A forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 House of Assembly candidates in Enugu State has appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling APC.

In a letter to the governor dated August 11 and released on Monday, the group’s coordinator, Mr. Godwin Onwusi who contested the Udi North State Constituency seat in the last election argued that remaining in the opposition had done more harm than good to the state. He said Enugu would benefit more from President Bola Tinubu’s administration if Mbah joined the APC.

Titled “Request/Appeal for You to Hook Enugu State to the National Grid of Politics by Joining Our Great Party, the All Progressives Congress,” the letter stated that the governor’s membership would strengthen the APC’s chances in future elections and make it easier to attract federal benefits.

“With all humility and respect, we, the undersigned APC, Enugu State, House of Assembly candidates during the 2023 general elections hereby appeal to you to favourably consider joining our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” the letter read in part.

The group praised Mbah’s “visionary leadership” and “development-oriented policies,” saying they align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It also commended what it described as the “quantum and unprecedented developmental strides” achieved in less than two years.

The appeal marks a renewed push for Mbah’s defection from the PDP. In June, the governor dismissed reports of plans to join the APC, telling members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu, “I am still in the PDP; as you can see, the flag behind me is that of the PDP.”