▪︎ GMTNewsng Political Desk

October 14, 2025 | Enugu

Enugu’s Switch to APC: A Defining Political Realignment

Enugu’s Switch to APC has become the single most talked-about political event in Nigeria’s Southeast since the return of democracy in 1999. Enugu, long considered the spiritual home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had produced political heavyweights whose influence shaped national debates and regional politics.

From Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani to Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the PDP enjoyed near-total dominance – until now. This bold transition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) marks the end of a two-decade-old political era and signals the start of a new ideological chapter.

For many residents, the Enugu’s Switch to APC represents not betrayal but evolution – a recognition that development partnerships and federal collaboration often matter more than partisan loyalty.

From PDP Stronghold to National Integration: A Historical Perspective

To fully appreciate Enugu’s Switch to APC, one must understand the state’s political trajectory. Since Nigeria’s Fourth Republic began in 1999, Enugu State had been a fortress for the PDP, often delivering overwhelming electoral margins. Its voters remained loyal through successive administrations, believing the PDP best represented regional interests.

Yet over time, frustration grew. Despite Enugu’s loyalty, federal projects in the Southeast were often delayed or underfunded. Many residents began to question whether staying outside the ruling coalition was a sustainable strategy.

Political observers now describe Enugu’s move as a long-overdue step toward national integration – a conscious decision to align regional aspirations with federal influence.

By switching to APC, Enugu joins the league of pragmatic states seeking greater inclusion, infrastructural attention, and political relevance in Abuja’s corridors of power.

Governor Peter Mbah: The Pragmatist Behind the Political Recalibration

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has emerged as the architect of Enugu’s Switch to APC. Known for his visionary “Tomorrow Is Here” governance philosophy, Mbah has consistently pursued results-driven reforms focused on infrastructure, innovation, and digital transformation.

His administration’s emphasis on e-governance, education reform, and investment attraction aligns seamlessly with the APC-led Federal Government’s priorities. Insiders reveal that Mbah’s decision was informed by a strategic calculation: to secure accelerated federal cooperation in realizing his transformative agenda.

Critics may see this as political convenience, but even opponents admit that Mbah’s approach reflects a forward-looking realism. For him, development – not dogma – is the new measure of leadership success.

Ben Nwoye: The Unsung Trailblazer Behind the Enugu APC Story

It is impossible to discuss Enugu’s Switch to APC without acknowledging Dr. Ben Nwoye, the former Enugu State APC Chairman whose tenacity built the foundation for today’s success.

When Nwoye assumed leadership of the party in its earliest days, APC was treated as an alien entity in Enugu’s political culture. Party members were ridiculed, sometimes intimidated, and often isolated. But Nwoye persisted – organizing town hall meetings, strengthening grassroots structures, and recruiting professionals and youths who believed in ideological diversity.

His leadership saw the birth of the APC Secretariat in Enugu and the establishment of a credible internal framework that survived fierce political storms. Nwoye often preached that no democracy could mature without competition and that the Southeast must “engage, not antagonize” the center.

While his voice was once drowned out by partisan noise, history has vindicated him. The current alignment owes much to his years of bridge-building – between communities, between ideologies, and between political generations.

Economic and Developmental Implications of the Switch

Beyond politics, Enugu’s Switch to APC has strong economic logic. Enugu is positioning itself as a hub of regional commerce, smart infrastructure, and private investment.

The Mbah administration’s partnership with global investors – in power generation, road infrastructure, and agriculture – aligns perfectly with federal developmental blueprints. By joining the ruling party, Enugu now stands a better chance of attracting counterpart funding and inclusion in strategic national projects.

For instance, the federal push for industrial corridors, gas distribution, and logistics modernization could directly benefit Enugu’s emerging industrial zones in Ozalla, Ninth Mile, and Emene.

Political realignment, therefore, becomes an instrument of economic leverage – and Enugu’s leaders seem to understand that deeply.

Youth Mobilization and the New Political Consciousness

A crucial factor driving Enugu’s Switch to APC is the awakening of youth participation. Across Nsukka, Udi, Awgu, and Nkanu, thousands of young professionals, artisans, and students have become politically active in support of pragmatic politics.

They argue that ideological rigidity has robbed the region of opportunities. To them, this shift is a reclamation of agency – a declaration that young people can decide their future, not as spectators but as stakeholders.

The APC’s focus on innovation, digital economy, and entrepreneurship resonates with these demographics. It also helps that Governor Mbah’s administration prioritizes ICT hubs, business clinics, and start-up funding, making the Enugu’s Switch to APC appear not as a partisan maneuver, but a generational movement.

National Impact: Redefining Nigeria’s Political Balance

The national implications of Enugu’s Switch to APC are immense. For the first time in decades, the Southeast now has one of its political capitals integrated into the ruling party’s framework.

This development recalibrates Nigeria’s political balance — symbolically bridging the North-South divide and improving the region’s voice in federal decision-making.

Some fear it may contribute to a one-party dominance at the center, but political analysts argue otherwise: as long as the Southeast maintains internal competition and active civil society engagement, democracy remains vibrant.

Rather than stifle dissent, this realignment could inspire healthy rivalry and cross-party accountability, ensuring that governance — not opposition for its own sake — becomes the region’s central mission.

Federal Collaboration and Strategic Visibility

Already, APC national leaders have hailed Enugu’s Switch to APC as a step toward national unity. Federal ministries are reportedly preparing to expand operations in Enugu to support collaborative projects in agriculture, renewable energy, and digital services.

This could enhance federal presence in the Southeast, attract capital inflow, and strengthen the region’s bargaining power. It also restores confidence among investors that Enugu is politically aligned for long-term stability.

The Fear of a One-Party State – and the Case for Balanced Politics

No major political shift comes without controversy. Critics warn that Enugu’s Switch to APC could feed Nigeria’s slide toward a one-party state. However, political experts counter that balance is not found in opposition for opposition’s sake, but in effective governance and informed citizen participation. https://apc.com.ng

Enugu’s decision, therefore, should be seen as part of a democratic evolution – where alliances shift, parties reform, and voters demand results. If the APC-led government at the federal and state levels delivers tangible development, it could redefine the logic of regional politics and create new standards for leadership accountability.

A Legacy Moment for Enugu’s Political Evolution

From colonial administrative capital to a regional center of education and culture, Enugu has always been a trendsetter in Nigeria’s sociopolitical journey. The Enugu’s Switch to APC reaffirms this historical pattern – of leading change rather than resisting it.

It shows a state unafraid to adapt, explore new pathways, and assert its relevance in national conversations. It also reflects a maturing democracy where ideology bends to the will of progress.

Conclusion: The Dawn of Pragmatic Politics in the Southeast

In essence, Enugu’s Switch to APC is not a retreat from tradition but a redefinition of political realism. It captures the story of a people ready to engage the center, compete for resources, and negotiate from a position of strength.

Governor Peter Mbah’s reform-driven leadership, combined with the foundational work of Ben Nwoye and the growing involvement of youths, signals a deeper awakening – one rooted in the understanding that politics must serve people, not parties.

If sustained, this transformation could become a blueprint for national integration – where states act as partners in progress, not enclaves of opposition.

As history unfolds, Enugu’s bold step may well be remembered as the moment when the Southeast finally turned from the margins to the mainstream of Nigeria’s political and developmental future. http://gmtnewsng.com

By Daniel Whitmore – Political Editor

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Introduction: A Party at a Crossroads

The APC Enugu Dissolution has reignited tensions within the state chapter of Nigeria’s ruling party. The National Working Committee (NWC) on October 9, 2025, announced the dissolution of the elected state executive committee and appointed a seven-man caretaker team led by former chairman Ben Nwoye.

While the decision was defended as a move to restore order, many within the Enugu chapter viewed it as politically motivated and unconstitutional. The fallout has once again highlighted the fragile state of internal democracy within the APC, particularly in the South-East region.

Leadership Under Fire

Critics of the dissolved executive allege that its chairman alienated members through what they described as an “autocratic leadership style.” For months, internal dissent brewed quietly before boiling over with the APC Enugu Dissolution. Some party loyalists see this latest development as “the last kick of a dying horse,” reflecting long-standing divisions and mistrust.

However, loyalists of the former executive insist the NWC’s action was unlawful, pointing to specific sections of the party constitution that require due process before dissolving an elected committee.

They argue that only the National Executive Committee (NEC), after recommendations from the South-East Zonal Executive Committee, could make such a move. This, they say, makes the NWC’s resolution a violation of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended).

Ben Nwoye’s Comeback and Possible Rebirth

Mr. Ben Nwoye, who previously served two terms as the APC State Chairman, had at one time resigned from the party after publicly criticizing its leadership. During his tenure, he rose to become the National Secretary of the Conference of APC State Chairmen, a role that positioned him prominently in the national political landscape.

His sudden return as caretaker chairman after the APC Enugu Dissolution has raised eyebrows, with some interpreting it as a political comeback engineered by national power brokers.

Still, others view his reappointment as an opportunity for renewal. Observers cautiously note that Nwoye’s administrative experience and national exposure could help reposition the Enugu APC for better electoral performance – possibly even securing its first significant wins in future elections if unity is restored.

“This may yet be the beginning of a rebirth for the party, provided lessons from the past are learned,” said one analyst in Enugu.

The Constitutionality Debate

The dissolved Enugu APC executive, in its official statement, described the NWC’s resolution as “unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional,” vowing to challenge it through internal mechanisms.

According to Articles 21.1 to 21.3 of the APC Constitution, disciplinary actions involving state organs should originate from the zonal committee. The argument from the dissolved executive is that this process was ignored.

Meanwhile, supporters of the NWC argue that extraordinary circumstances justified swift intervention, citing growing discontent among members and alleged exclusion from party affairs.

The Path Forward for APC Enugu

Political observers say the APC Enugu Dissolution is not merely a struggle for control but a reflection of deeper ideological and structural issues within the party’s state chapter.

To regain credibility, analysts suggest that whoever holds leadership – whether caretaker or elected – must understand that power is held in trust for the people. They must adopt an open-door policy, ensure internal inclusiveness, and prioritize transparency in decision-making.

Party unity, they argue, will remain elusive unless fairness and consultation become guiding principles.

Conclusion: Leadership as a Trust

Ultimately, the Enugu APC crisis underscores that leadership in any democratic institution thrives on mutual trust. The APC Enugu Dissolution serves as a test of political maturity – a reminder that every mandate, even within a party, is a trust that must be managed responsibly.

If the new caretaker committee succeeds in reconciling factions and rebuilding confidence, history might judge this dissolution not as a collapse but as a turning point for the APC in Enugu State.

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Daniel Whitmore is GMTNewsng’s Political Editor. He writes on governance, power dynamics, and democratic accountability in Nigeria and Africa. Whitmore is known for his balanced analysis and insightful commentary on party politics and leadership trends.

● Stephanie Daberechukwu 

Enugu, Nigeria – May 14, 2025
In a decisive move aimed at restoring unity and stability within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) on Wednesday unanimously endorsed Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the rightful candidate to complete the tenure of the party’s National Secretary. The meeting, held at the Government House in Enugu, came on the heels of a Supreme Court verdict affirming the autonomy of political parties in resolving internal leadership disputes.

Chaired by Chief Ali Odefa, the South East PDP Zonal Chairman, the high-level gathering of party leaders resolved to adopt the recommendations of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the National Working Committee (NWC), which directed the zone to put forward a nominee for the National Secretary position zoned to it.

“We believe the directive of the NWC offers a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party,” said Chief Odefa. “Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.”

The communique issued at the end of the meeting urged the NWC to uphold its April 29, 2025 resolution – taken during its 600th meeting in Abuja – by allowing the Deputy National Secretary to act in the interim until the NEC ratifies Udeh-Okoye’s nomination.

The endorsement reignites a long-standing internal debate that has seen the South East ZEC reiterate the same position multiple times without final implementation. The zone had previously nominated Udeh-Okoye in October 2023, reaffirmed the choice in February 2024, and again in January 2025, all without official ratification.

“Our zone has had to go through this process for the umpteenth time,” the communique noted with visible frustration. “Unlike other zones where vacant national offices are seamlessly filled, the South East has faced repeated delays.”

The PDP in the South East emphasized its unwavering loyalty and contributions to the party since inception, even as the PDP grapples with post-2023 election defections. The zone highlighted major inroads in Enugu State, where the Labour Party governorship candidate and two House of Representatives members have returned to the PDP. In a notable turnaround, the party’s seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly have risen from 10 to 20 since the inauguration of the current Assembly.

“This resurgence in Enugu is not accidental,” said one ZEC member who preferred not to be named. “It is a product of strategic engagement and loyalty to the PDP’s ideals, which we expect to be reciprocated.”

The communique concluded with a veiled warning: “We hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. This would bring to closure the needless lingering dispute over the matter. However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward.”

The latest development is seen as a litmus test for how the PDP intends to manage internal equity, party loyalty, and regional balance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, a seasoned political strategist and former National Youth Leader of the PDP, is widely respected across party lines and is expected to bring renewed vigor to the national secretariat if ratified. GMTNewsng