Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially declared Governor Peter Mbah as the new leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, following the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during the defection ceremony held in Enugu on Monday, Vice President Shettima praised Mbah’s leadership qualities and described his decision to join the APC as “a bold and strategic move”.

“Governor Mbah is not just a political asset; he is a national figure whose entry into our party strengthens the APC not only in Enugu but across the South-East,” Shettima said.

“By virtue of his office and vision, he is now the undisputed leader of the APC in Enugu State.”

Mbah’s defection comes amid rising calls for a united political front in the region and efforts to give the South-East a stronger voice in national politics.

The governor had earlier said his move to the APC was driven by the need to align Enugu’s development agenda with the federal government for maximum impact.

“This is not about personal interest; it’s about the people of Enugu,” Mbah said during the event.

“We need to work closely with the federal government to unlock greater opportunities for our youth, expand infrastructure, and attract investment to our state.”

DAILY GAZETTE reports that several APC stakeholders including ministers, senators and party executives, among others, were in attendance.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reiterated his call for a political solution to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stressing that the matter cannot be resolved solely through the courts.

Mbah made the remarks on Tuesday during a statewide broadcast, shortly after announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor, he has consistently advocated for Kanu’s release through political engagement and confirmed that he brought the issue before President Bola Tinubu just days into his tenure.

“Barely a week after I assumed office, I met with the President, and I was very specific when I addressed the press, I raised the issue of Nnamdi Kanu,” Mbah said.

He emphasized that a political approach remains the most viable and lasting path toward resolving the issue.

“I have always believed that the Nnamdi Kanu matter is one that should be resolved politically. This moment presents an opportunity for the South-East to come together, consolidate our position, and push strongly for a political resolution.”

Governor Mbah urged stakeholders and political leaders across the South-East to align on this position, saying unity is crucial before engaging federal authorities.

“First, we must agree that this is the right direction. Once there is consensus on that, we can begin to work out the necessary steps, because the process will certainly involve careful planning.”

Kanu has remained in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial re-arrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.

His continued detention has sparked widespread national and international criticism, with prominent voices, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, calling it “an open sore on our nation’s conscience.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing on a suit seeking to halt the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) upcoming national convention until Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Justice James Omotosho made the ruling on Tuesday following a heated dispute between two senior lawyers, Chris Uche (SAN) and Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) each claiming to represent the PDP in the matter.

Uche told the court he had been officially briefed by PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while Ajibade, the party’s National Legal Adviser, insisted he alone was legally empowered to appoint external counsel, citing internal party rules and judicial precedent.

In an effort to resolve the impasse, Justice Omotosho asked both lawyers to step outside the courtroom for a brief reconciliation. However, when they returned, Uche informed the court that no resolution had been reached.

Ajibade further alleged that tensions escalated outside the courtroom.

“He [Uche] saw the atmosphere where some individuals threatened to beat me up,” Ajibade claimed. “I realised the issue couldn’t be settled here. The party’s constitutional process must be followed.”

Uche responded by presenting a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.

“We made serious and deliberate efforts to resolve what should be a minor issue,” he said.

The suit was filed by three PDP officials: Imo State Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; Abia State Chairman, Amah Nnanna; and South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah George. They are asking the court to halt the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The plaintiffs also requested the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the convention, alleging that the event violates the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, two separate motions to join the suit were submitted: one by Paul Erokoro (SAN) on behalf of National Chairman Umar Damagum, and another by Audu Anuga for PDP chieftains Chief Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Although the plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), opposed the motions, Justice Omotosho allowed them, joining Damagum, Odefa, and Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the case.

Justice Omotosho cautioned the PDP to settle its internal issues promptly, warning that the court would not tolerate further delays.

“We’ll give the party a chance to resolve its internal issues. If they don’t, I won’t allow any more delays. You are members of the same party, get this resolved,” he said.

“Politicians are funny. I’ll say it again: judicial processes should not be made nugatory.”

The case was then adjourned to Thursday, October 16, for the hearing of the main suit and all pending applications.

The judge gave all parties 24 hours to file their responses.

In a formal ceremony held at the Lion Building, Enugu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented its party membership card to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, confirming his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

The event was announced via the APC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shortly after Governor Mbah’s public address in which he declared his decision to shift allegiance to the APC under the theme “Charting a New Course: Transition from PDP to APC.”

“The APC National Working Committee has formally presented the Party’s membership card to the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah @PNMbah, officially marking his entry into the APC,” read the party’s post.

In his state-wide broadcast earlier in the day, Governor Mbah explained that his decision was not driven by personal ambition or emotion, but was the outcome of months of consultations.

“Joining the APC is about ensuring Enugu’s development aligns more closely with the policies and programmes of the federal government under President Tinubu. We do this for the greater good of our people,” he stated.

He noted that although Enugu and the broader South East have long been loyal to the PDP, the region has often been overlooked during moments that mattered most. He sees this move as a pathway to amplify Enugu’s voice at the national level.

Governor Mbah also praised President Bola Tinubu as not just a political leader, but a “partner in purpose”, one willing to make tough decisions for Nigeria’s advancement.

“This is not a detour; it is a conscious step toward a stronger future for Enugu,” he affirmed.

He gave assurances that existing state projects, such as the Smart Green Schools, health centres, and road works, would continue and be completed on schedule.

“Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level,” Governor Mbah said.

Joining him in the ceremony were his predecessor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, members of the State Executive Council, National Assembly delegates, local government chairmen, and various political stakeholders.

The governor said that Enugu will now fully engage with the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which aims to empower 8.8 million Nigerians across 8,809 electoral wards.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed a proposal by the National Assembly to shift the 2027 general elections forward to November 2026, warning that such a move could significantly undermine governance in Nigeria.

The proposal, which was presented during a joint public hearing in Abuja on Monday, seeks to amend the current electoral calendar to allow for the conclusion of election petitions before the swearing-in of new officeholders.

However, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, issued a statement on Tuesday rejecting the idea.

According to the party, the proposed timeline would shorten the effective period for governance and plunge the country into a never-ending election cycle.

“By cutting the current political calendar by six months, the proposal threatens to push Nigeria into a state of permanent electioneering, where politics dominates governance and development is perpetually on hold,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that if elections are held in November 2026, serious campaigning would likely begin as early as 2025, leaving elected officials with barely two years to focus on actual governance before political distractions take over.

“Presidents, governors, ministers, and public officials will prioritize campaign positioning over public service. Projects may be abandoned, policies stalled, and leadership focus will shift prematurely to the next election,” the statement warned.

Abdullahi also cited the current climate under the APC-led administration as a cautionary example, noting that political campaigning has already overshadowed governance long before the end of the term.

While acknowledging the concern over delayed resolution of election petitions, the ADC insisted that amending the election date is not the solution.

Instead, the party called for reforms that would strengthen the nation’s institutions, particularly the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“If the aim is to ensure petitions are resolved before inaugurations, then the focus should be on judicial reform, strict adherence to tribunal timelines, and capacity building within INEC, not on cutting short the democratic mandate of elected leaders,” Abdullahi concluded.