Shettima declares Mbah APC leader in Enugu after defection to ruling party

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, has become the new leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following his defection to the ruling party on Tuesday.

Shettima spoke during Mbah’s formal reception into the APC at Okpara Square, Enugu.

“As for the APC convention and constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in the state,” the vice-president said.

“Your Excellency, you are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu state. I am the vice-president, but the leader of the APC in Borno is Governor Babagana Zulum.

“The president of the senate is the number three citizen, but the leader of the party in Akwa Ibom is Governor Umo Eno.

“The speaker of the house of representatives is the number four citizen, but the leader of the party in Kaduna is the governor of Kaduna state.”

Shettima described the Igbo as “the Nigerian Jews”, who, according to him, are geographically mobile, economically enterprising, and educationally ambitious.

He lamented that the south-east had been politically marginalised for over a decade, calling for greater inclusion under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“For the past 12 years, the Ndigbo, one of the most vibrant ethnic groups in Africa, had been on the margin of Nigerian politics,” he said.

“But with the coming of Mbah and the continuous energy being exhibited by governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe the Ndigbo have come to the mainstream of Nigeria.”

Shettima described President Tinubu as a “leader for all citizens”, noting that his belief in merit and inclusion has strengthened the APC’s position as “the most formidable political party in Africa”.

He added that Mbah’s defection was not surprising.

“You are a progressive. I am convinced that you had a broom hidden in your umbrella all these years, waiting for the right moment to bring it out,” Shettima said.

“We are one family tied to a common destiny. I want to assure all of you that you are very much welcome to the APC, and we are one big family.

“Rest assured that you will be treated justly and fairly, and all the developmental initiatives that have been planned for will certainly reach the south-east.”

The vice-president also commended APC governors and party leaders in the region for their efforts in strengthening the party’s base in the south-east.

Mbah had earlier described his decision to join the APC as a strategic move to secure equitable representation and advance the interests of his state and region.

He praised Tinubu’s leadership at the centre, describing the president as a visionary committed to national progress and a partner who recognises the south-east as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s development.