Mr.Chijioke Edeoga, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State has disclosed that he rejoined his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the state governor, Mr. Peter Mbah was accommodating to all.
Edeoga who made the declaration at the Enugu State Secretariat of the PDP when he paid a visit to state chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, in company with some of his supporters expressed happiness over the transformation of the state as well as the open-door policy of Governor Peter Mbah.
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Speaking at the event, Edeoga said, “I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I deeply appreciate the governor of Enugu State, whose involvement made this possible. His approach to politics is setting a new precedent—one that fosters reconciliation and inclusivity.”
“This is a paradigm shift. It’s no longer about winner-takes-all. We are witnessing true political accommodation in Enugu State.”
Responding, the PDP State Chairman stated that the party under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah was determined to unite the people of the state to ensure that the state moves forward collectively.
According to the party Chairman, “Our number one mandate as state party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, made it clear that we must bring everyone together. Today’s event is a significant step in that direction. With this and more to come, the 2027 general elections will be a walkover for PDP in Enugu State.”
Also, the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, the home local government of Mr. Edeoga, Mr. Obiora Obeagu, welcomed Edeoga’s return, describing it as a milestone that reaffirms Governor Mbah’s leadership and development strides in the state.
Mr. Obeagu said, “From the outset, Governor Mbah demonstrated that governance comes first. Despite strong opposition from Isi-Uzo in 2023, he prioritized development projects for the area, including Smart Schools, healthcare centers, and major road networks.”
Edeoga was believed to have won the election in 2023 and had fought fervently in the courts until the Supreme Court affirmed Governor Peter Mbah as the authentic winner of the election.
Labour Party won several State House of Assembly seats as well as National Assembly seats including a Senate seat currently occupied by Senator Kelvin Chukwu.
Many of the state assembly members have since decamped to the PDP, while there have been speculations that other members of the National Assembly from Enugu State may follow suit.
The defection of Edeoga back to the PDP is already being seen as the death of the Labour Party in the state, especially with the interactable leadership crisis that has kept the party on “standstill.”
Recently, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, a close ally of the Mr, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party resigned from the party and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he is currently gunning for the governorship ticket of the party ahead of the November 2025 governorship election in the state. Mr. Ozigbo was the PDP governorship candidate in the last governorship election in the state.