A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Chief Augustine Nnamani, has said that the party will have only itself to blame if Governor Peter Mbah eventually defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speculation has intensified over Governor Mbah’s potential defection, with reports indicating that an official announcement may follow a series of stakeholder consultations.
According to Premium Times, the consultations were reportedly influenced by key political figures including former Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and former Senate President Ken Nnamani.
While Mbah’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, acknowledged the ongoing consultations, he stopped short of confirming any decision to leave the PDP.
Speaking on Monday, Chief Nnamani expressed disappointment in the PDP’s treatment of the South East region and Governor Mbah, calling the situation a self-inflicted crisis.
“If Governor Mbah eventually defects, PDP should take full responsibility. The party’s consistent disregard for the South East has left many disillusioned,” he said.
Nnamani recalled how the region had obeyed the directive of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to nominate Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, following the latter’s decision to contest the Imo State governorship election.
Despite this, internal wrangling and indecision stalled the process.
“Even after the Supreme Court returned the matter to the party to resolve internally, PDP leaders failed to act decisively. The party leadership chose to play politics instead of doing the right thing,” he lamented.
Nnamani also accused some PDP governors of failing to support Mbah, alleging that both the governor and the entire South East PDP were sidelined in favor of “narrow personal interests.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen an entire region thrown under the bus to appease a few individuals,” he said.
“Governor Mbah was betrayed, not just by the party, but also by his colleagues in the PDP Governors’ Forum who refused to back him at a critical time.”
He further stated that the South East had previously warned the PDP that continued marginalization would force the region to reconsider its allegiance to the party.
“So, if Governor Mbah makes the move, it would only reflect the collective frustration of the region. It won’t be a personal decision but a political statement.”
According to Nnamani, Mbah’s potential departure would mark a significant turning point for the PDP.
“If Governor Mbah defects, the PDP will become the only major party in Nigeria without a single governor in the South East, a region that once gave the party its strongest support.”
He described Mbah as one of the most effective and high-performing governors in the country today, warning that his exit would be a major loss for the party.
