Chief Bode George, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member, expressed shock over Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, George said the defection caught him off guard despite several PDP leaders’ efforts to persuade Mbah to stay.
“I never anticipated it. Even when we resolved earlier party issues and set the convention date, I believed Mbah would remain,” he stated.
George revealed that numerous PDP figures personally visited the governor, assuring him of fair treatment ahead of party conventions.
“We all engaged him, emphasising that the South-East’s interests would be respected. But his reasons seemed distant to me,” George said.
Despite recent losses, George emphasised the PDP’s resilience. “Governors add value but don’t define the party the people do.
”We remain committed to showing Nigerians what the PDP stands for,” he said.
On speculation about his own defection, George was firm: “That’s absolutely impossible.”
Addressing concerns over multiple defections, George said party strength rests on its grassroots.
“We will continue campaigning and advocating to ensure Nigerians’ will prevails, beyond just holding offices,” he said.
Governor Mbah formally announced his switch to APC during a state broadcast, citing the need to align Enugu with the federal government for progress.
He praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for support and expressed gratitude to the PDP for past collaboration.
With Mbah’s defection, APC governs Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, leaving Anambra as the only state under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
