Sani argued that the move would strengthen the region’s standing in Nigeria’s mainstream political structure.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has described the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic and welcome development for the South East region.
He made this known recently while speaking with journalists shortly after attending the United Africa Development Initiative Summit.
Reacting to public criticisms that greeted the governor’s decision, Sani said it shouldn’t be seen as an act of betrayal but as a bold step to rescue the South East from political isolation and irrelevance at the federal level.
He further argued that the move would strengthen the zone’s position in Nigeria’s mainstream political structure.
He said, “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.”
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The former Kaduna senator further noted that those accusing the governor of betrayal were being unfair, adding that members of the Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) had also defected from the 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.
Sani also maintained that Mbah’s defection would open new political opportunities for the South East, saying it had “raised the chances of the region rather than diminished them.”
Describing the move metaphorically, he added: “Mbah’s defection is like taking the goods of the South East to a bigger market where the action is.”
He, therefore, urged political leaders and stakeholders in the region to rally around the governor and use his new platform to push for greater inclusion, development, and representation at the national level.
