By Deborah Nnamdi
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has defended his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the move was made in the best interest of the people of the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after announcing his defection in a state-wide broadcast, Mbah dismissed suggestions that his action amounted to a betrayal of the party under which he was elected.
“This is not a betrayal; it is also not abandoning,” the governor stated. “It is more about realizing that I was entrusted with the people’s mandate, and it is my responsibility to carry that same mandate on a platform that will best serve the people.”
According to him, the decision to join the APC followed extensive consultations and was based on the conviction that the PDP could no longer effectively deliver on the aspirations of the people of Enugu State.
“We have people who, under a particular platform, gave me their mandate to lead them,” Mbah said. “But it became clear that the platform on which that mandate was given may not serve us optimally. After consultations, we decided to migrate to a stronger platform that will best serve our people.”
When asked whether he owed an apology to those who supported him as a PDP candidate, the governor stressed that his loyalty was to the people rather than to any political structure.
“If this move was about personal ambition or would affect the progress we have made in Enugu, then the analogy of betrayal might fit,” he said. “But this is about putting the people first—before the party.”
Mbah’s defection comes amid a wave of realignments among top political figures in the South East and South South. Reports indicate that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has also concluded plans to join the ruling APC, following similar moves earlier in the year by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, who crossed over with their cabinets and political appointees.
