The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has elected a new State Executive Committee through affirmation by delegates at its just concluded State Congress, in a gathering attended by members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly members, commissioners, local government chairmen, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, and delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state.
In his post-election address, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah congratulated the newly affirmed State Working Committee and State Executive Committee, describing the exercise as a triumph of participatory democracy.
“Let me start by warmly congratulating the new State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of our party,” Mbah said. “But I think the bigger congratulations go to you all, the delegates, because democracy is a participatory endeavour, and what we have done here today represents that.”
The governor stressed that the affirmation process demonstrated political maturity, noting that the congress was conducted as a “brotherly affair” rather than a contest driven by division.
“What we have done here today shows that Enugu State is not just a model of governance; Enugu State is also a model of politics,” he declared. “We have not come here to fight any third party; we have come to conduct our affairs peacefully, and that makes us all winners.”
Reflecting on the journey from the ward and local government congresses to the state congress, Mbah said the party had proven that its internal processes were worthy of emulation.
“We have shown that we are truly a model that other states must follow,” he said. “When we took the decision to make this movement, our objective was to expand our support base and connect Enugu State with the opportunities that the centre provides. What we have done here today shows that that commingling has worked.”
The governor credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms for creating fiscal space that has benefited states, linking several federal approvals to Enugu’s development drive.
“You can see what is happening at the centre, driven by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Mbah stated. “Through bold and courageous policies, more funds are flowing to the sub-nationals. That is why much of what you are seeing in Enugu today is a reality.”
He cited the concessioning of the Enugu International Airport, approval for the extension of the eastern rail line to Enugu, and the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission as direct gains of aligning with the Federal Government.
“In less than six months, we have received approval to connect the eastern rail line to Enugu State,” he said. “Within the next 18 months, you are going to have a high-pressure gas pipeline running through Enugu. That will unlock over $2 billion worth of economic potential. We are building a $30 billion economy, and I can tell you we are on course to surpass that projection.”
On education, the governor underscored his administration’s investment priorities. “In the last three budget cycles, we have invested over 33 percent of our total budget in education,” he said. “This is not about bragging rights; it is about the future of Enugu State. We cannot leapfrog into a knowledge-based economy without investing heavily in education.”
Mbah, however, warned party members against complacency and urged the newly elected executives to prioritise communication. “We must communicate this progress across every nook and cranny of this state,” he charged. “Human nature makes people forget how things used to be. We must not take this seamless and peaceful process for granted.”
Earlier, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Barr. Ben Nwoye, described the congress as the culmination of a reconciliation process that restored unity within the party.
“Today is not just another political gathering. Today, we are completing a journey,” Nwoye said. “A journey that began with uncertainty but is ending in unity.”
He explained that when the caretaker committee was constituted, it was tasked with reconciling factions and repositioning the party for victory.
“There were splinter groups and grievances, but we understood that the survival and growth of the APC in Enugu required sacrifice, patience and inclusive leadership,” he said. “Today, I can proudly say that we are handing over a united APC.”
Nwoye credited Governor Mbah for providing direction and support throughout the reconciliation process. “This unity did not happen by accident,” he stated. “It would not have been possible without our hardworking and purpose-driven governor. His guidance and steady leadership made this process seamless.”
He added that more than 6,000 executives had emerged from ward and local government congresses, describing the state congress as “the final layer that crowns months of structured and orderly work.” He expressed confidence that the united platform would deliver victories in future elections.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected State Chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, pledged total loyalty to the governor and the party.
“Your Excellency, I am here on behalf of the elected members of the State Executive to say a very big thank you,” Chukwunweike said. “You stood by us throughout this process and left no stone unturned to ensure its success.”
He praised the governor’s foresight in navigating political turbulence and linking Enugu State to the centre. “The party you brought us into has connected Enugu to the centre, and we are already seeing the benefits,” he noted.
Declaring his team’s allegiance, he said: “The loyalty we give is total, because loyalty does not have percentage. It is either you are loyal or you are not. We will use everything within us to strengthen the party structure at the ward, local government and state levels.”
Chukwunweike assured delegates that the new executive would work towards guaranteeing victory in 2027 and expressed confidence in the governor’s re-election prospects. “In Enugu State, there is a tradition that no performing governor does only one tenure,” he said. “Your own cannot be different. We are determined to ensure that 2027 is guaranteed.”
