…Governor highlights achievements, unveils fresh commitments on roads, jobs, infrastructure
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!…Charges electorate to reaffirm confidence in APC through votes
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections, with party leaders and stakeholders expressing confidence in securing victory for Governor Peter Mbah, President Bola Tinubu and all candidates of the party.
The campaign flag-off, held on Wednesday at the Nsukka Township Stadium, attracted a massive turnout of party faithful, political office holders, traditional rulers, community leaders and supporters from across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, Governor Mbah highlighted his administration’s achievements in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development and the revitalisation of moribund state-owned assets, alongside the completion of abandoned projects.
He urged the electorate to assess his administration based on tangible accomplishments and ongoing development initiatives, noting that the opposition had yet to present a manifesto capable of articulating an alternative vision for the state.
Reflecting on his journey to Nsukka ahead of the rally, the governor cited the ongoing dualisation of the Penoks–T-Junction–Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road as a testament to his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, improved mobility and enhanced road safety.
“I left the office a few minutes past 1pm. It took me two to three minutes to get to T-Junction from Penoks. And it just reminded me of how motorists could have spent so much time, sometimes up to 30 minutes or hours if we did not dualise that road,” he said.
Mbah expressed optimism that the project would be completed before the end of the year, following assurances from the contractor, adding that the improved road infrastructure had significantly transformed transportation and accessibility along the corridor.
He further declared that the administration’s security interventions had effectively ended the dreaded phenomenon of sit-at-home, restoring public confidence and freedom of movement.
“Another thing the road reminds me is that we have kissed empty Mondays goodbye. Once upon a time, we dreaded travelling on that road because of fear of attack. Those days are gone. Today, we kissed it goodbye,” the governor stated.
According to him, the state’s infrastructure agenda transcends road construction, emphasising that the projects are designed to reconnect communities, stimulate economic activities, expand opportunities and strengthen integration across Enugu State.
He specifically highlighted the 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Umualor-Ikem virgin dual carriageway, which connects to the Obollo-Afor road, describing it as a strategic intervention that would improve connectivity across communities in the northern part of the state while providing a new gateway to the North-Central region of the country.
On education, Mbah described the Smart Green Schools initiative as a transformative intervention aimed at repositioning the sector to meet the demands of a modern, knowledge-driven economy.
He disclosed that his administration had recruited more than 6,000 teachers, who were undergoing specialised training at the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation, to equip them with the requisite skills for contemporary teaching methodologies.
The governor explained that the initiative was designed to move the state’s educational system away from rote memorisation towards critical thinking, creativity, innovation and problem-solving.
In the health sector, he disclosed that the government was constructing Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 electoral wards, with each facility equipped with healthcare personnel and residential accommodation, including a two-bedroom apartment for medical workers.
Highlighting his administration’s economic development agenda, Mbah listed the reopening and operationalisation of the Presidential Hotel, International Conference Centre, United Farm Products Limited, Songhai Enugu Integrated Farm and Sunrise Rice Flour Mill, among other strategic investments, as evidence of efforts to revive economic activities and create employment opportunities.
He also described Enugu Air as a strategic economic asset beyond its aviation operations, stressing that the airline symbolised the state’s readiness to attract investment, tourism and international business.
“Enugu Air represents more than an airline to us. It is our statement that we are open for business and we are open for tourism. We are open for people to come here and live,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that the airline would commence direct flights to London in the coming weeks, with international routes to the United States and China expected before the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Acknowledging that significant work remained to be done, particularly in road infrastructure, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving its 10,000-kilometre road construction target.
“We are not measured by our words; we are measured by our results. We don’t say things that we don’t deliver on. What we commit to, we deliver,” he declared.
On workers’ welfare, the governor disclosed that his administration had approved ₦32 billion for the settlement of inherited pension and gratuity liabilities, adding that payments of outstanding gratuities dating back to the year 2000 had commenced.
He also acknowledged the role of President Tinubu’s economic reforms in expanding the fiscal capacity of state governments, noting that his administration had leveraged the opportunities to invest in infrastructure, social services and employment generation.
Mbah commended the President for what he described as strategic federal interventions in the South-East, including the establishment of the South East Development Commission, approval of regional gas pipeline projects, road infrastructure development and appointments of qualified indigenes of the zone to key national positions.
He particularly welcomed the appointment of an indigene of Nsukka as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, describing it as the fulfilment of a longstanding aspiration of the university’s host community.
Earlier, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai said the 2027 elections presented an opportunity for the electorate to sustain the development trajectory of the present administration, accusing the opposition of deploying disinformation to undermine the government’s achievements.
Other prominent party leaders and stakeholders who addressed the rally reaffirmed their commitment to the re-election of Mbah and Tinubu, expressing confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects across the state.
They included the Director-General of the Enugu APC Campaign Council, Chief Charlie Mbah; elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo; APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye, who represented the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; and Enugu State APC Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunwike.
Others were Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District; Senator Ikeje Asogwa of Enugu North Senatorial Zone; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN; Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; and Member representing Nkanu West/Nkanu East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Nnolim Nnaji.
Also in attendance were the Member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency; South-East Zonal Woman Leader of the APC, Dr. Oby Ajih; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu; and Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Engr. Jude Asogwa.
The speakers variously commended the performance of the Tinubu and Mbah administrations, urging party members to remain united, intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure victory for all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
With the official flag-off, the Enugu State APC announced plans to commence a statewide campaign tour, taking its message, programmes and candidates to communities across the state as it intensifies mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Discover more from REFMEDIAGIST
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.