Mbah’s cabinet members, Ude-Okoye, others quit PDP, join APC
By Ndukaku Ihe
In a major political shake-up in Enugu State, all members of Governor Peter Mbah’s cabinet have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the governor’s widely anticipated formal defection to the ruling party on Tuesday.
The mass defection, which reportedly took place over the weekend, became public knowledge on Monday following a high-level meeting at the Government House, Enugu.
Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the development in a video posted on his social media accounts.
In his caption, Nwomeh wrote: “Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah — from left to right: Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh; Chairman, Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board, Dr. Amaka S. Ngene; and Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Dr. Felix Nnamani.”
The video showed the state officials openly celebrating their switch, chanting pro-APC slogans such as: “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”
Insiders at Government House revealed that, beyond the commissioners, nearly all of Mbah’s personal aides have also pledged allegiance to the APC.
The development comes on the heels of the resignation of Sunday Udeh-Okoye, former National Youth Leader of the PDP and erstwhile contender for the party’s National Secretary position, who also dumped the opposition party over what he described as its “loss of moral compass and ideological direction.”
In a letter dated October 13 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Agbogugu Ward in Awgu Local Government Area, Udeh-Okoye expressed deep disappointment in the party’s trajectory.
“The decision to quit the party did not come lightly. The PDP was an integral part of my political journey, offering me opportunities to contest and serve in various offices. For these privileges, I remain profoundly grateful.
“However, I can no longer, in good conscience, remain within a system that has strayed so far from its original purpose. I am compelled to part ways with the PDP as I embark on a progressive journey dedicated to restoring the values of democracy, accountability, and service to the people.”
A two-term lawmaker in the Enugu State House of Assembly (2011–2017) and PDP National Youth Leader between 2017 and 2021, Udeh-Okoye played a central role in the party’s internal crisis after his contentious bid for the National Secretary seat against Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
With Governor Mbah and his team poised to formally declare for the APC, political observers say the development could redefine the political map of Enugu State and signal a weakening of the PDP’s 25-year grip on the state’s power structure.
