Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah has defended his decision to quit the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mbah announced his decision in a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday in Enugu, noting that the decision to defect from the PDP would give rise to an era of progress and development for the state.
According to him, a desire for a visionary partnership also necessitated the move.
Speaking in the company of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his immediate predecessor, he said: “Today, after a long period of reflection, we have decided to leave the PDP and join the APC. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive.
“I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose, a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.
“The voice of Enugu people and indeed that of the South-East people would now be heard in Abuja."
He added, “This is no whimsical decision. It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu state, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the local government chairmen, all councilors, all political appointees, and over 80% of party executives.”
The Enugu Governor now joins his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Umo Eno, as well as Delta State Governor, Sheriff Obvwevori who alongside their officials and appointees defected to the APC earlier this year.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mbah quashed talks of a "betrayal" of the PDP after being elected governor of the state under their umbrella.
“This is not a betrayal, it is also not abandoning”, said Mbah.
“It is more about thinking I was entrusted with the people’s mandate by the people, and it is also a cost on me carrying that same mandate on a platform that will best serve the people but it became clear to us that the platform on which that mandate was given may not serve us optimally, and then, in consultation with them decided that we’re now going to migrate to a stronger platform that will best serve them
“So I don’t see that as a betrayal," he explained.
