…Arthur Eze backs Enugu governor, says he will not abandon those who stand by him
A political group under the aegis of “Nwanne di na mba” Grand Assembly, has endorsed Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, pledging to mobilise votes for all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates and donating ₦50 million towards the governor’s re-election bid.
The group, which has Anambra-born billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, as its Grand Patron, gave the endorsement on Friday at a rally held at Okpara Square, Enugu, where members from different ethnic and religious backgrounds expressed support for the two leaders and the APC.
The group listed the Mbah administration’s developmental projects, inclusive governance and the Federal Government’s support for Enugu State as reasons for its decision.
Speaking at the rally, Mbah described the massive turnout as a demonstration of democracy, appreciating the group for what he called an open expression of confidence in his administration and that of Tinubu.
The governor said the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration had increased the resources available to state governments, enabling his administration to execute projects across critical sectors, including education, healthcare and infrastructure.
He challenged the people to assess his administration through the projects delivered across the state, particularly the 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres and 268 Smart Green Schools.
“Because you believe in what you can see, what you can touch and what you can feel. Can you see the Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres? Can you see the good roads? Do you drive on them? Now you can drive on smooth roads, send your children to high-quality schools and access affordable healthcare,” he said.
Arthur Eze presenting a cheque of N50 million to Gov Mbah
Mbah maintained that Enugu’s development trajectory was linked to the policies of the Tinubu ad2ministration, urging residents to support the President’s re-election to sustain the progress recorded by both governments.
He also identified the South East Development Commission, the proposed gas pipeline network across the South-East and the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport as opportunities capable of accelerating industrialisation, trade, cargo operations and international connectivity in the region.
The governor said Enugu belonged to all who lived and contributed to its development, regardless of their ethnic origins.
“Enugu means home to all of us. We all have a stake in Enugu, and that is why you have come out in your numbers to say that the good work and hard work must continue,” he said.
Calling for greater participation in the electoral process, Mbah urged eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote for Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
He assured the people that his administration would intensify its development efforts if re-elected.
The Convener Nwanne di na mba, RT. Hon Uche Anya
“With the strength I see here today, with the energy and resolve you have demonstrated, we are committing to do more. What you should expect is more,” he said.n his remarks, Arthur Eze described Mbah as a leader who maintained positive relationships across political and social divides, expressing confidence that the governor would deliver more benefits to the people through his relationship with the President.
“Peter Mbah is supporting Tinubu very well, and we will support him because he will bring a lot to Ndi Igbo through Tinubu, because Tinubu trusts him very well. We cannot abandon him because he never abandoned anyone,” Eze said.
He urged the people of Enugu state to support both leaders in 2027, expressing optimism that their administrations would create further opportunities for the South-East.
Speaking, the Sarkin Hausawa in Enugu State and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, said the rally was organised to appreciate Mbah’s administration for promoting inclusive governance and extending development opportunities to non-indigenes.
Speaking on behalf of Hausa, Yoruba, Tiv and other ethnic communities, Sambo said residents from different backgrounds had benefited from the state government’s programmes in education, healthcare, infrastructure and political appointments.
He noted that children from non-indigene communities had access to the Smart Green Schools, while their mothers benefited from the Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres. He also commended the administration’s road projects.
“We are happy with your governance and the way you have been carrying us along in Enugu State. We are part of all the programmes going on in the state,” he said.
Sambo pledged that members of the various communities would support Mbah and Tinubu at the polls, promising votes for APC candidates from the presidency to the State House of Assembly.
He described the rally as an initial demonstration of the group’s mobilisation capacity ahead of the planned visit of President Tinubu to Enugu State.
Earlier, the convener of the group and Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Barr. Uche Anya, said the rally marked the beginning of a broader mobilisation campaign among non-indigenes and residents of the state’s urban centres in support of Mbah’s second-term ambition.
Anya said the communities appreciated the governor’s development initiatives and were determined to sustain the achievements recorded under his administration.
He disclosed that non-indigenes in the municipality had mandated him to communicate their commitment to supporting Mbah and Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
According to him, the group also believed that Tinubu’s support for Enugu State and his administration’s efforts to integrate the state into the mainstream of national politics deserved electoral support.
“The non-indigenes in the municipality promise that the mistakes of 2023 will never happen again. They will vote President Tinubu for his good works, for integrating Enugu into the mainstream of Nigerian politics and for believing in you,” Anya said.
He described the endorsement as a demonstration of appreciation for both the state and Federal Government, reaffirming the group’s commitment to mobilising votes for APC candidates across the state.
The highlights of the event were the formal endorsement of Mbah and Tinubu, alongside the presentation of a ₦50 million cheque to the governor towards his re-election bid.
Dignitaries at the event included the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu; APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye; Enugu State APC Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunwike; and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN) members of the National and State Assemblies, members of the State Executive Council, government appointees among others.
