Shehu Sani Calls Mbah’s Defection to APC a Strategic Boost for South East

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has described Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic and welcome development for the South East, saying it would strengthen the region’s position in Nigeria’s mainstream political structure.

Speaking shortly after attending the United Africa Development Initiative Summit, Sani dismissed criticisms of Mbah’s decision, insisting that it should not be seen as betrayal but as a bold step to prevent the South East from political isolation at the federal level.

“Governor Mbah’s defection to the APC is a blessing to the South Eastern part of the country. It is a strategic decision that will factor the region into the mainstream political equation in Nigeria,” he said.

Sani also argued that accusations of betrayal were unfair, noting that members of other parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), had similarly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past.

“Why should LP and ADC members be angry with a PDP member who joined the APC when many of them also left the PDP earlier? Politics is about alignment and strategy, not sentiment,” he stated.

The former senator added that Mbah’s move opens new political opportunities for the South East, noting that it “raised the chances of the region rather than diminished them.”

Describing the defection metaphorically, Sani said:

“Mbah’s defection is like taking the goods of the South East to a bigger market where the action is.”

He urged political leaders and stakeholders in the South East to support the governor and leverage his new platform to push for greater inclusion, development, and representation at the national level.