Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, has dismissed the prospect of an opposition coalition winning Governor Peter Mbah in the 2027 governorship election, saying that the state’s zoning arrangement to Nkanu East and the governor’s performance favour his bid for a second term.
He made this known while speaking with newsmen on Friday in Enugu. The chairman pinned his position on Enugu’s zoning and rotation tradition, stressing that Enugu East Senatorial zone, where governor Mbah hails from, should be allowed to retain the governorship position for a second term before power rotates to another zone or another local government area in the zone.
APC Enugu state chairman, Dr Martins Chukwunwike
According to him, the governorship has rotated among the state’s three senatorial zones, making it necessary for political stakeholders to consider equity and the expectations of other zones in determining their ambitions.
Chukwunwike argued that the former Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani from Nkanu West ,ruled for 8 years and Governor Mbah from Nkanu East , should be allowed to complete a second term would preserve the existing rotation arrangement and enable other zones to anticipate their turns in subsequent election cycles.
He stressed that changing the rotational arrangements, replacing Governor Mbah with another candidate from the same zone could prolong the wait for political stakeholders from Enugu West and Enugu North, who are anticipating their opportunities to produce the next governor.
On the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, the chairman said the APC was prepared for the election, arguing that the administration’s investments in infrastructure, education and healthcare had strengthened grassroots support for Mbah.
He warned political actors against violence, urging all parties to pursue their ambitions through peaceful and democratic means.
The APC chairman said the party was not threatened by reports that they opposition parties were considering adopting a common candidate to challenge the incumbent Governor, arguing that a coalition would not necessarily change the political dynamics of the state.
The APC chairman also expressed confidence in the support groups mobilising behind Mbah, describing their backing as genuine and rooted in the administration’s projects and programmes.
He cited road construction, the establishment of Smart Green Schools, healthcare improvements and other development initiatives as reasons supporters had continued to identify with the governor.
According to him, genuine support could be determined by the reasons supporters gave for backing the administration and their presence across wards and polling unit s.
Chukwunwike also referenced the compendium titled A Thousand and One Reasons Why Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Should Be Re-elected, describing it as evidence of the support the governor enjoys among his backers.
On the renewed governorship ambitions of some politicians who had previously supported Mbah’s emergence, the APC chairman questioned what had changed to warrant their decision to challenge the incumbent.
He urged opposition politicians to remain patient and respect the state’s zoning arrangement, while acknowledging that they could pursue their political ambitions through democratic competition.
On concerns about possible political violence ahead of the elections, Chukwunwike called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence and ensure that the electioneering process remained peaceful.
He warned that anyone found culpable in acts of electoral violence should be held accountable under the law, stressing that political ambition must not come at the expense of human life.
“We have zero tolerance for violence,” he said, adding that those responsible for acts of violence would be made to face the law.
The APC chairman appealed to political actors to approach the contest with open minds and accept the outcome of a credible electoral process.
“Let us abhor violence. Let us go into the competition with free minds. Whoever wins, we declare him a winner,” he said.
He maintained that the ultimate objective of political participation should be the development of Enugu State, warning that violence would undermine the purpose of seeking political power.
