ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed disappointment over the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, said the PDP was aware of some moles within its ranks who had been working to undermine its progress.
“The PDP is utterly disappointed by those actions, having regard to what we know behind the scene. But having said that, people have a right to decide what they want to do; the consequences can follow,” Ologunagba said.
He urged PDP governors across the country to continue to recognise their role as leaders in the opposition party and remain loyal to the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate.
Ologunagba, however, expressed optimism that the party’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, would mark a turning point for the PDP.
He said, “There are some people from within our fold that continue to undermine the party and its progress. We recognise that, but we are dealing with that.
“I compare this to a situation where you have a madman in a China shop; you must be methodical, you must be deliberate in trying to exit that.
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“As a party, we are focused on the Nigerian people; we don’t want to put too much premium on the individual because it is not based on individuals; it is based on the people, and that is our strength.
“And we are going to go to Ibadan, coming out victoriously with a brand new National Working Committee that will continue to steer the affairs of the party. You must have a party before you can talk about candidates.
“So, that’s what we want to do create a very solid foundation, find the people who have character, integrity, and capacity and courage to run the affairs of the party so that Nigerians can then have a choice.”
Governor Mbah officially announced his defection from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday during a state-wide broadcast in Enugu.
Speaking to journalists after the broadcast, Mbah defended his decision, insisting it was not a betrayal but a move to better serve the people of Enugu State.
“This is not a betrayal; it is also not abandoning,” he said.
“It is more about thinking I was entrusted with the people’s mandate by the people, and it is also a cost on me carrying that same mandate on a platform that will best serve the people.”
Mbah’s defection followed similar moves earlier in the year by his former PDP counterparts Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno who also joined the APC with their appointees.
With Mbah’s defection, the PDP now has only nine serving governors out of Nigeria’s 36 states.