Pecohub Former members of the Enugu State House of Assembly have endorsed Governor Peter Mbah for a second term in office, citing his performance in office and the need to uphold equity, fairness and justice in the state’s zoning arrangement.
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 spokesman of President Bola Tinubu in the South-East, Denge Josef Onoh, alongside other members, including Hon. Emeka Madu and Hon. Johnny Obidinma.
The former lawmakers said their decision was anchored on two key considerations: the “verifiable and outstanding achievements” of Governor Mbah’s administration, and the principles of equity, fairness and justice which, they noted, had sustained political harmony in Enugu State since the return to democracy in 1999.
On performance, the forum said Governor Mbah had demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, with his administration recording significant progress across critical sectors. They highlighted what they described as aggressive infrastructure renewal, noting that over 1,000 kilometres of urban, rural and intercity roads had been constructed, rehabilitated or were under active construction within a short period.
They also cited what they termed bold economic engineering aimed at growing the state’s gross domestic product from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years, through investments in industrialisation, export-oriented agriculture—including 100,000 hectares of land per senatorial zone for cash crops—improved transportation such as the introduction of CNG buses and modern terminals, and the revival of moribund state assets.
According to the forum, other areas of progress under Governor Mbah include water supply, security, education, health, waste management, power, the judiciary and human capital development, positioning Enugu as an emerging destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
“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 group said.
Beyond performance, the former lawmakers said their endorsement was also driven by the need to protect equity and fairness above what they described as narrow political gains or personal ambitions. They recalled that since 1999, Enugu State had enjoyed relative political stability through a zoning arrangement that ensured rotational justice among the three senatorial zones.
They outlined the zoning sequence since the return to democracy, noting that Enugu East produced Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, who served two terms from 1999 to 2007; Enugu West produced Barrister Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, who served two terms from 2007 to 2015; while Enugu North produced Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who also completed two terms from 2015 to 2023.
“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 group stated.
“To allow any other aspirant from Enugu East to contest against Governor Mbah would destabilise 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.”
