By Desire Emmanuel
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, October 14, disclosed that the purpose of his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) was about connecting Enugu’s destiny with the central hub of broader reforms shaping the country.
He disclosed this in a message to the people of the state, adding that all the machineries in the state, including his cabinet, legislature and other political office-holders, had dumped the PDP and joined the APC.
“This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, all political appointees and over 80% of party executives,” he said.
Text of his statement reads in part: “Today, I stand before you, to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organise ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our projects and our people.
“I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to this journey over the past 28 months. “At the top of that list is Ndi Enugu. At a time when confidence in political leaders had almost collapsed, you chose to believe in us. “When I declared that “Tomorrow Is Here,” it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened. “Let us pause for a moment and consider what this transformation looks like.
“It looks like Smart Green Schools nearing completion and primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards. It looks like crime down by 80%; Maternal, Under-5 and infant mortality rates reduced by 400 percent. “It looks like a Command and Control Centre with an AI-embedded Security Surveillance System and 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles that guarantee safe streets and neighbourhoods. “Ndi Enugu, Your trust and support have been the bedrock of our success, and we pledge to honour that by delivering on our election promises. “Our elder statesmen have also demonstrated generosity and foresight. “Many of you have witnessed decades of broken promises. When we approached you, we did not ask for blind loyalty but some faith in our vision. You gave us that faith. Together, with your vote of confidence, we have achieved remarkable progress. “To my colleagues in the administration, I am grateful for your resilience. We have walked a path that often felt like a marathon without rest. Many of the ideas we put forward were dismissed as unrealistic. Yet you kept pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
“To the Peoples Democratic Party, which provided the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined in celebrating the victory. “For nearly 3 decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state. “Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult – even painful – decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny. “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress.
“This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, all political appointees and over 80% of party executives.”
