By Dr. Buchi Nnaji

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State is not defeated - it is deliberately repositioning to reclaim Lion Building. In politics, storms are inevitable, but only weak institutions disappear in them. Strong parties regroup, recalibrate, and return with greater clarity of purpose. Despite internal challenges at the national level and the recent defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP in Enugu remains standing, rooted in enduring structures, sustained by loyal members, and driven by a renewed determination to reclaim its historic leadership role in the state.

The defection of Governor Mbah was undeniably a heavy blow. It altered the political balance and, for the first time in many years, pushed the PDP into opposition in Enugu State. The development unsettled confidence, particularly at the grassroots where governance had long been synonymous with the PDP brand. Yet, the response of party faithful revealed a deeper truth: despite pressure, inducements, and the uncertainty that accompanies a shift in power, the majority of PDP members refused to defect. They stayed. They held the line. That collective decision speaks volumes about the resilience of the party.

Opposition, however, is not extinction. Properly understood, it is renewal. Many of the world’s strongest political parties discovered their most authentic voices outside government. Opposition compels introspection, discipline, and reconnection with the people. For the PDP in Enugu, this phase offers a rare opportunity to shed complacency, rebuild trust from ward to ward, and remind Ndi Enugu why the party once commanded overwhelming loyalty across the state.

Recent national developments have also injected renewed confidence into the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to invite only the Wike-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP to a crucial stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, 5th February, 2026, has been widely interpreted as tacit institutional recognition of that leadership. Coming on the heels of the Ibadan court judgment that nullified the Makinde-led convention of November last year, the development has helped restore clarity at the national level. For party members in Enugu who had felt trapped in the fog of internal rivalries, this clarity is a morale booster. Political organisations thrive on certainty; uncertainty breeds apathy, while clarity fuels action.

At the state level, leadership has been equally decisive. Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani (Odera), widely acknowledged as the leader of the PDP in Enugu State, has embarked on a deliberate process of consultation and mobilisation. Through sustained engagement with party elders, stakeholders, and grassroots leaders across the state, he has continued to articulate the urgent need to reactivate the PDP and return it to its enviable position as Enugu’s dominant political force. These consultations are not cosmetic; they are laying the groundwork for unity, discipline, and strategic rebuilding.

It bears repeating: Enugu PDP is not defeated; it is reorganising. The party’s strength has never rested solely on who occupies Government House. It has always been anchored in communities - through respected elders, committed youth and women leaders, and a political culture that values consultation over imposition. These structures did not defect. They remain intact, waiting to be fully re-energised.

Equally instructive is the reception of the APC in the state. The party’s poor performance in its just concluded membership registration exercise across Enugu State is a telling indicator. It underscores a political reality that cannot be ignored: the APC has yet to win the confidence of Ndi Enugu at the grassroots. Rather than a wholesale embrace of the new ruling party, what is evident is a gradual return to familiar political ground. The people are rebuilding their traditional political home - the PDP, quietly, patiently, and deliberately.

Those calling for mass defection to the APC misunderstand the political soul of Enugu. This is a state with a long memory. Voters here distinguish between individuals and institutions. They understand that political tides shift and that today’s ruling party can become tomorrow’s opposition. What endures is credibility, consistency, and a demonstrated commitment to the people’s welfare. The PDP’s legacy in Enugu - from infrastructure development to social investment and inclusive governance still resonates deeply. That record cannot be erased by a single political realignment.

This moment therefore demands unity of purpose from Enugu PDP leaders. Factionalism at the state level would be a costly distraction. The lesson from recent national events is not triumphalism, but respect for due process and internal democracy. The emerging clarity should serve as a reset button - an opportunity to reconcile, rebuild consensus, and present a united front to the electorate.

Messaging will also be critical. The PDP must speak directly to the lived realities of Ndi Enugu. Opposition should translate into constructive scrutiny, not obstruction for its own sake. Where the APC-led government performs well, acknowledgment is appropriate; where it falls short, the PDP must offer clear, practical alternatives. Nigerians are weary of political noise. What they seek are solutions.

The youth and women of Enugu remain central to this rebuilding process. The state’s young population is politically alert, digitally connected, and increasingly issue-driven. Women continue to be the backbone of grassroots mobilisation. Re-engaging these constituencies with sincerity and inclusion will strengthen the PDP’s organisational and moral capital.

Above all, the PDP must resist despair. Politics is cyclical. Power is never permanent, but relevance is earned daily. By remaining organised, principled, and people-focused, the PDP in Enugu can transform this setback into a comeback.