Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has reportedly begun active outreach to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, urging him to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kalu’s overtures reflect a broader effort by the APC to expand its political footprint in the South-East and build a more competitive coalition across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Sources familiar with the conversation say Kalu highlighted what he described as mutual benefits of aligning with the federal ruling party, particularly in terms of federal support for state projects, governance synergy and political influence at the national level. While Governor Mbah has not publicly responded to the overture, political analysts note that such wooing signals intense pre-election positioning among Nigeria’s elite ahead of a fiercely contested national poll year.
The Deputy Speaker’s outreach comes amid a rising trend of high-profile defections and cross-party negotiations, which have seen several PDP stalwarts switch allegiance or rethink strategic partnerships. Political watchers say the APC’s push in traditionally PDP-leaning states underscores a broader ambition to build a pan-Nigeria support base rather than one anchored solely in party strongholds.
Should Governor Mbah eventually opt to join the APC, observers say it would reshape the political landscape in the South-East, potentially altering alliance dynamics ahead of key national campaigns. However, critics argue that such high-profile entreaties can erode internal party cohesion and fuel intra-party tensions as state and national actors jockey for advantage.
