A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. USA Igwesi, has applauded Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for leading the entire structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Igwesi described the move as timely, bold, and strategic, noting that it would reconnect Enugu — the former capital of the Old Eastern Region — to the centre of national political power controlled by the ruling APC.
Speaking with journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, the former Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, who represented Nkanu West State Constituency, said Governor Mbah’s decision had once again demonstrated his political foresight and leadership capacity.
“Governor Mbah is smart and strategic. He knows when to act and what is best for the state. Everyone who followed events in the PDP would agree that he had endured enough of the internal wrangling in his former party. The PDP is irredeemable, and the crises plaguing it are self-inflicted. All Enugu people are happy with the governor’s decision to move,” Igwesi said.
He explained that with Enugu now aligning with the Federal Government, a new era of synergy and development has been opened for the state.
“The support witnessed during the governor’s defection was organic and massive. All segments of the political class came out to identify with the APC. This collective political realignment will reinforce Mbah’s infrastructural revolution and developmental vision for the state,” he added.
Igwesi lamented that despite the South East’s consistent loyalty to the PDP for over two decades, the region had gained little in return, especially in the area of infrastructure and federal presence.
He maintained that Mbah’s defection was in the overall strategic interest of the South East, as it would help integrate the zone into the national political mainstream.
“For more than 26 years, the South East has supported the opposition but with little to show for it. Governor Mbah’s decision is therefore a courageous and well-considered move that aligns Enugu and the entire South East with the centre of political power,” Igwesi noted.
He further commended the governor for his “disruptive and visionary leadership,” which, he said, had already placed Enugu on a path of rapid transformation within two years of his administration.
“Governor Mbah’s defection to the APC will add greater impetus to his development strides and enable the state to benefit fully from President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Igwesi concluded that posterity would remember Governor Mbah for his foresight in repositioning Enugu and reconnecting it to the national grid of political power and opportunity.
