The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State stated on Tuesday that, despite Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party remains strong and united.

State Chairman of the party, Steve Oruruo, expressed confidence that the party would bounce back stronger and more united than ever, despite current challenges.

“The PDP is still standing very strong in Enugu State, despite the defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the APC,” he said.

Oruruo, a former deputy chairman of the party in the state, who took over following the resignation and defection of the state chairman, disclosed that the party is already looking ahead to the 2027 elections and would field a strong candidate to challenge the APC.

“We will field a strong candidate come 2027 who will challenge the APC,” he said, adding that the party is confident in its ability to win back the state.

The PDP chairman acknowledged that there are still minor issues within the party in the state, but assured that the party has the mechanism to resolve any issues that may arise quickly.

Oruruo also stated that the party would not be challenging the defection of Governor Mbah in court.

“There has never been a victory by a person who has challenged defectors. The party is focused on building its strength and preparing for future elections”, he added.

Oruruo expressed confidence that the party is stronger now than ever before. “The party is even stronger now than ever before,” he said, adding that the party’s strength lies in its unity and commitment to its principles.

Meanwhile, Mbah has insisted that his defection from the PDP to the APC was not driven by personal ambition but by the need to serve the people of Enugu more effectively through a stronger political platform.

“What we have done in Enugu is to elevate service beyond politics,” Mbah said. “Our allegiance is not to the colour or logo of a flag. It is to the people of Enugu who entrusted us with their mandate to serve them. We are carrying that trust to a stronger platform where we can best serve them.”

He dismissed suggestions that his defection was motivated by personal gain, stating, “If it were about my ambition, I would have stayed with the familiar. But this is about principle, not personality. It is about fairness, accountability, and service.”

The governor said the decision was also informed by what he described as the growing political fragmentation in the South-East, which he believes has weakened the region’s relevance at the national level.

“In the last ten years, the South-East has been completely displaced in national politics,” Mbah said. “We have never been so fragmented. How do you explain five states in one region belonging to four different political parties? We must rise above emotion and think strategically about the collective interest of Ndigbo.”