The people of Enugu East Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as their sole governorship candidate for the 2027 election, citing what they described as his “trailblazing performance” in just over two years in office.

The endorsement was sealed in a communiqué issued at the end of a town hall meeting of leaders of thought and people of the zone held on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

The communiqué, titled “One good term deserves another”, stated that the gathering, which cut across political, professional and community divides, was convened to appraise the governor’s performance in the last 27 months.

According to the resolution: “The good people of Enugu East Senatorial District, having reflected on the performance of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in the last 27 months, express total satisfaction with his government. He has not only kept his campaign promises to Ndi Enugu, but has equally surpassed expectations. We are indeed proud that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah stands tall as the rave of the moment by every sector and indicator, as far as sub-national governance in Nigeria today is concerned.”

The communiqué highlighted achievements in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. It commended the establishment of a state-wide Command and Control Centre, the construction of smart schools and health centres in all 260 political wards, the rehabilitation of critical industries, and ongoing major road projects. It also praised the governor’s efforts in aviation, transport and tourism, describing them as “unprecedented in the history of the state.”

It added: “Given Governor Peter Mbah’s trailblazing performance, we are convinced that he is leading Enugu State on the path of development never witnessed before. We have prayed for a day like this since the end of Dr. Michael Okpara’s era. Today, we can state unequivocally that God has answered our prayers in the person of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.”

The communiqué concluded with a firm endorsement of the governor’s re-election bid, declaring: “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.”

It further called on other senatorial districts to reciprocate the zone’s support in past elections, noting that Enugu East had refrained from contesting the governorship in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 in respect of the state’s zoning arrangement.

The endorsement was set in motion when former Labour Party governorship candidate and now PDP stalwart, Chijioke Edeoga, dramatically compared his political conversion to that of the biblical Saul to Paul.

Edeoga declared: “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. Everyone has agreed that Peter Mbah will support Peter Mbah. I am moving a motion that the leadership of Enugu East Senatorial Zone has decided that Peter Mbah will be our sole candidate for the 2027.”

The motion was seconded by former APC chairman in Enugu State, Ben Nwoye.

He said: “I am on behalf of the leaders of APC begging Peter Mbah to come over to APC. I am begging you to help me tell Peter Mbah to come over to the APC. Don’t mind what anybody is saying. Peter Mbah is welcome to APC. I hereby second the motion that Peter Mbah should be adopted as the sole governorship candidate of Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Steve Oruruo, said that, “It is salient to know that in the history of Enugu State, any time someone from this senatorial zone comes to power, there is always a sharp contrast with others. It happened when Chimaroke was in power. The same is being repeated under Peter Mbah who came at a time when there is trust deficit between the leaders and the led.

“We are challenged to follow a man who knows what he is doing. We have no reason not to follow him. The party has also resolved to follow him wherever he goes. The people of Enugu State have resolved to follow him.”

Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Johnson Ani, added: “Governor Peter Mbah is a game changer. Other people in the state are saying it and we can see it… we all in the House of Assembly are behind the governor and we will support him come 2027.”

Chairman of Nkanu East LGA and ALGON in Enugu, Sydney Edeh, said that the six council chairmen were fully aligned with the resolution

“We are here as the six council chairmen representing the LGAs in Enugu East. We are saying that we receive our allocation 100 per cent. No one touches our money.

“We have agreed that it is our duty to ensure that come 2027, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah will be re-elected. We have no reason to do otherwise. If you look at what he has done already, you can imagine what he will do after two tenures.

“Come 2027, we will all come out to ensure that no one takes what belongs to us. As the ALGON Chairman I tell you that anything that it will take to get Peter Mbah re-elected in 2027.”

Former federal lawmaker, Cornelius Nnaji, reminded the audience of history: “Why we came here is to examine the administration of Peter Mbah. The message is simple… our brother is doing well in Enugu State. There will always be opposition but that will not stop Peter Mbah.

“There was opposition during Chimaroke but he still completed his second tenure. There was opposition under Sullivan but he still completed his second tenure. The same happened under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Why should Governor Mbah’s tenure be different?”

Former Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, praised the governor’s achievements:

“Mbah’s actions and achievements have said it all. A good market sells itself, according to an Igbo adage. Mbah is a good son in whom we are well pleased. Are we supporting him only because he is our son? No, because if we have a bad son, we will not support him. Mbah is a good son and we are proud of him. He is a perfect example of the saying that Nkanu nwere mmadu. We want to ensure that Enugu East returns the highest votes in 2027.”

Former Secretary to the State Government, Chief GOC Aja, said, “It is better for you to love Peter Mbah than to love any other person. There is no other way to be happy in Enugu State than to rest in Peter Mbah. Anyone following Peter Mbah is interested in the good of Enugu State.”

The meeting ended with thunderous approval, sealing the adoption of Governor Peter Mbah as the sole governorship candidate of Enugu East Senatorial District in 2027. (The Sun)