Prof. Udenta Udenta says the major source of the defection problem rocking Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, can be linked to the Presidency. The elder statesman pioneer National Secretary of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, AD, made the remark on Channels Television programme, Sunshine Daily on Wednesday.
The remark comes on the heels of the high profile defections that have rocked the opposition PDP in the last few months, including the defection of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC on Tuesday.
Governor Mbah’s defection ended months of speculations about his future in the PDP under which he won the 2023 governorship election.
The members of the governor’s cabinet, including commissioners and Special Advisers had earlier on Monday moved into the APC, a move described as a defining moment in the state which has been under the control of the PDP since the return of Nigeria to constitutional democracy in 1999.
The governor who has since been presented a membership card by the APC National Working Committee, NWC, blamed his defection on the crisis rocking the PDP and the need to take the state to the mainstream of the nation’s politics.
According to Prof. Udenta, the crisis in the PDP cannot be totally divorced from the Presidency which he accused of intimidating and coercing members of the opposition to join APC.
He dismissed the suggestion by Governor Mbah and some south east leaders that joining the APC, the party in power at the centre will attract development to the region, saying such leaders should take a cue from President Tinubu, who as a lone AD Governor of Lagos state refused to join the ruling PDP at the time, but managed to build his party through conscious efforts,and later won power at the centre.
The magazine magazine reported that Governor Mbah’s defection to the APC comes few months after two other PDP governors, Sheriff Obovrewori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom dumped the PDP for the ruling party.
Sources close to the PDP informed that two other governors from the party have perfecetd plans to defect to the APC in few weeks.
Governor Mbah’s defection, according to political analysts, effectively brought to end the 26 years of PDP control of the Coal City, as the state is widely known among Nigerians.
Why I dumped PDP- Mbah
I want to begin by expressing a deep gratitude to God and Ndi Enugu…
For we are indeed at a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewal.
Today, I stand before you, to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our projects and our people.
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I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to this journey over the past 28 months.
At the top of that list is Ndi Enugu. At a time when confidence in political leaders had almost collapsed, you chose to believe in us.
When I declared that “Tomorrow Is Here,” it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened.
Let us pause for a moment and consider what this transformation looks like.
It looks like Smart Green Schools nearing completion and primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards.
It looks like crime down by 80%; Maternal, Under-5 and infant mortality rates reduced by 400 percent.
It looks like a Command and Control Centre with AI-embedded Security Surveillance System and 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles that guarantee safe streets and neighbourhoods.
It looks like water flowing again through new mains and restored supply.
It looks like over 1000 kilometres of paved roads.
It looks like Internally-Generated Revenue up 600%.
It looks like a fully booked International Conference Centre pouring money into our local economy.
It looks like direct flights taking off – with Enugu Air linking us to key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
It looks like 3 million visitors to Enugu by 2026 – with Nigeria’s first zipline, 4 immersive eco-tourist sites.
It looks like commuting in comfortable CNG buses at 5 world-class terminals; and having 260 Farm Estates that bring production to scale.
It looks like Hotel Presidential and Nigergas revamped; and several moribund assets roaring back to life.
Of course, it looks like winning the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Model Green State Award as the Cleanest State in Nigeria.
It looks like Enugu on the national – indeed global – map.
Ndi Enugu, Your trust and support have been the bedrock of our success, and we pledge to honour that by delivering on our election promises.
Our elder statesmen have also demonstrated generosity and foresight.
Many of you had witnessed decades of broken promises. When we approached you, we did not ask for blind loyalty but some faith in our vision.
You gave us that faith. Together, with your vote of confidence, we have achieved remarkable progress.
To my colleagues in the administration, I am grateful for your resilience. We have walked a path that often felt like a marathon without rest. Many of the ideas we put forward were dismissed as unrealistic. Yet you kept pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
Because of your dedication, today we hear applause for Enugu across Nigeria and beyond.
To the Peoples Democratic Party, which provided the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined in celebrating the victory.
For nearly 3 decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state.
Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult – even painful – decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.
Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress.
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