Carnival-like reception for Enugu governor, elected, appointed officials into ruling party
The All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened its inroads into the Southeast on Tuesday with the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah into its fold.
The party rolled out the red carpet to welcome Mbah, now the third APC governor in the five-state geopolitical zone.
From Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the reception, to National Chairman Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) Chairman Hope Uzodimma, top party leaders and former governors turned out before a huge crowd to receive Mbah and his team.
Governor Mbah said his defection was not driven by fear but by a desire to lead Enugu and its people toward prosperity and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda.
“We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect, and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours,” he said.
Describing President Tinubu as “a partner in purpose and a leader with the courage to make tough choices for lasting prosperity,” Mbah said his administration’s development philosophy aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier in a town hall meeting, Mbah formally announced his defection before national and local APC officials, elected representatives, and political appointees.
APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, Deputy National Chairman (North) Alhaji Ali Dalori, and his southern counterpart Chief Emma Eneukwu were present.
The main event followed in the afternoon, where Shettima, Yilwatda, and other leaders formally received the governor.
Shettima described the day as “a great day for the nation and for Ndigbo,” quoting Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui, who once likened the Igbo to “the Nigerian Jews — mobile, enterprising, and ambitious.”
“With the coming of Governor Peter Mbah, and with the continuous energy being exhibited by Governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe Ndigbo have come back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics,” Shettima said.
He praised Mbah as “a progressive through and through,” declaring him APC’s new leader in Enugu State.
“From our constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in his state. You are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu. We are one big family tied in a common destiny,” he said.
Shettima said defections by opposition party members do not only reflect deep cracks in their camps but underscore the strength of the APC.
He said: “Much has been said about the ongoing wave of defections to our great party.
“What the opposition has failed to do is look into the mirror to ask why the APC remains the preferred destination of Nigeria’s most visionary political actors.
“Their departures are not accidents; they reveal the cracks in the walls they built and the strength of the bridges we have constructed.
‘’The APC has become a political home where ideas find expression, where ambitions find direction, and where patriotism finds partnership.”
Akpabio, Abbas, Yilwatda, others speak
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC Chairman Yilwatda, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Governors Uzodimma and Nwifuru said Mbah’s defection marked a new political chapter in the Southeast.
Presenting the party flag and symbolic broom to Mbah, Yilwatda said:
“Your Excellency, take this broom and sweep out the remaining PDP members into the APC. Governor Mbah has taken his people from Egypt to the promised land — from depression to progress.”
Akpabio hailed Mbah’s performance, saying:
“What I’m seeing here, Enugu is even more beautiful than Abuja. The only place that compares is Akwa Ibom when I was governor,” he joked, drawing laughter.
Speaker Abbas described the event as “a celebration of unity and expansion,” saying APC was now positioned to take over the Southeast by 2027.
Uzodimma said the defection “further integrates the Southeast into national politics,” while Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru urged Mbah to “forgive those who wronged you and carry everyone along.”
Former governors Rochas Okorocha, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Sullivan Chime, as well as former Senate President Ken Nnamani and PDP state chairman Martin Chukwunweike, attended the ceremony.
A scene to remember
The event began shortly after Shettima arrived at 4:13 p.m., accompanied by a powerful delegation of APC governors, National Assembly leaders, ministers, and other political figures, and virtually shut down parts of the state capital.
The number of vehicles conveying party faithful and guests caused gridlock along Presidential Road, Government House Avenue, Toscana Junction, and the High Court area of Independence Layout.
Thousands of residents, especially supporters, trooped out to witness what was described as a turning point in the political history of the Southeast, especially Enugu State.
Security was tight with combined teams of police, Department of State Security(DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Ministry of Transport officials were on hand to manage the crowd on the major roads and the arena of the event.
Cultural troupes, frenzied drummers made the ceremony look like a carnival.
