Enugu PDP, once unshakable in the South-East, is now battling internal rifts under Governor Peter Mbah.
Party members accuse him of sidelining structures, sparking fears of collapse before the 2027 elections.
Enugu State, long considered the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East, is now facing an internal crisis that threatens to dismantle more than two decades of dominance.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the PDP has consistently held sway in the state, producing four consecutive governors. The party maintained its grip even after losing power nationally in 2015, largely due to former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s inclusive style of governance and loyalty to party organs.
Today, however, tensions are rising under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership. Critics within the party accuse him of sidelining existing structures and running a fractured PDP that narrowly held on during the 2023 governorship election against the Labour Party.
Sources say party executives at ward, local, and state levels have become frustrated over unpaid allowances and lack of engagement. According to one senior member, the governor appears uninterested in party activities, a stance that has weakened the unity once associated with Enugu PDP.
The discord has spilled into the national scene, with reports that Mbah disagrees with the PDP’s National Executive Committee over its recognition of Sam Anyanwu as National Secretary, instead of his preferred candidate, Hon. Sunday Ude Okoye. His absence from recent national meetings has further fueled speculation of estrangement and even possible defection.
Insiders revealed that the party is weighing disciplinary measures against the governor, with some leaders warning that his actions pose a serious danger to the PDP’s survival in the state. Yet, others believe his possible exit could create an opportunity to rebuild. As one party figure put it, the governor leaving might open the door for a more inclusive leader to reposition the party.
For a political platform once defined by stability, the current disunity paints a grim picture. With 2027 approaching, questions remain about whether the PDP in Enugu can restore cohesion or continue its slide into decline.
