Former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Barrister Eugene Odoh, has praised Governor Peter Mbah’s performance, describing it as exceptional and focused on long-term development.
In this interview, Odo speaks on Mbah’s achievements, his defection to the APC, the party’s growing strength in Enugu State, and concerns about internal divisions and opposition politics ahead of 2027.
Q: What is your assessment of Governor Peter Mbah’s performance so far?
Odo: The governor has done very well and should be trusted. Personally, I do not believe so much in political party sentiment; I focus more on individuals who operate within the party. If a criminal emerges from even the best party, it does not make him less of a criminal.
We believe the governor has performed remarkably well. Since the creation of Enugu State—and even across the South-East—no administration can boast of investing up to N1.5 billion in each ward. The smart school initiative is revolutionary. Each school, with its equipment, is valued at about N1.1 billion, while the Type-2 hospitals cost not less than N400 million each.
This is what we call even development. It will bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, which is a major cause of crisis in society. In the past, children from different backgrounds attended the same schools without discrimination. Today, public schools are stigmatized, and that gap must be bridged.
Most of the smart schools are already over 80 percent completed. What we are seeing is a paradigm shift—from politics of appeasement to developmental politics. People should be able to point to tangible projects in their wards.
What the governor has done is top-notch and unarguably the best that can secure the future of our children. We cannot continue to widen inequality; it will lead us nowhere.
Q: With Governor Mbah joining the APC, how would you assess the party’s strength in Enugu State today?
Odo: The governor’s defection from PDP to APC is in line with constitutional provisions. There are no restrictions preventing an executive from joining another political party. Even in the legislature, there are allowances, especially in cases of party division.
As you know, the PDP has experienced internal divisions, with different leadership blocs. That alone creates room for movement.
As for APC in Enugu State, we are very pleased. The party is getting stronger. Previously, we did not have a governor, but now we do, and that strengthens our position significantly.
The governor also played a key role in uniting factions within the APC by bringing them together under a caretaker committee structure that ensured inclusiveness across wards and local governments. This has given members a sense of belonging.
So, we see APC in Enugu as a party on the path to greater strength, not just in the South-East but nationally.
Q: Some members allege that APC in Enugu has been taken over by former PDP members. What is your response?
Odo: I would say that claim is unfortunate and does not reflect reality. There is nothing like an invasion. What we are seeing is the exercise of constitutional freedom of association.
If anything, the reverse may be the case. At the national level, key positions allocated to Enugu State are occupied by long-standing APC members, not former PDP members.
At the state level, yes, PDP members who joined us have numerical strength, so some positions were conceded to them. But this was done alongside contributions from old APC members and even those from the Labour Party.
Nobody swallowed the other. What we have done is blend together to build a stronger party.
Q: How can internal divisions be managed ahead of the 2027 elections?
Odo: During the caretaker period, we made conscious efforts to bridge gaps. There is no real crisis between old APC members and those who joined from PDP.
What you may see are individual political ambitions, which are natural in politics. Some people may explore alternatives if they feel disadvantaged, but that does not amount to a crisis.
There has been full accommodation across board. At the ward and local government levels, you will find representation from all groups—old APC, PDP, and Labour Party members.
Politics is about collaboration. You give what you have to get what you do not have.
Q: Do you agree with claims that Enugu is becoming a one-party state under Governor Mbah?
Odo: No, I do not agree. A governor’s defection cannot turn a state into a one-party system. The strength of opposition depends on how well they organize themselves.
Is it the governor that caused divisions within PDP or the Labour Party? Even newer parties are experiencing internal conflicts. These are internal issues, not the governor’s doing.
Opposition is vital in a democracy, especially when it is constructive. It keeps the government on its toes. But what we often see is opposition aimed at gaining entry into government, not opposing policies.
True opposition should be issue-based. When I was in opposition, I maintained my stance without seeking personal gain. That is what democracy requires.
So, what we have is not a one-party system. The real issue is that the opposition needs to be more organized and focused.
