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From Ismail Omipidan, who was in Enugu
“The line between life or death is determined by what we are willing to do.”
The above quote by Bear Grylls, a British adventurer and writer, appears apt in situating the decision by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the political family in the state to jump ship from the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).
With that singular decision, the doors of Enugu State in particular and that of South-East in general, was shut at the PDP, thereby ending its 26 unbroken years, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The day started with a press conference, addressed by the governor at the Lion Building in the state capital, where he formally announced that: “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress.”
The governor, who was joined by two of his predecessors, Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and a former president of the senate, Senator Ken Nnamani and the entire PDP structure in the state, said he had no axe to grind with anyone, insisting that the decision to dump the PDP for the APC was a collective one.
The governor further said that he is committed to advancing the state’s interests and expressed confidence that the APC’s platform would provide greater opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Mbah stated that their decision to join the APC was informed by their desire for a visionary partnership that would bring about transformative change to the state and the nation.
Hear him “This is no whimsical decision. It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu state, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the local government chairmen, all councillors, all political appointees, and over 80 percent of party executives.”
He further said “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. I have found in His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, not just a leader of our nation, 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.”
Explaining the circumstances that compelled them to dump the PDP, Mbah, who expressed confidence that their decision to join the APC would bring about a new era of development and progress to Enugu State, said “For nearly three 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.
“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,” he said, adding that going forward “the voice of Enugu people and indeed that of the South-East people would now be heard in Abuja.”
The governor also had kind words for the PDP, saying “to the Peoples Democratic Party which provided us the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined us in celebrating the victory.”
Done with the press conference, which was attended by prominent members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, including its Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, and that of the South, Emma Eneukwu, National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, the governor spent two hours responding to questions from journalists on the new political development in the state, before moving to the Okpara Square, venue of the rally, where he was formally received by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
On hand to support Shettima, in welcoming Mbah to his new political home were: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, Senate Committee Chairman on South-East Development Commission and the first prominent Igbo man to join the APC, nine years ago, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, among other top political figures across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Shettima, who described Mbah’s defection as a defining moment for Ndigbo and the nation, further said “Today is a great day in our great nation; indeed, a great day in Ndigbo. Ali Mazrui, the great Kenyan writer, once described the Igbo as the Nigerian Jews—geographically mobile, economically enterprising and educationally ambitious. Sadly, in the last 10 to 12 years, Ndigbo, one of the most vibrant tribes in Africa, have been at the margins of Nigerian politics.
“Now with the coming of Governor Peter Mbah, with the continuous energy of Governor Hope Uzodimma and Governor Francis Nwifuru, I believe the Ndigbo have come back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.”
Describing President Tinubu as a leader with a “sense of inclusion” who rewards merit over sentiment, also noted that the APC had become “the most formidable political party in Africa.” He then turned the direction of Governor Mbah, and said: “You are already one of us. You’re a progressive through and through. I believe you had a broom hidden in your umbrella for all these years, waiting for the right moment to bring it out.
“From our convention and constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in his state. Your Excellency, you are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu State. We are one big family tied in common destiny. Be rest assured that you will be treated justly and fairly,” Shettima said.
On his part, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, also praised Mbah’s decision, saying it is a major step toward regional integration.
“Earlier this morning, the governor addressed the world and informed us of his decision to join the All Progressives Congress. We, in the South -East, are very excited and very happy.
“On behalf of the Progressives Governors Forum, I welcome everyone to Enugu and congratulate our dear brother and friend, Peter Mbah, for taking the wise decision to join the APC to strengthen the excellent work our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing in Nigeria. This decision has once again strengthened our integration into national politics.”In his address of solidarity, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio described Mbah’s defection as the beginning of “a journey that will bring more development and progress to Enugu State.
This is a journey that will bring more development. This is a journey that will bring more progress. I am a man who believes in progress.
“The entire Senate is here. Your principal officer, Osita Ngwu, was the only PDP senator in the whole of the South -East. He told me he was going with the governor wherever he was going because he is performing.
“We are all here because we are very happy. My wife is from Enugu, and my children are relocating to Enugu. What I am seeing here — this state is even more beautiful than Abuja. I think the only place that compares to it is Akwa Ibom when I was governor,” Akpabio said.
On his part, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who spoke in Igbo, so as to ensure the message penetrates, also commended Mbah for joining what he described as the train of progress.
“The Vice President is here to welcome your governor to the APC in the name of the President. Since tomorrow is here, it is good for tomorrow to join APC.
“The Vice President has come to welcome him to a place where there is progress. You know that the whole South -East has agreed to move to APC. We are all here to honour your governor,” Kalu said.
APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, described Mbah as “a progressive mind who could no longer be contained in the PDP. Enugu State is welcome to APC. Governor Peter Mbah, thank you for taking this right decision. You took your people from Egypt to the Promised Land, from depression to progress.
“Today we are seeing the new Enugu State. The PDP cannot house the kind of progressive mind that you have. As I was coming, I saw the roads, the water, the electricity, the schools — you have touched virtually all sectors. The APC is proud to welcome you and your team, as we see this defection as a return home to progress and success.
“On behalf of the National Working Committee and millions of APC members, I welcome you to this family. I welcome you to progress. I welcome you to success,” Yilwatda said.
Governor Mbah’s defection on Tuesday, no doubt vindicates Senator Kalu’s position, who in 2016, while defecting to the APC, said “If they see us in this place (APC), they will know that APC is not an ethnic or religious party.”
