A socio-political group, Enugu Rising, has dismissed allegations by the South-East Stakeholders Forum (SESF) accusing Governor Peter Mbah’s administration of pursuing “anti-people” policies, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued in Enugu, the group said the accusations were aimed at distracting the public from the unprecedented development strides currently unfolding across the state under Governor Mbah. According to Enugu Rising, it is “disingenuous to label an administration focused on long-term economic prosperity and sustainable development as anti-people simply because it challenges the status quo and demands accountability.”
The group pointed to what it described as deliberate misinformation by critics, particularly in the areas of education, infrastructure, aviation, water supply, and security. It noted that the government has been laying solid foundations in human capital development through teacher training, curriculum reform, and digital literacy, stressing that these reforms are not about quick fixes but about building a knowledge-based economy for sustainable growth.
On the allegation that only one smart school exists in the state, Enugu Rising described it as a misrepresentation, explaining that construction is ongoing across the state in line with a phased plan. The group insisted that Governor Mbah’s commitment to transforming education infrastructure “is undeniable and visible.”
Similarly, it defended the proposed Enugu State Airline, arguing that critics fail to see the project’s broader economic impact. “This initiative is a visionary move to boost Enugu’s status as a regional hub, attract investment, create jobs, and open new channels for trade. It is not a white elephant project but a long-term investment that will ease tax burdens by generating significant revenue for the state,” the group declared.
Addressing concerns over water supply, Enugu Rising reminded critics that “the challenge predates the current administration by decades.” It argued that Governor Mbah has made unprecedented progress by restoring water to areas that had lacked supply for years and increased generation by more than 1,000 percent. On security, the group highlighted noticeable improvements, crediting the administration’s innovative strategies, integration of technology and stronger collaboration with security agencies.
On the issue of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and taxation, Enugu Rising described “the initiative as forward-looking, designed to provide affordable and sustainable transport.”
It noted that while initial fare concerns were expected in a system rollout, they are being addressed. Regarding taxes, the group insisted that “the government is streamlining collections to strengthen internally generated revenue without arbitrarily burdening citizens, ensuring that the funds are deployed into projects that directly impact lives.”
Concluding its position, Enugu Rising stated that “Governor Mbah’s leadership is marked by bold, transformative policies that seek to shift Enugu from a public sector-dependent economy to a productive, private sector-driven one.
“These are not anti-people policies; they are pro-future policies,” the group affirmed, urging residents to ignore sensational criticisms and focus on the administration’s visible progress.
