Youths of Awkunanaw extraction in Enugu State have warned politicians from the area nursing governorship ambitions against contesting the 2027 election against Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, urging them to abandon their aspirations and rally behind the incumbent.
The youths, under the umbrella of the Awkunanaw Political Forum (APF), declared Mbah their sole choice for the governorship, insisting that unity and the continuation of his administration’s development agenda should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
They made the declaration on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the end of a youth-led convention held at the Enugu South Local Government Secretariat, where they also adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued after the convention, themed “One Voice. One Destiny: Awkunanaw for APC!”, the forum said its position followed consultations and deliberations on the political and socio-economic future of Enugu State.
The communiqué was signed by the Director-General of APF, Hon. Nnamani Arinze Darlington, and the Executive Chairman of Enugu South Local Government, Hon. Caleb Onyema Ani, who served as chief host.
Awkunanaw youths draw line over governorship race
Explaining its decision to rally behind Mbah, the forum cited what it described as the governor’s remarkable achievements in three years, including the construction of 268 Smart Green Schools with more than 7,000 classrooms, 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres and over 1,521 kilometres of roads.
It also listed five ultramodern transport terminals, more than 100 CNG buses, Enugu Air, the state’s Command and Control Centre, security infrastructure and the Enugu International Hospital among the administration’s achievements.
The youths further commended the governor for reviving moribund assets and completing abandoned projects, including Hotel Presidential, Nigergas Limited, Enugu United Palm Products Limited and the International Conference Centre.
They also cited Enugu’s performance in various governance assessments, including its recognition as the most improving state by the Philips Consulting States Performance Index, its first-place national ranking in IGR growth in 2025 and second position in the 2026 BudgIT State Sustainability Report.
On that basis, the forum declared Mbah its sole gubernatorial choice for the next election.
The communiqué stated: “We categorically resolve that His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is endorsed as the sole gubernatorial candidate of all youths of Awkunanaw extraction for the upcoming election.
“His visionary leadership, transformative agenda, and unwavering commitment to the development of Enugu State make him the undisputed champion of our collective aspirations.”
In a direct message to other governorship aspirants from Awkunanaw, the forum said it would not support any candidate from the area seeking to challenge Mbah.
“In the interest of unity, political strength, and continued development of Enugu State, we explicitly reject any gubernatorial candidate of Awkunanaw extraction contesting against Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“We advise all such individuals to step down and join forces with Governor Mbah to present a formidable, united front for the advancement of our people,” the communiqué declared.
The youths said their position was also informed by political history, recalling the support they received from Nkanu East during the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani.
They argued that standing behind Mbah was an opportunity to reciprocate the solidarity previously extended to their community.
Tinubu, APC candidates get backing
Beyond the Enugu governorship contest, the forum declared its support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, adopting him as its sole presidential candidate for 2027.
It commended the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting economic reforms, increased Federation Account allocations to states, growth in non-oil revenue, trade surpluses and improvements in foreign reserves.
The youths also listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), major road and rail projects, the Presidential CNG Initiative, power-sector investments and agricultural interventions as key areas of the administration’s focus.
The communiqué stated: “We pledge our unalloyed loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commit our organizational strength to ensuring total victory for him in 2027.”
The forum also declared full support for all APC candidates contesting executive and legislative positions across Enugu State, pledging to mobilise its members and campaign for the party’s victory at all levels.
It called on youths across Awkunanaw to remain united and committed to what it described as the path of continuity, progress and renewed hope, reaffirming its slogan: “One Voice. One Destiny. Awkunanaw for APC!”
