Bode George, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
board of trustees (BoT), says he was surprised by the defection of Peter Mbah,
governor of Enugu, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
George spoke on Tuesday during an interview on ‘Politics
Today’, a Channels Television programme.
The PDP chieftain said he had no inkling that Mbah would
dump the party despite several efforts by senior members to address internal
grievances.
“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,” the PDP chieftain 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?”
George said party elders had visited the Enugu governor to
persuade him to stay within the fold.
“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,” George added.
He wished Mbah well but maintained that the PDP remains
resilient despite the wave of defections.
“I wish him the best of luck. This is not the first time
people are leaving. The PDP is like an iroko tree — it will stand. I wish them
well,” he said.
‘GOVERNORS ALONE DON’T MAKE THE PARTY’
George also dismissed suggestions that the defection of
governors from the PDP would diminish the party’s electoral chances.
“Governors alone don’t make the party; they’re only an added
value,” he said.
“The people make up the party. We’ll campaign, go to the
field, and tell Nigerians what the APC has done or failed to do to put smiles
on their faces. It’s not just about holding office. We’ll make sure the will of
Nigerians prevails.”
Asked if he would ever leave the PDP, George said that was
out of the question.
“That is absolutely impossible,” he said.
Despite the recent turbulence rocking the party, he
expressed optimism that the PDP remains “absolutely redeemable”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mbah formally announced his defection to
the APC during a state-wide broadcast.
He said the decision was aimed at strengthening Enugu’s
relationship with the federal government to attract more development.
“Today, after deep reflection, we’ve decided to leave the
Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress,” Mbah said.
“Leadership demands difficult decisions in pursuit of higher
goals. My decision to join the APC is to better serve the people of Enugu and
align with the party’s vision for progress.”
The governor commended the President Bola Tinubu
administration, saying Enugu has benefitted from “massive support” under his
leadership.
Mbah was received into the APC by Vice-President Kashim
Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nentawe Yilwatda, national
chairman, and other senior party figures.
With Mbah’s defection, the APC now governs three of the five
south-east states — Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — while Abia is controlled by the
Labour Party (LP) and Anambra remains under the All Progressives Grand Alliance
(APGA).
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