ABUJA, Nigeria — In a dramatic twist reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has led what analysts describe as a political tsunami, with five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers and one Labour Party (LP) representative dumping their parties to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their defection was formally announced on Thursday, October 30, when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read their letters during plenary at the House of Representatives.
Those who defected are:
- Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West)
- Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River)
- Hon. Martins Oke (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani)
- Hon. Obetta Mark Chidiebere (Nsukka/Igboeze South)
- Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu) — all from Enugu State; and
- Hon. Daniel Asama Ago (Jos North/Bassa) from Plateau State.
According to their letters, the lawmakers cited “irreconcilable internal crises” within their parties and the desire to “align with the progressive leadership of the APC.”
Speaking on behalf of the Enugu caucus, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji declared that their action was inspired by Governor Mbah’s bold defection earlier this month.
“With your blessing and in line with our collective decision to stand with our visionary Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, we formally announce our defection to the All Progressives Congress,”
Nnaji told the House.
He added that joining the ruling party would allow Enugu State to “end years of political isolation” and gain greater access to federal projects and opportunities.
Governor Mbah’s Earlier Move
On October 14, 2025, Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the PDP to the APC, ending weeks of speculation.
In a statewide broadcast, he described the move as “a painful but necessary decision to align Enugu and the South-East with the government at the centre.”
“Today, after long reflection, we have decided to join the All Progressives Congress,”
Mbah said, noting that the decision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The governor defected alongside his State Executive Council, House of Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors, and hundreds of political appointees.
APC Expands Footprint in South-East
Reacting to the mass defection, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda hailed Mbah’s move as “a defining moment in the South-East’s political reintegration.”
He said the development strengthens APC’s presence in a region long dominated by opposition parties and gives the ruling party a two-thirds “super majority” in the House of Representatives.
Context
Governor Mbah’s switch follows similar high-profile defections by Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), both of whom joined the APC with their cabinets earlier in 2025 — signalling what insiders describe as the largest realignment since 2014 ahead of the 2027 elections.
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