APC Opens Door for Governor Mbah’s Defection

Barring any unexpected twist, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, appears set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), joining his counterparts in Akwa Ibom and Delta states who have already aligned with the governing party.

At the same time, the Enugu State Government has announced plans to collaborate with the Harvesting Hope Caravan (HHC) — a flagship initiative of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) under the Office of the Vice President — along with Pula Advisors, its donor partners, and Leadway Insurance Company, to strengthen food security across the state.

Indications of Mbah’s imminent defection became clearer on Tuesday after reports emerged that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) was finalising plans to dissolve the current Enugu State party executive, led by Ugochukwu Agballah. Sources at the APC national secretariat revealed that the official announcement could come as early as Thursday, October 9, pending presidential approval of the proposed caretaker committee.

According to insider accounts, several APC governors are expected to storm Enugu to formally welcome Mbah into the party. Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, is reportedly coordinating efforts to harmonise the party’s old and new leadership structures in the state.

However, sources disclosed that Uzodimma initially attempted to delay Mbah’s entry into the party to retain his political influence in the South-East. Agballah and the embattled Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji — both allies of the Imo governor — have been accused of opposing the defection plan.

Nnaji, who ran against Mbah in the 2023 governorship election under the APC and finished third, has been entangled in a series of political clashes with the governor. The minister had earlier accused Mbah of instigating controversies over his academic qualifications, while PDP figures in Enugu accused Nnaji of fuelling questions about Mbah’s NYSC certificate.

Mbah’s expected defection may reshape the political landscape of Enugu State ahead of 2027, potentially ending speculation of a rematch between the two rivals — unless Nnaji himself makes a counter move to the PDP.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Mbah administration has insured more than 9,000 farmers across Enugu against agricultural risks — a move officials say demonstrates the government’s resolve to boost farmers’ confidence and expand productivity.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative, HHC Coordinator, Safiya Umar, described the programme as a grassroots-driven platform designed to connect policymakers, farmers, agribusinesses and local communities.

“The Caravan fosters partnerships, encourages dialogue, and strengthens Nigeria’s food systems by ensuring inclusivity and empowering women, youth, and smallholder farmers to shape the policies that impact their lives,” Umar said.

She noted that the HHC aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting the administration’s commitment to evidence-based, people-centred agricultural transformation.

Also speaking, the Head of Pula Advisors in Enugu, Ugwu Ndubuisi, lauded the state’s active participation in the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM) and commended the Mbah administration for its foresight in prioritising farmers’ welfare and agricultural insurance.

He thanked the PFSCU, Leadway Insurance, Bayer Foundation, and the Enugu government for supporting the insurance initiative, while reaffirming Pula’s continued partnership in Nigeria’s food security and agribusiness drive.

Representing Governor Mbah at the event, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai applauded the Presidency for promoting initiatives that strengthen national food security, describing it as the “foundation of economic stability.”

Ossai explained that the state government had established the Enugu Agricultural Farmland Bank, which comprises over 130,000 hectares of land, to attract investors and support large-scale commercial farming — a key component of Mbah’s agricultural reform agenda.