Bode George: PDP Tried to Stop Mbah’s Defection, But He Joined APC

Lagos — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed surprise over the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite several efforts by top PDP leaders to dissuade him.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George said the party had gone to great lengths to reconcile with Mbah before his sudden defection.

“I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings,” George said.
“We were wondering what was going on in the South-East. Now that we have settled the matter and fixed the convention date, it’s only a question of time. Whatever position the East wanted to give him would have been his. So, what’s the essence of leaving now?”

The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member revealed that several senior figures visited the governor to appeal to him to remain in the party.

“The governor, we all waded in and convinced him. Many people went there, telling him, ‘Calm down, the convention is next month. You’ll get whatever is due to the South-East.’ But the rationale and emphasis he gave, it was like I was in a very long dream,” he said.

‘PDP Is an Iroko Tree’

Despite the defection, George maintained that the PDP remains strong and resilient, describing it as a party rooted in the people.

“I wish him the best of luck. This is not the first time people are leaving. The PDP is an iroko tree. I wish them the best,” he said.

He also took a swipe at the ruling APC, describing it as a “private enterprise” owned by one individual.

“The APC is owned by one man; he publicly said, ‘I own the party.’ That man is President Bola Tinubu,” George stated.

Mbah’s Defection Announcement

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Mbah formally announced his resignation from the PDP in a state broadcast to the people of Enugu, confirming his decision to join the APC.

“Today, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and join the All Progressives Congress,” he said.
“For nearly three decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu State walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult — even painful — decisions in the service of higher principles and goals.”

Mbah thanked the PDP for supporting him during his election, saying there comes a time when every leader must make a “bold choice” to determine their destiny.

‘Governors Don’t Make the Party’

Addressing concerns about further defections from the PDP in the South-East, George said the party’s real strength lies in its grassroots base rather than in its governors.

“Governors alone don’t make the party; they’re an added value. The people make up the party. We’ll campaign, go to the field, and explain to Nigerians what the APC has done, or failed to do, to put smiles on their faces,” he said.

When asked if he might ever consider defecting, George was emphatic:

“That is absolutely impossible,” he declared.

The PDP stalwart expressed optimism about the party’s future, insisting that the party remains “absolutely redeemable.”

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