By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, appears to be losing ground already in his push for reelection.

It was gathered that a core support group, The Pinnacle Movement, which stood firmly behind the governor during the 2023 general election, has ditched the governor, embracing 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Secretary of the group, Mr John Ikemefuna, alleged that the group was abandoned by Governor Mba since assuming office.

Ikemefuna, claimed that the decision to switch allegiance was a resolution of the movement’s zonal, local government and ward executives after their meeting in Enugu.

According to the secretary, apart from the executive’s resolution not to support the reelection of Gov. Mba in 2027, it has also resolved that the name of the group would change from Pinnacle Movement to the Arise and Shine Movement in line with the motto of ADC.

Other resolutions of the executive, according to the secretary, include that henceforth, its principal would become Mr Peter Obi, adding that it would support all candidates of ADC in Enugu State.

It however, permitted any member of the movement who wishes to remain in Mba’s camp to do so, but not through the official support of Pinnacle Movement.

The secretary recalled that the group mobilised men and material resources across the 260 wards of the state during the last general elections, noting that there was never any official meeting with Gov Mbah or his agents.

He added that no member of Pinnacle Movement nor her agents collected financial assistance from Mbah or any other candidates of PDP during the campaign in 2023, stressing that everything the group did was individual and group efforts.

Ikemefuna further said that while the group remained with Gov. Mba, the governor didn’t deem it proper to inform them of his plan to leave the PDP, nor invite them to join him in the new party.

“This ill-treatment from Gov Mbah might be because he does not have faith in free and fair elections, or possibly that he does not need us to win the next elections. We encourage all our genuine members to demonstrate this disappointment by registering with ADC,” he admonished.

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