Enugu APC Stakeholders Threaten Protest Over Moves to Stop Gov. Mbah’s Defection

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have threatened to march to the presidency in Abuja if alleged attempts to block Governor Peter Mbah from joining the party continue.

The stakeholders, drawn from the six local government areas of Enugu East Senatorial District, made the threat during a weekend meeting in Enugu.

They accused Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, of spearheading efforts to frustrate the governor’s anticipated defection to the APC.

Prominent figures at the meeting included Ben Nwoye, former APC state chairman; Christian Ugwu, retired major general and former Nigerian ambassador to Ukraine; Hilary Edoga, former vice chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Gab Nnamani, former governorship candidate; Anike Nwoga; Hyacinth Ngwu; and Juliet Egbo.

Nwoye praised Mbah’s achievements in road construction, education, healthcare, and security, noting that even President Bola Tinubu had commended his performance.
“Our plan is to reverse APC’s abysmal performance in Enugu,” Nwoye said. “Those putting a wedge to stop him don’t want APC to win in Enugu, but we won’t allow that.”

Nwoga warned that if Nnaji and his allies persisted in “spreading hate” and blocking Mbah, the stakeholders would demand the minister’s removal from office.
“APC hasn’t won any major seat in Enugu before. If Mbah comes over, the party will begin to win. Some of them want APC to lose in 2027 so they can sit tight in their Abuja appointments,” he alleged.

Edoga argued that rejecting Mbah would amount to self-marginalisation for the APC in Enugu, urging leaders to emulate states like Akwa Ibom and Delta where governors were allowed to take charge of the party.

Ugwu declared his support for the governor’s defection, stressing that competence, not personal ambition, should guide the APC’s interest in the state.
“We have a more competent man in Mbah. That’s why I’m joining those calling him to come to APC. We’ve already prepared grounds for him,” he said.

Egbo added that Mbah’s defection would attract greater federal attention to Enugu, similar to what Imo and Ebonyi states enjoy.

The meeting ended with a unanimous call on the APC national leadership to support Mbah’s entry into the party, warning that any attempt to frustrate the move could spark protests from stakeholders in Enugu East.