Former Special Assistant on Media to ex–Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, has dismissed concerns that the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as “swimming against the tide.”
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Sani said Mbah’s exit would have little impact on the PDP, stressing that the party remains strong despite ongoing challenges.
“I can assure you that the defection of Mbah to the APC will not rattle the PDP because he is swimming against the tide,” Sani said.
He denied claims of a deep internal crisis within the party, insisting that the current challenges are “externally induced.” According to him, “The PDP is not shaken or even bothered by these induced crises. It’s the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau. What is happening within the party is being orchestrated from outside using internal elements to create confusion.”
Sani acknowledged that while leadership issues exist at the national level, the party remains deeply rooted in many states, especially Enugu, where he said the PDP’s influence remains intact.
“The party is not domiciled in its headquarters. We only have leadership issues, not structural problems within the states. Enugu State, from 1999 till date, has always been a PDP state,” he added.
