The political instability within the Peoples Democratic Party once again became apparent on Tuesday after Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress.
Announcing his defection at a press conference in Enugu, the governor said that he is committed to advancing the state’s interests and expressed confidence that the APC’s platform would provide greater opportunities for collaboration and growth.
The defection adds to a wave of high-profile defections from the opposition party to the ruling APC-dominated 2025 politics.
Mbah, who was accompanied by his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, state and federal lawmakers, among others, said the decision was not taken lightly, but was necessary to join the APC to better serve the people of the state and align with the party’s vision for development and progress.
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.”
Mbah expressed confidence that his decision would bring about a new era of development and progress to Enugu State, saying, “The voice of Enugu people and indeed that of the South-East people would now be heard in Abuja.
Following Mbah’s defection, PUNCH Online has referenced other governors who have dumped PDP for APC in 2025.
Umo Eno — Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno formally left the PDP and joined the APC in early June 2025, saying the decision followed months of consultations and was intended to position the state for stability and development.
Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.
The governor said he decided to join the APC, citing his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom State to align with the federal government to reap continuous benefits.
Eno also assured the people of Akwa Ibom State that he would continue to work tirelessly for their benefit, regardless of party affiliation.
He said, “After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.
We’re joining the APC today in the state interest and because of our critical admiration and respect for President Tinubu, and to provide the needed support for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
We are not joining the APC from the position of weakness but from the position of strength and alive. We are joining the APC out of a need to align our state with the centre,” Eno said.
His defection led to political realignments at the state level, with members of his cabinet also joining the ruling party.
Sheriff Oborevwori (and Ifeanyi Okowa) — Delta
In April 2025, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and all members of the PDP in Delta defected to the APC.
The announcement was made in Asaba, the Delta State capital, by Senator James Manager, shortly after a meeting that lasted over six hours at Government House, Asaba.
Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the governor’s defection and the collective decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.
There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.
He continued, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
The three defections have intensified a broader crisis inside the PDP, which has been coping with internal leadership disputes and a fresh wave of exits this autumn.
The party postponed its 103rd National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for 15 October 2025, citing “recent developments,” a delay that may be connected to the surge of defections and internal tensions.
But PDP leaders and the remaining governors have vowed that the defection will not affect the party in the 2027 general elections.