Former Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, says party stakeholders in the state have unanimously resolved to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their 2027 presidential candidate and to back Governor Peter Mbah for re-election, irrespective of his current political party.
Speaking at The Progressives Stakeholders Meeting in Enugu, their Leader, Dr. Nwoye said the decision followed extensive deliberations on the “progressive mindset” shared by APC members and like-minded individuals from other parties, aimed at the betterment of Nigeria and Enugu State in particular.
He said the resolution was also informed by the directive of President Tinubu, who, during a visit to Enugu on January 4, urged political actors in the state to support Governor Mbah because of his performance.
“One of the first motions was for us to agree to receive Peter Mbah into the fold of the APC if he decides to join the party. That motion was unanimously passed—that we, the APC in Enugu State, will be happy and eager to receive Governor Peter Mbah into our fold to lead us,” Nwoye stated.
“In line with Mr. President’s directive, another motion was moved to support Peter Mbah for 2027, to be elected for a second term—irrespective of party. The progressives in Enugu State, the APC, have declared that they will support Peter Mbah for a second term in 2027,” he added.
According to Nwoye, the meeting also reviewed major projects and appointments credited to President Tinubu that have benefited Enugu State. These include the signing into law of the Federal University of Agriculture for Enugu, the appointment of an Enugu indigene as Chief of Naval Staff, and the establishment of a Naval School and Base in the state.
“That project will not only help to secure Enugu State’s waterways and inland water areas but will also boost employment, increase the number of our citizens joining the Navy, and provide more opportunities for our youths through the Naval School,” he said.
He also highlighted the appointment of an Nsukka indigene as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as “historic,” noting that the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Enugu State Government was bringing unprecedented development to the state.
Nwoye explained that the third motion passed at the meeting was the formal adoption of President Tinubu as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate in Enugu State.
“We adopted all these motions as our resolution. What you observed is a process—it was not done in hiding. It was a process carried out openly, with grassroots participation from all the 260 wards and 17 local governments of Enugu State,” he said.
He accused Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and suspended former APC chairman Ugo Agballa of pursuing what he described as “a selfish project called Project 4772,” which, he claimed, delivered only 4,772 votes for Tinubu in the last election.
“We will ensure that never happens again. My ward—Amuri Ward—alone will deliver more than 4,772 votes in 2027. If we replicate this across the state, victory is guaranteed for Tinubu,” he asserted.
The former chairman also urged Governor Mbah to ensure that only qualified APC members from Enugu are recommended for federal appointments, warning against external political interference.
“We do not want people from Anambra, Abia, or Ebonyi States, under any capacity, to influence federal appointments in our state. Let His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, make appointments through the people who have worked for APC, based on merit and not on personal relationships,” he concluded.
