South-east gained nothing for years of supporting PDP, says ex-Enugu commissioner

Ifeanyi Nwoga, a former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Enugu state, says the south-east has gained little despite years of supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nwoga commended Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu, for defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former commissioner said Mbah’s defection would align Enugu with the ruling party and attract greater federal government attention to the state.

“The defection of the Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in the strategic interest of the south-east,” the statement reads.

“The move is strategic in many ways. For starters, it aligns Enugu State, and by extension, the entire South East, with the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

“Enugu is the capital of the South East, and it therefore does not make much sense for the state to be in opposition.

“It is evident that the PDP, on whose platform the Governor contested and won the election in 2023, is gradually withering.

“Therefore, with its uncertainty, it does not make any sense for any well-meaning politician to remain in the opposition party.

“No doubt, Governor Mbah has given a good account of himself in the governance of the state in the last two years. Under his leadership, Enugu has witnessed great infrastructural development.

“Therefore, the Governor’s defection to the APC will give more impetus to his development strides, as the state would be properly aligned with the Federal Government, for the overall benefit of the people of Enugu.

“Besides, Mbah’s defection will help hook the entire South East to the centre so that the zone can reap maximum benefits from the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.”

“While the people of South East have supported the opposition party for the greater part of the last 26 years, the zone does have much to show for its alliance with the PDP, especially in terms of development.

He said there was no reason for the people of the south-east, particularly those in Enugu state, to continue supporting the PDP, which had not reciprocated their loyalty in the past 26 years.