In a strategic move ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) who contested for the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2023 have publicly urged Governor Peter Mbah, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to defect to their party. Positioning themselves as the “Forum of APC 2023 House of Assembly Candidates,” the group expressed frustration with remaining in opposition, arguing it has hindered their political influence and the state’s development.
The appeal, announced during a press briefing in Enugu on Monday, followed a similar endorsement by a faction of APC stakeholders two days prior. The earlier group, led by former state chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye, had named President Bola Tinubu and Governor Mbah as their preferred 2027 presidential and gubernatorial candidates—a move now amplified by the candidates’ call. Barrister Godwin Onwusi, the forum’s coordinator and a former Udi North constituency candidate, revealed a formal invitation had already been sent to Mbah, praising his leadership as aligning with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The 11 candidates, representing Enugu’s three senatorial zones, emphasized Mbah’s infrastructure projects and policy reforms over his two-year tenure, which they claim have “renewed the hope” of residents. They argued his potential defection would strengthen APC’s electoral prospects while fostering closer ties between the state and Nigeria’s ruling federal government. “Your entrance into the APC will not only give it the strength required to win elections in Enugu but also make the state more friendly with the federal government,” read their statement, addressed directly to the governor.
While the PDP has yet to respond, the public overture highlights internal dynamics within Enugu’s APC as it seeks to consolidate power in a state traditionally dominated by the PDP. Analysts note the appeal underscores a broader strategy to leverage Mbah’s popularity and governance record, despite his party affiliation. However, it remains unclear whether the governor, who has not publicly commented on the proposal, will consider the unprecedented cross-party recruitment bid.
The development also raises questions about APC’s electoral roadmap in southeastern Nigeria, a region where it has historically struggled to gain traction. With Enugu emerging as a focal point, the party’s efforts to court a sitting PDP governor signal ambitions to reshape political allegiances ahead of a pivotal election cycle. For now, the ball rests in Mbah’s court—a decision that could redefine both his career and the平衡 of power in the region.
