The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance calls for accountability, credible investigations and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
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The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CCSGG) has challenged the governorship candidates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Nnaji, to address questions concerning their public records and present comprehensive development plans for Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition made the call during a world press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, October 15, 2026, under the theme, “Enugu State and the Politics of 2027: Putting the Record Straight.”
The organisation, which describes itself as an umbrella body comprising more than 52 civil society organisations, expressed concern over rising political tension in Enugu State following reported incidents at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and outside the NDC secretariat on October 10.
It cautioned political parties against making unsubstantiated allegations, disseminating misleading information and exploiting unresolved security incidents for political advantage.
The coalition also expressed concern over attempts to associate Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah with the incidents, arguing that such claims should be supported by credible evidence.
While acknowledging the importance of opposition politics in a democracy, the organisation maintained that political disagreements must be addressed through evidence-based engagement, lawful investigations and responsible public communication.
Coalition Seeks Answers over Airport Incident
Addressing the reported confrontation at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the coalition called on the NDC to clarify whether it obtained the necessary authorisation from the appropriate federal airport authorities before planning its proposed campaign flag-off at the facility.
According to the account presented by the Enugu State Government, the party was advised to obtain approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), but the government maintained that the required authorisation had not been secured.
The coalition also referenced an account attributed to the Enugu State Police Command indicating that airport authorities restricted the entry of party supporters before a misunderstanding escalated.
It called for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be established through credible evidence and official records.
The organisation stressed that although freedom of association and peaceful assembly are fundamental democratic rights, political activities must comply with applicable laws and legitimate security requirements governing sensitive public facilities.
It urged the relevant authorities to investigate the incident impartially and clarify the responsibilities of the parties involved.
Calls for Impartial Investigation into Reported Shooting
The CCSGG also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the reported shooting outside the NDC secretariat in Enugu.
It urged the police and other relevant security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
The coalition warned political parties and commentators against prejudging the outcome of the investigation or turning the incident into a campaign instrument.
It further called for the preservation of relevant evidence, protection of witnesses and public disclosure of the findings where legally permissible.
The organisation maintained that allegations linking public officials or political actors to the incident must be supported by credible evidence rather than speculation.
Ohaa Urged to Clarify Reported Legal Proceedings
The coalition called on Ohaa to clarify questions arising from reports concerning his public-service record, including a reported 2018 proceeding involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The statement identified the reported case number as CR/76/18 and alleged that the matter concerned an investigation into land allocations and the handling of official invitations.
The coalition urged Ohaa to clarify whether the reported proceedings were instituted against him and, if so, provide verifiable information about their outcome.
It also referred to public accounts attributed to former Senate President Ken Nnamani concerning an earlier matter reportedly involving Ohaa and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The organisation requested clarification of the circumstances surrounding the matter, including reports that Ohaa was subsequently treated as a prosecution witness.
Additionally, the coalition raised questions concerning an allegation attributed to former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung about a purported ₦200 million demand during a budget-defence process.
It urged Ohaa to clarify whether he occupied the relevant official position at the time and whether he had direct knowledge of the alleged incident.
The CCSGG emphasised that the questions were requests for clarification and did not constitute findings of wrongdoing.
It maintained that the allegations must be assessed against authentic records and that Ohaa must be afforded an opportunity to respond.
Nnaji Asked to Clarify Academic and NYSC Credentials
The coalition also called on Nnaji to address questions concerning his academic qualifications and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documentation.
It urged the PDP candidate to clarify the qualifications he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and provide authenticated records from the relevant institutions where necessary.
The organisation stressed that questions concerning disputed credentials should be resolved through appropriate institutional and judicial processes rather than public speculation.
It also acknowledged that unresolved allegations do not automatically establish guilt, emphasising the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence.
Nevertheless, the coalition maintained that candidates seeking public office should be prepared to answer legitimate questions concerning their qualifications and public records.
NDC Asked to Clarify Governorship Primary
The CCSGG further called on the NDC to respond transparently to allegations concerning the conduct of its governorship primary in Enugu State and the treatment of aspirants who sought the party’s ticket.
It urged the party to clarify the procedures followed during the exercise and demonstrate compliance with its constitution, approved primary guidelines and applicable electoral laws.
The coalition cautioned against treating the allegations as established facts without supporting documentation but maintained that concerns about internal party democracy deserved a credible response.
Candidates Challenged to Present Development Alternatives
Beyond the controversies surrounding individual political actors, the coalition challenged all governorship candidates to focus their campaigns on practical solutions to Enugu State’s development challenges.
It called for comprehensive proposals covering education, healthcare, employment, agriculture, security, infrastructure, investment and public-sector accountability.
According to the organisation, candidates should explain how their proposed programmes would be financed, the measurable results they intend to achieve and the mechanisms through which citizens would assess their performance.
The coalition argued that the 2027 election should offer voters a clear choice between credible policy alternatives rather than campaigns dominated by personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.
It also urged political leaders to discourage violence, intimidation and misinformation while calling on security agencies to remain professional and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The organisation maintained that opposition parties must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without unlawful interference, while complying with legitimate legal and security requirements.
The coalition concluded by urging Governor Mbah, opposition leaders and other political stakeholders to prioritise peace, accountability and responsible political engagement.
It reiterated that no candidate should be condemned solely on the basis of an allegation, while insisting that individuals seeking public office must remain open to legitimate scrutiny.
The CCSGG called on Ohaa and Nnaji to provide verifiable responses to questions concerning their records and present clear, measurable and financially credible development plans for Enugu State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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