Ex-Enugu Assembly members endorse Gov Mbah for second term

The members of the Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly have endorsed Governor Peter Mbah for a second term in office. The endorsement was contained in a statement the group made available to the press, on Sunday. Chairman of the forum and former spokesman of President Bola Tinubu in the south […]

The members of the Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly have endorsed Governor Peter Mbah for a second term in office.

The endorsement was contained in a statement the group made available to the press, on Sunday.

Chairman of the forum and former spokesman of President Bola Tinubu in the south east, Denge Josef Onoh, together with other members of the forum such as Hon. Emeka Madu and Hon. Johnny Obidinma endorsed the statement.

They stated that their decision was anchored on two fundamental pillars: the verifiable and outstanding achievements of Governor Mbah’s administration, and based on the principles of equity, fairness, and justice which they said have sustained political harmony in Enugu State since the return to democracy in 1999.

On the performance front, the group notes that Governor Mbah has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, with his administration recording remarkable progress in key sectors, such as aggressive infrastructure renewal, with over 1,000 kilometers of urban, rural, and intercity roads constructed, rehabilitated, or under active construction within a short period.

They also enumerated Mbah’s bold economic engineering aimed at growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years, through investments in industrialization, export-focused agriculture (including 100,000 hectares of land per senatorial zone for cash crops); improved transportation (such as CNG buses and modern terminals), and revival of moribund assets.

Equally included in the Governor’s strides include his transformative initiatives in water supply, security, education, health, waste management, power, judiciary, and human capital development; positioning Enugu as an emerging premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.

“These tangible dividends of democracy have not only improved the quality of life for Ndi Enugu but have also laid a solid foundation for sustainable prosperity,” the group said.

The forum of former state lawmakers further notes that beyond the notable accomplishments of Governor Mbah, it’s endorsement is profoundly driven by the need to uphold “equity and fairness” above narrow political gains or personal ambitions, adding that since 1999, Enugu State has enjoyed relative political stability through a widely respected zoning arrangement that ensures rotational justice among the three senatorial zones.

It gave the chronology of state zoning system since 1999, starting with Enugu East zone that produced Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who served two full terms (1999–2007); Enugu West produced Barr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, who completed two full terms (2007–2015) and Enugu North produced Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who also served two full terms (2015–2023).

“It is now back to Enugu East, the zone that produced Governor Peter Mbah. Equity and fairness demand that he be allowed to complete his second term, just as his predecessors from the other zones were permitted to do without undue disruption.

“To allow any other aspirant from Enugu East to contest against Governor Mbah would destabilize this peaceful understanding that has endured for over two decades. Such a contest would inevitably lead to an aspiration for another second term by the new governor, resulting in severe political disenfranchisement.”

The former lawmakers said that Enugu West Senatorial district would be denied the governorship for an additional 12 years, and Enugu North for up to 20 years, before they could produce another governor if the peaceful zoning arrangement is jeopardized with and would fracture the equity that has fostered peace and unity in our state.

“This Forum therefore calls on all stakeholders across the three zones — including all former Local Government Councilors, all former National Assembly members from Enugu State, and all serving members of the Enugu State House of Assembly — to rally in support of Governor Peter Mbah’s second term bid and ensure he completes his tenure for the greater good of Enugu State.

“We firmly resolve not to support any other candidate wishing to contest against Governor Mbah from the same zone (Enugu East), as this would undermine the political balance, harmony, and mutual respect that have defined governance in Enugu State since 1999.

“Several states in Nigeria have suffered the consequences of single-term tenures or disrupted zoning/rotational arrangements, leading to prolonged instability, heightened political tensions, frequent leadership turnover, and delayed development. Examples of such states are abound in many states in Nigeria where interrupted or single terms contributed to governance inconsistencies and heightened rivalries.

“Enugu State must not follow this path. We must preserve our enviable record of stability through equity. In Peter Mbah we stand — for performance, for equity, for fairness, and for the continued peace and progress of Enugu State,” the group stated.