A major political shake-up is unfolding in Enugu State. 23 out of the 24 members of the State House of Assembly have declared their full support for Governor Peter Mbah’s move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), DAILY GAZETTE reports.
Only one lawmaker is holding out. Hon. Harrison Ogara, who represents the Igbo-Eze South state Constituency.
Ogara, a member of the Labour Party, has chosen to remain with his party, for now, in what appears to be a sweeping realignment of political loyalties across the state.
Sources within the Assembly told DAILY GAZETTE that the lawmakers’ decision was not sudden, but the result of weeks of closed-door consultations and high-level political manoeuvring.
One of the lawmakers, who asked not to be named, said the governor’s leadership style, particularly his focus on infrastructural development and economic reform, has inspired renewed confidence among legislators.
“Governor Mbah has shown capacity. What we’re doing is aligning with progress, not just playing politics,” the lawmaker said.
Official statements from the defecting members are expected on Tuesday.
“This is unprecedented. In a state like Enugu, which has long been dominated by opposition parties, seeing 23 lawmakers cross over to the ruling party signals a political earthquake,” another Assembly member added.
For now, Ogara remains the lone figure holding out, a solitary voice in a chamber that has overwhelmingly embraced the governor’s new direction.
Whether he can withstand the political pressure in the coming weeks remains to be seen.
Governor Mbah is expected to make the switch official on Tuesday.
