Former members of the Enugu State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind Governor Peter Mbah’s bid for a second term in office, citing what they described as his verifiable achievements in office and the need to preserve equity, fairness, and political stability in the state.
The endorsement was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
The statement was endorsed by the Chairman of the forum and former South East spokesman of President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, alongside other members, including Hon. Emeka Madu and Hon. Johnny Obidinma.
According to the former lawmakers, their decision rests on two core considerations: the performance of Governor Mbah’s administration and Enugu State’s long-standing zoning arrangement, which they said has ensured peace and harmony since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
On governance and development, the forum said Governor Mbah has demonstrated “exceptional leadership and vision,” pointing to what it described as aggressive infrastructure renewal across the state.
They noted that over 1,000 kilometres of urban, rural, and intercity roads have been constructed, rehabilitated, or are currently under construction within a short period of his administration.
The group also highlighted the governor’s economic agenda, which targets the expansion of Enugu State’s Gross Domestic Product from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through industrialisation, export-oriented agriculture, and the revival of dormant public assets.
They specifically referenced investments in agriculture, including the allocation of 100,000 hectares of land per senatorial zone for cash crop production, improvements in transportation through the introduction of CNG buses and modern transport terminals, and reforms aimed at making Enugu more attractive for business and investment.
Other areas credited to the Mbah administration include improvements in water supply, security, education, healthcare, waste management, power supply, the judiciary, and human capital development.
“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 forum said.
Beyond performance, the former legislators stressed that their endorsement was “profoundly driven by the need to uphold equity and fairness,” arguing that Enugu State’s zoning system has been central to its political stability.
They traced the zoning arrangement from 1999, noting that Enugu East produced Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who served two terms from 1999 to 2007; Enugu West produced Barr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, who served two terms from 2007 to 2015; and Enugu North produced Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who also completed two terms from 2015 to 2023.
According to the group, the governorship has now returned to Enugu East, where Governor Mbah hails from.
“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.”
The forum warned that allowing another aspirant from Enugu East to challenge Governor Mbah would undermine the zoning arrangement and destabilise the state’s political balance.
“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.”
They argued that such a development would effectively sideline other zones, noting that Enugu West could be denied the governorship for another 12 years, while Enugu North could wait as long as 20 years before producing another governor.
The former lawmakers therefore called on political stakeholders across the state to unite behind the governor.
“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.”
They also declared their refusal to back any rival candidate from Enugu East.
“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.”
Drawing lessons from other parts of the country, the forum warned against disrupted zoning arrangements and single-term tenures.
“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.”
They concluded with a strong endorsement of the governor.
“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.
