Governors Mbah, Diri Set to Join APC Next Week Amid PDP Crisis — Third Governor’s Identity Still Hidden

A major political shake-up is imminent as Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, both elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are reportedly set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) next week, Saturday Vanguard has learned.

According to party insiders, the formal defection is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, with preparations already underway at the APC National Secretariat. The identity of a third opposition governor expected to join the ruling party remains undisclosed for now.

Mbah’s Move and Enugu Earthquake

In anticipation of Mbah’s defection, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) on Thursday dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee and installed a caretaker leadership, signaling a full-scale political realignment in the South-East.

Although a top aide to Governor Mbah initially declined to confirm the report, he later admitted that “the deal has been sealed,” adding:

“The governor will land in APC, but I don’t know whether it will be on Tuesday.”

Confirming the development, Dr. Ben Nwoye, newly appointed APC Caretaker Chairman in Enugu, said Mbah’s defection would mark the collapse of PDP’s 25-year dominance in the state.

“Political evangelism has started. The governor has agreed to move with us into APC. He is not coming alone — he’s coming with the entire structure of Enugu PDP,” Nwoye announced in Abuja to thunderous applause during the inauguration of the caretaker committee.

He added that Mbah will join the APC along with 260 ward councillors, 24 state lawmakers, National Assembly members, and the entire PDP state executive.

APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda welcomed the defection, calling it “a historic realignment.”

“APC is home for all. The person who came yesterday, today, or tomorrow has equal rights. Our goal is simple — to expand, to win, and to deliver overwhelming victory in 2027,” Yilwatda stated.

Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, described the move as “the return of the South-East to national relevance.”

“We will no longer play second fiddle. With Enugu in APC, the South-East has found its voice again,” he said.

Diri’s Path to APC and Bayelsa Resistance

In Bayelsa, Governor Duoye Diri’s long-rumored defection is also expected to take place next week, following months of consultations with former President Goodluck Jonathan, party elders, and members of the State House of Assembly, many of whom reportedly back the move.

However, some National Assembly members, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Diri’s predecessor and political mentor, are said to be strongly opposed to his plan.

Sources disclosed that while three House of Representatives members — Fred Agbedi, Maria Ebikake, and Mietama Obordor — will remain in the PDP, Senator Konbowei Benson will follow Diri to the APC.

A Bayelsa lawmaker close to the governor said:

“There is no going back on the governor crossing to the APC. Consultations are over. The governor is going with several House of Assembly members, though not everyone will join.”

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said he was unaware of any official defection plans.

APC Plans Grand Reception

The APC leadership is reportedly planning a grand reception for Governors Mbah, Diri, and the third yet-to-be-named governor, similar to the ceremonies held for Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) when they defected earlier.

“The party leadership will give them a befitting reception,” a senior APC source confirmed.

Why Mbah Is Dumping PDP

A close aide to Governor Mbah outlined three major reasons behind his decision to quit the PDP:

1. Maltreatment of the South-East zone by the PDP leadership
2. Failure to ratify Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary, despite being the South-East’s consensus choice
3. Endless internal crises rocking the party

Tensions between the PDP National Working Committee and the South-East caucus reached a breaking point in May 2024, when regional leaders warned that they might “reconsider their relationship with the PDP” if Udeh-Okoye was not ratified.

Former Senate President and PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, accused the party of “trampling on the South-East despite decades of loyalty.”

Governor Mbah himself had hinted at a possible defection during a meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde in June, saying:

“We reserve the right to review our continued membership of the party if the PDP is unwilling to put its house in order.”

With the retention of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a known ally of Nyesom Wike, as National Secretary, the PDP’s internal rifts appear to have deepened — driving yet another wave of defections that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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