The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has firmly stated that it will prevent the state’s Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, from joining the party.
This declaration comes in the wake of the defection of over 150 members from the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC.
During an expanded stakeholders’ meeting at the APC Secretariat in Enugu, the state chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, expressed confidence that the APC would defeat the PDP government in the 2027 elections.
Agballah criticized the PDP-led administration, accusing it of failing to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
He claimed that armed herdsmen have ravaged several parts of the state, particularly Uzo-Uwani and Isi-Uzo LGAs, committing acts of violence, including murder and rape, without interference from the government.
Among the prominent defectors to APC were former Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Barr. Peter Okonkwo, who left PDP; Hon. Nonso Ochi, a former LP House of Assembly candidate for Awgu North in the 2023 elections; Hon. Onyeka Chukwuedo, a former PDP House of Assembly aspirant for Awgu South; Chief John Edeh, a former PDP House of Representatives aspirant from Nkanu West; and Chief Tony Chigbo, former Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA and former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
At the meeting’s conclusion, Agballah read a communique, stressing that the APC would no longer tolerate indiscipline.
He warned that any member caught engaging in anti-party activities would face suspension. Agballah attributed the party’s previous failure to secure political positions in the state to the actions of individuals he described as “paid moles,” and assured that steps were being taken to remove these individuals from the party.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Agballah emphasized that APC is committed to taking over the Enugu State Government House, asserting that the party has a capable candidate ready to replace Governor Peter Mbah, who he criticized for mismanaging the state.
“The meeting welcomes new members who joined our party and assure them of equal treatment with other members.
“The leaders note with excitement that our party has witnessed significant growth with influx of new members in the last one year.
“The number of new decampees that we received today is evidence of such influx across the local government areas and wards,” he said.
Agballah condemned rising kidnapping and killing in Isi-uzo and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas in the state in recent time, especially along the Ugwogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road.
“The leaders condemned the apparent inaction of the state government and its strenuous efforts to suppress the news of the killings.
“The party declared that the Peter Mbah-led government has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of citizens of Enugu state.
“They wondered why the state prefers to engage in deceit of showcasing what they call Command and Control Center that could not resolve security breaches beyond 10 kilometers radius from the capital city.
“The huge population of the citizens in the rural areas are left at the mercy of killer herdsmen and other criminals.
“The stakeholders endorsed the suspension of Senator Chukwuka Utazi and mandated the State Executive Committee to ratify the suspension in her next meeting and forward same to the Zonal leadership of the party,” Agballah said.
