Former spokesman to ex–Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, has taken a swipe at Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, alleging that he did not genuinely win the 2023 governorship election.
Sani made the claim while reacting to Mbah’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the PDP stalwart said the party remains firm and unshaken despite the series of defections rocking its ranks.
“What is happening within the PDP is being orchestrated by fifth columnists,” Sani said.
He argued that Mbah’s move to the APC would have little or no effect on the PDP.
“Mbah’s defection will not rattle the PDP because he is swimming against the tide. In fact, he did not even win the election,” he added.
During his defection speech, Governor Mbah said his decision to join the APC stemmed from his desire to advance the state’s interests through a platform that offers greater collaboration and growth opportunities.
Mbah said his choice was a “visionary partnership” aimed at bringing transformative change to both Enugu State and the nation.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mbah winner of the 2023 Enugu governorship election with 160,895 votes, defeating Labour Party’s Chijioke Edeoga, who scored 157,552 votes — a slim margin of about 3,300 votes.
Edeoga’s camp, however, rejected the outcome, accusing the tribunal of overlooking evidence of electoral fraud and irregularities, particularly in Nkanu East Local Government Area, where over-voting was alleged.
