Vice-President Kashim Shettima has announced that Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, is now the new leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following his defection to the ruling party on Tuesday.
Shettima made the declaration during Mbah’s official welcome ceremony into the APC held at Okpara Square, Enugu.
“As for the APC convention and constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in the state,” the vice-president said.
“Your Excellency, you are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu state. I am the vice-president, but the leader of the APC in Borno is Governor Babagana Zulum.
“The president of the senate is the number three citizen, but the leader of the party in Akwa Ibom is Governor Umo Eno.
“The speaker of the house of representatives is the number four citizen, but the leader of the party in Kaduna is the governor of Kaduna state.”
Shettima went on to describe the Igbo as “the Nigerian Jews”, noting their mobility, economic drive, and educational pursuit.
He decried the political sidelining of the south-east for over a decade and called for improved inclusion under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“For the past 12 years, the Ndigbo, one of the most vibrant ethnic groups in Africa, had been on the margin of Nigerian politics,” he said.
“But with the coming of Mbah and the continuous energy being exhibited by governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe the Ndigbo have come to the mainstream of Nigeria.”
Shettima described President Tinubu as a “leader for all citizens”, adding that his commitment to merit and inclusion has reinforced the APC as “the most formidable political party in Africa”.
He said Mbah’s move to the APC was expected.
“You are a progressive. I am convinced that you had a broom hidden in your umbrella all these years, waiting for the right moment to bring it out,” Shettima said.
“We are one family tied to a common destiny. I want to assure all of you that you are very much welcome to the APC, and we are one big family.
“Rest assured that you will be treated justly and fairly, and all the developmental initiatives that have been planned for will certainly reach the south-east.”
The vice-president also applauded APC governors and party stakeholders in the region for their efforts in expanding the party’s influence in the south-east.
Earlier, Mbah described his entry into the APC as a deliberate step to achieve fair representation and advance the interests of his state and the region.
He commended President Tinubu’s leadership style, calling him a visionary leader dedicated to national development and someone who recognises the south-east as an essential contributor to Nigeria’s growth.