A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and member of its Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, has expressed surprise over the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Tuesday, George said he was taken aback by Mbah’s move despite several interventions by party leaders aimed at persuading the governor to remain in the PDP.
“I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings,” George said.
“We were wondering what was going on in the South-East. Now that we have settled the matter and fixed the convention date, it’s only a question of time. Whatever position the East wanted to give him would have been his. So, what’s the essence of leaving now?”
The PDP stalwart disclosed that many top members of the party had engaged Mbah in discussions to prevent his exit.
“The governor, we all waded in and convinced him. Many people went there, telling him, ‘Calm down, the convention is next month. You’ll get whatever is due to the South-East.’ But the rationale and emphasis he gave, it was like I was in a very long dream,” George lamented.
Despite Mbah’s defection, George maintained optimism about the future of the PDP, describing it as a resilient political force.
“I wish him the best of luck. This is not the first time people are leaving. The PDP is an iroko tree. We have survived bigger storms,” he said.
Mbah, who announced his defection to the APC earlier on Tuesday during a statewide broadcast, said his decision was driven by a desire to connect Enugu State to the federal government for accelerated development.
“Today, after a long reflection, we have decided to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress,” he said.
“Leadership demands difficult decisions in the service of higher goals. My decision to join the APC is to better serve the people of Enugu and align with the party’s vision for progress.”
The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, noting that Enugu had benefited from “massive support” under his administration.
Mbah was formally received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and other national leaders.
With the defection, the APC now controls four of the five South-East states — Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo — leaving only Anambra under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Reacting to fears of mass defections in the South-East, George argued that the PDP’s strength lies not just in its governors but in the people.
“Governors alone don’t make the party; they’re an added value. The people make up the party. We’ll go to the field and explain to Nigerians what the APC has done or failed to do to put smiles on their faces,” he stated.
When asked if he could ever consider leaving the PDP, George responded firmly, “That is absolutely impossible.”
He, however, expressed confidence that the party remains “absolutely redeemable” and will bounce back stronger ahead of future elections.
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