Enugu State, once regarded as the unshakable home base of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East, is witnessing an unprecedented crisis that threatens to undo over two decades of political dominance.
Since 1999, the PDP has produced four successive governors in the state, sustained by internal unity, tactful leadership, and consistent support for party structures. Even when the PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015, then-Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi maintained the party’s stronghold in Enugu through his inclusive leadership style and loyalty to party organs.
However, the current administration of Governor Peter Mbah has been accused of neglecting party structures and presiding over a disoriented PDP that barely survived the 2023 governorship election against the Labour Party.
Investigations reveal that party executives from the ward to the state level have been left frustrated, with reports of unpaid stipends and a lack of support from the governor. “The governor shows little or no interest in party affairs,” a PDP chieftain lamented, adding that the disconnection has eroded the cohesion that once defined Enugu PDP.
The rift has extended to the national level, where Mbah is reportedly at loggerheads with the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) over its recognition of Sam Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, instead of his preferred candidate, Hon. Sunday Ude Okoye. His absence from recent PDP national gatherings has further fueled speculations of disaffection and possible defection.
Party insiders told reporters that the PDP is considering disciplinary measures against the governor, describing his conduct as “a grave threat to the survival of the party in Enugu.”
Yet, some members believe a potential defection by Mbah may serve as a blessing in disguise, giving room to reclaim and reorganize the PDP in Enugu. “The governor’s exit may be the only chance to reposition the party with a leader who will carry members along,” one source said.
For a party once defined by unbroken unity, the current state of “raucous disarray” has left many lamenting the solemn reality of a house divided, raising questions about the future of PDP in Enugu ahead of 2027.
