APC Bars another PDP Governor From Joining Party, Blames Him For Security Failures
APC State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, made this known during an expanded stakeholders meeting at the party’s secretariat in Enugu, where 150 prominent members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) defected to the party.
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it will not accept Governor Peter Mbah if he joins the party.
APC State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, made this known during an expanded stakeholders meeting at the party’s secretariat in Enugu, where 150 prominent members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) defected to the party.
Earlier this week, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori officially defected from the PDP to the APC, marking a significant political shift in the region. This move ended the PDP’s 26-year dominance in the oil-rich South-South state.
Governor Oborevwori’s defection was followed by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, along with the entire State Executive Council. Joining them was the immediate past governor of the state and former PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who also crossed over to the APC.
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba.
The decision is attributed to internal party conflicts and a decline in grassroots support for the PDP. Oborevwori faced challenges from political figures such as James Ibori, Ned Nwoko, and Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), which contributed to his departure from the PDP.
This defection is part of a broader trend of political realignments in Nigeria, as the APC seeks to strengthen its presence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We will not accept Governor Peter Mbah into our party,” Agballah said, emphasising the party’s stance. The APC accused the PDP government of failing to prioritise security, citing the rise of killer herdsmen in Uzo-Uwani and Isi-Uzo local government areas.
The party condemned the state government’s apparent inaction and efforts to suppress news of the killings, stating that Governor Mbah’s administration has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property.
“The Peter Mbah-led government has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of citizens of Enugu state,” the party said.
In a communique issued after the stakeholders’ meeting, and made available to SaharaReporters, APC welcomed the new members, assuring them of equal treatment and party loyalty.
The leaders noted with excitement that the party has witnessed significant growth with an influx of new members.
The defection of 150 prominent members from PDP and LP is evidence of the party’s growing strength. Some of the notable defectors include Barr. Peter Okonkwo, a former PDP member and House of Assembly aspirant, who promised to collapse PDP structures in Nsukka zone.
The defectors also include “Hon Nonso Ochi, LP House of Assembly candidate for Awgu North Constituency in the 2023 election; Hon Onyeka Chukwuedo, PDP House of Assembly aspirant, Awgu South Constituency in the 2023 election; Chief John Edeh, PDP House of Rep Aspirant from Nkanu West LGA; Chief Tony Chigbo, former Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA and former Member of Enugu State House of Assembly under PDP; Engr Emeka Abba, a Chieftain of LP from Udenu LGA, among others.”
“We are confident that our party will continue to grow from strength to strength,” the APC said.
The party leaders expressed confidence in President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged to support his second term.
The APC also endorsed the suspension of Senator Chukwuka Utazi for anti-party activities and mandated the State Executive Committee to ratify the suspension. The party leaders commended the leader of APC in South East, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his untiring efforts and support for the party in Enugu State and South East in general.
The stakeholders encouraged the teeming party faithful in the state to keep faith with the party and not relent in holding their regular meetings at the wards and local government areas. The party assured that it would not disappoint them.
The APC stakeholders urged Igbo people to continue to support the government of President Tinubu and his reform programmes.
