…. Pledge Support for APC Candidates in Enugu

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have received a major political endorsement ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a declaration of support by a coalition of non-indigenes and other residents under the aegis of Nwanne Di Na Mba Grand Assembly.

The group, which has renowned Anambra-born businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, as its Grand Patron, made the declaration on Friday during a solidarity rally at Okpara Square, Enugu, where members drawn from different ethnic and religious backgrounds pledged to mobilise votes for Mbah, Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections.

The rally, which attracted several political leaders, government functionaries and community representatives, was also used by the organisers to demonstrate their support for what they described as the inclusive governance and development initiatives of the Mbah administration.

Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah described the massive turnout as a demonstration of democratic participation and political solidarity, expressing appreciation to the group for publicly identifying with his administration and the Federal Government.

He said the gathering reflected the willingness of residents from different parts of the country to support the continuation of ongoing development programmes in Enugu State and the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.

The governor attributed some of the development strides recorded by his administration to the economic reforms of the Federal Government, arguing that increased financial resources available to state governments had created opportunities for accelerated infrastructure development and social investment.

According to him, his administration had translated those opportunities into tangible projects, particularly in education, healthcare and road infrastructure.

“Because you believe in what you can see, what you can touch and what you can feel. Can you see the Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres? Can you see the good roads? Do you drive on them? Now you can drive on smooth roads, send your children to high-quality schools and access affordable healthcare,” Mbah said.

He identified the establishment of 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres and 268 Smart Green Schools as major components of his administration’s development agenda, noting that the projects were designed to improve access to essential public services across the state.

Mbah further highlighted emerging economic opportunities in the South-East, including the establishment of the South East Development Commission, the proposed regional gas pipeline network and the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

He said the initiatives, when fully realised, would strengthen regional connectivity, promote industrialisation, expand trade and improve cargo operations and international business opportunities.

The governor urged residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 elections, calling for support for Tinubu and all APC candidates.

He assured the people that his administration would sustain its development programmes, promising that more projects and opportunities would be delivered.

“With the strength I see here today, with the energy and resolve you have demonstrated, we are committing to do more. What you should expect is more,” he said.

In his remarks, the Grand Patron of the assembly, Prince Arthur Eze, described Mbah as a leader who maintained positive relationships across political, ethnic and social divides.

Eze said the governor’s support for Tinubu and the confidence he said the President had reposed in Mbah informed the group’s decision to endorse both leaders for another term.

“Peter Mbah is supporting Tinubu very well, and we will support him because he will bring a lot to Ndi Igbo through Tinubu, because Tinubu trusts him very well. We cannot abandon him because he never abandoned anyone,” Eze said.

He urged residents to support both leaders in the forthcoming elections, expressing the group’s expectation that continued cooperation between the state and Federal Government would create further opportunities for the people.

Also speaking, the Sarkin Hausawa, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, said the rally was organised to appreciate the Mbah administration for what he described as its inclusive governance and recognition of non-indigenes living in Enugu.

Sambo, speaking on behalf of Hausa, Yoruba, Tiv and other ethnic communities, said residents from different backgrounds had benefited from government programmes in education, healthcare, infrastructure and political appointments.

He noted that children from non-indigene communities had access to the Smart Green Schools, while their mothers and other residents benefited from the Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres.

“We are happy with your governance and the way you have been carrying us along in Enugu State. We are part of all the programmes going on in the state,” he said

He pledged the group’s commitment to mobilising support for Mbah, Tinubu and APC candidates across all elective positions, from the presidency to the State House of Assembly.

Sambo added that the rally was also intended to demonstrate the mobilisation capacity of the various ethnic communities ahead of the planned visit of President Tinubu to Enugu State.

Earlier, the Convener of the group and Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Barr. Uche Anya, described the rally as the beginning of a broader mobilisation campaign by non-indigenes and residents of urban communities in support of the governor’s second-term ambition.

Anya said the communities appreciated the administration’s development initiatives and were determined to support the continuation of projects they considered beneficial to residents.

He disclosed that non-indigenes in the municipality had mandated him to communicate their resolve to support Mbah and Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

According to him, the communities were also committed to voting for APC candidates across the various elective positions, citing the Federal Government’s support for Enugu State and what he described as Tinubu’s role in strengthening the state’s participation in national politics.

“The non-indigenes in the municipality promise that the mistakes of 2023 will never happen again. They will vote President Tinubu for his good works, for integrating Enugu into the mainstream of Nigerian politics and for believing in you,” Anya said.