Bode George: Peter Mbah’s defection shocked me, but governors don’t make PDP

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).