the trader, the young entrepreneur that reforms come alive. We both welcome initiatives that decentralize opportunity, that strengthen the capacity of local government, that bring seed capital and credit to our youth, and that expand healthcare and education at the community level.
“Just as we do in our ward-based development initiatives, these convictions are boldly expressed in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, an idea conceived to empower over 8.8 million Nigerians across the country’s 8,809 electoral wards. Yes, some choices demand sacrifice. Removing subsidies, unifying our foreign exchange markets, confronting crippling inefficiency – these are not easy decisions. But these are the smart choices that free resources for investment in our people.”
He reiterated that President Tinubu has shown he is not afraid to make tough decisions for a fair and stable nation, “And here in Enugu, we have been just as audacious. This move is bigger than politics – it is about alignment at scale. It is about connecting Enugu’s destiny with the central hub of broader reforms shaping our nation.
“Of course, this does raise some questions: Will the voice of Enugu be heard now in Abuja? How will the change affect our progress at home? How will your lives be touched by this decision? Let me be clear, I will represent our state and our region with the same strength of purpose as I have always done. Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level.”
He added: “The progress you see today will not slow, and the projects we have begun will be completed. Yes, there have been challenges and delays along the way, but make no mistake – schools, hospitals, roads, and our services will be finished as promised.”
