2027: Enugu East Adopts Gov. Mbah as Sole Candidate, Says Contesting Against Him is a Waste of Money

Leaders and stakeholders of Enugu East Senatorial District, cutting across political parties and interest groups, have unanimously endorsed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as their sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The adoption was contained in a communiqué titled “One Good Turn Deserves Another” issued at the end of a town hall meeting held on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. The leaders declared that their support for Mbah transcends party lines and that they would back him on any platform.

“In endorsing him, we want to state that we are blind to party affiliation. In the face of Nigeria’s fluid party politics, our political party is Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a performing Governor, who has shown that he not only has what it takes to turn Enugu State around, but also to take it to the pinnacle of glory where our founding fathers dreamt of,” the communiqué read.

The motion for Mbah’s adoption was moved by the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, who likened his decision to a biblical conversion.

“We know the story in the Bible about Saul and Paul. Saul was using all his might to fight the disciples of Jesus Christ. On his way to Damascus he met with the Holy Spirit and his eyes opened. He converted and became the most impactful follower of Jesus Christ.

So I, as Chijioke Edeoga, am that Saul in the Bible. I am promising that I will be that Paul in the Bible. I will devote everything within me to ensure he returns for the second tenure. I am moving a motion that the leadership of Enugu East Senatorial Zone have decided that Peter Mbah will be our sole candidate for 2027.”

The motion was seconded by former APC state chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who stressed that the endorsement was about Mbah’s performance, not party affiliation.

Delivering the communiqué at the close of the meeting, veteran politician Deacon Ogbodo stated:

“Following a far-reaching discourse where our people — thought leaders, political leaders, professionals, youth leaders, women leaders, traditional rulers, Presidents-General of town unions, leaders of market associations, trade union leaders, among others – openly and freely aired their views, the people of Enugu East Senatorial District unequivocally endorse Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for a second term in office come 2027.

If he has done these great works in repositioning Enugu State in just two years, it is only left to imagination what the state would look like at the end of eight years of his administration.”

He added that many in the zone believe Mbah is delivering the kind of transformational leadership last witnessed during the era of Dr. Michael Okpara.

Former Deputy Governor, Dr. Sunday Onyebuchi, went further to warn other aspirants not to waste resources challenging Mbah.

“Any politician running against Mbah in 2027 would be wasting his money, unless he or she just wants to have the title of former governorship candidate added to his name,” Onyebuchi said.

The leaders also called on other senatorial zones to reciprocate the political goodwill of Enugu East, recalling that the zone did not field a governorship candidate in 2007 and 2011 when Enugu West held the seat through Barr. Sullivan Chime, and in 2015 and 2019 when Enugu North produced Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Highlighting Governor Mbah’s achievements, the communiqué listed:

• Security: radical improvement through heavy investment.
• Education: allocation of 33% of the state’s annual budget to construct 260 Smart Green Schools across all wards.
• Healthcare: construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres with staff quarters.
• Transport: launch of Enugu Air, five modern transport terminals, 100 CNG buses, and efforts to complete the Akanu Ibiam International Airport terminal and a cargo hub.
• Infrastructure: nearly 1,000km of roads completed or ongoing, completion of the International Conference Centre, ongoing construction of a 5-star ICC Hotel, and the Enugu International Hospital.
• Agriculture & Assets: revival of moribund state assets and key agricultural interventions.

The leaders concluded that with such progress in just two years, Mbah deserves another term to consolidate his vision and achievements.