Ahead of the reported defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), tension has gripped the political space in both states.
Newspapers have reported that Mbah and Diri, who were elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are said to have concluded plans to join the APC, with the move initially billed for October 14.
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The planned defection of Governor Mbah has triggered a crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the APC.
In preparation for his entry, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, last Thursday, dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee (SWC) and appointed a caretaker committee led by Ben Nwoye.
But the move has deepened division as the sacked SWC has rejected its dissolution, insisting it remains in charge of the party in the state.
While the Nwoye-led committee is poised to receive Governor Mbah into the APC fold, the ousted leadership has continued to kick against the development, throwing the party into fresh turmoil.
In Bayelsa, the news of Governor Diri’s impending defection has stirred mixed reactions among stakeholders.
Some supporters defended the move, arguing that aligning with the APC-led federal government would attract greater patronage and development to the oil-rich state.
Others, however, dismissed it as self-serving, questioning what difference it would make in a state that has been dominated by the PDP for 26 years, including 16 years when the party held sway at the federal level.
A source close to the Bayelsa Government House confirmed that Governor Diri’s defection was certain, but cast doubt on the October 14 date circulating in the media.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Yes, the governor is leaving the PDP but the October 14 date reported in the media is what I cannot guarantee. He has told us he’s leaving and as a leader, ours is to follow him. He will personally make his decision public soon.”