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Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have pledged to rebuild the party following the defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Mbah, who announced his move on Tuesday, cited what he described as the PDP’s continued marginalisation of the South-East.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions across the state, with many questioning the motive behind the switch.
Speaking on a radio programme in Enugu, Dr. Okey Ozoani, former PDP State Youth Leader and Vice Chairman, said the defection could be a blessing in disguise.
“I thank God they’ve left. Now we can rebuild our party,” Ozoani said, urging loyal PDP members to stay calm and resilient. “Good things are coming.”
He questioned whether Mbah’s move would solve real issues facing the state:
“Will defecting reduce taxation in Enugu? This is one of the most expensive and insecure states in Nigeria.”
Former Udi Local Government Chairman and PDP stalwart Nick Ozonsi expressed disappointment, calling for a deeper reform of Nigeria’s political system.
“If you couldn’t fix things in party A, how will you do it in party B?” he asked.
“We must take defections more seriously in this country.”
Other Enugu residents and political observers echoed similar sentiments.
Mr. Nwoke Eze, a loyal PDP supporter, criticized Mbah’s political strategy:
“This is shortsighted. Tinubu didn’t need to join the ruling party to make Lagos work. Why does Mbah think otherwise?”
Alika John described defection after winning office as unethical:
“Politicians shouldn’t use a party to gain office and then dump it. It feels criminal.”
Social commentator Dr. Dele Maxwell warned against personality-driven politics and urged a shift toward ideological consistency:
“We need a system where politicians build parties, not just use them. A party should reflect values, not personal ambition.”
