Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic decision to align the state with the federal government and accelerate development.

Mbah made the announcement during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday in Enugu, declaring that his departure from the PDP marked the beginning of “an era of progress and development” for the state.

“Today, after a long period of reflection, we have decided to leave the PDP and join the APC. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive,” Mbah said.

The governor, who was joined by his predecessor, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, emphasized that his decision stemmed from a desire for visionary partnership and purposeful leadership.

“I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose, a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow,” he added. “The voice of Enugu people and indeed that of the South-East people would now be heard in Abuja.”

Mbah described the defection as a collective decision involving the entire political structure of Enugu State. “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 councilors, all political appointees, and over 80% of party executives,” he said.

The Enugu governor now joins his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Umo Eno, and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who, along with their aides and political associates, defected to the APC earlier this year.

Speaking to journalists after the broadcast, Mbah dismissed suggestions that his defection amounted to betraying the PDP, the platform that brought him to power.

“This is not a betrayal, it is also not abandoning,” he said. “It is about recognizing that I was entrusted with the people’s mandate, and it became clear to us that the platform on which that mandate was given may not serve us optimally. In consultation with our people, we decided to migrate to a stronger platform that will best serve them.”

Mbah’s defection strengthens the APC’s growing influence in the South-East, a region traditionally dominated by the PDP, and signals what political observers see as a shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.