ABUJA — The political rise of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being described by insiders as an “unprecedented takeover.”
In less than seven months since his high-profile move from the PDP, Mbah has moved from the sidelines to the very centre of a leadership struggle for the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
A Calculated Takeover
Mbah’s entry into the APC on October 14, 2025, was a masterclass in political displacement.
By bringing his entire cabinet and 80% of the state’s PDP executive structure with him, he didn’t just join the party—he imported a ready-made power base.
This rapid consolidation earned him immediate favor with the Presidency, with Vice President Kashim Shettima describing Mbah as the “new face of APC in the South-East.”
The Wike-Mbah Alliance
Mbah’s meteoric ascent is inextricably linked to the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Analysts suggest that Mbah serves as a strategic “technocratic” ally for the Wike-aligned faction within the party. The reports of 20 governors selecting Mbah to replace Senator Hope Uzodimma as PGF Chairman—though officially denied—reveal a coordinated effort to install a leadership more loyal to the “newcomer” faction than the “legacy” wing of the party.
Challenging the Old Guard
For years, Hope Uzodimma has been the undisputed leader of the APC in the South-East. Mbah’s sudden rise has shattered that monopoly.
By positioning himself as a modern, performance-driven governor, Mbah has attracted the support of fellow governors who are eager to pivot the party’s strategy toward the 2027 elections.
As the APC struggles with internal “something cooking” headlines, Peter Mbah has emerged as the most visible sign that the party’s power structure is being rebuilt from the inside out.
