The recent decision by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has drawn fierce criticism, with Professor Udenta Udenta, the founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), labeling the move a profound “desecration of public trust.” Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Professor Udenta argued that the governor’s action transcends mere political maneuvering, representing a significant moral and cultural failing that warrants deep reflection across the South-East region.
Udenta’s critique centers on the fundamental concept of democratic representation, stressing that the mandate for power belongs squarely to the political party, not the individual officeholder. “Individuals are anonymous; mandates are given to political parties, not to individuals,” the professor insisted, positioning the party as the true “symbol of power.” He pointed out that millions of citizens vote for a party platform, meaning the PDP, not Peter Mbah as an individual, secured the victory in Enugu State. According to Udenta, the governor merely held that mandate in trust for the people, a trust that was “desacralised” by the abrupt defection.
The former AD chieftain did not mince words, describing Governor Mbah’s embrace of the APC as “almost an abominable act.” He cautioned that Nigerians, and specifically the people of the South-East, must carefully consider the kind of democratic tradition and culture being fostered by such behavior. “Yesterday was not a political surrender for the South-East; it was a cultural surrender because you must understand that there are some moral boundaries you don’t cross in politics,” he asserted, urging the media to play a crucial role in highlighting these ethical breaches.
Udenta further warned against the gradual “normalisation” of unethical political conduct. While acknowledging that constitutional provisions might not render such defections technically illegal, he stressed that they remain “clearly unsavory and unethical conduct” on the part of the political class. He maintained that a robust, inclusive model of party democracy cannot thrive when public officials engage in what he views as a fundamental betrayal of the electoral covenant.
Governor Mbah officially announced his defection during a Tuesday statewide broadcast, defending the dramatic change in political allegiance as a necessary step to align Enugu State more closely with the central government. “There comes always a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny,” Mbah stated, adding that the move to the APC followed “a long reflection.”
