Politics
Enugu Guber: Mbah’s Performance Top-Notch, Best for Securing Our Children’s Future — Odo
Former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Barrister Eugene Odoh, has praised Governor Peter Mbah’s performance, describing it as exceptional and focused on long-term development.
In this interview, Odo speaks on Mbah’s achievements, his defection to the APC, the party’s growing strength in Enugu State, and concerns about internal divisions and opposition politics ahead of 2027.
Q: What is your assessment of Governor Peter Mbah’s performance so far?
Odo: The governor has done very well and should be trusted. Personally, I do not believe so much in political party sentiment; I focus more on individuals who operate within the party. If a criminal emerges from even the best party, it does not make him less of a criminal.
We believe the governor has performed remarkably well. Since the creation of Enugu State—and even across the South-East—no administration can boast of investing up to N1.5 billion in each ward. The smart school initiative is revolutionary. Each school, with its equipment, is valued at about N1.1 billion, while the Type-2 hospitals cost not less than N400 million each.
This is what we call even development. It will bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, which is a major cause of crisis in society. In the past, children from different backgrounds attended the same schools without discrimination. Today, public schools are stigmatized, and that gap must be bridged.
Most of the smart schools are already over 80 percent completed. What we are seeing is a paradigm shift—from politics of appeasement to developmental politics. People should be able to point to tangible projects in their wards.
What the governor has done is top-notch and unarguably the best that can secure the future of our children. We cannot continue to widen inequality; it will lead us nowhere.
Q: With Governor Mbah joining the APC, how would you assess the party’s strength in Enugu State today?
Odo: The governor’s defection from PDP to APC is in line with constitutional provisions. There are no restrictions preventing an executive from joining another political party. Even in the legislature, there are allowances, especially in cases of party division.
As you know, the PDP has experienced internal divisions, with different leadership blocs. That alone creates room for movement.
As for APC in Enugu State, we are very pleased. The party is getting stronger. Previously, we did not have a governor, but now we do, and that strengthens our position significantly.
The governor also played a key role in uniting factions within the APC by bringing them together under a caretaker committee structure that ensured inclusiveness across wards and local governments. This has given members a sense of belonging.
So, we see APC in Enugu as a party on the path to greater strength, not just in the South-East but nationally.
Q: Some members allege that APC in Enugu has been taken over by former PDP members. What is your response?
Odo: I would say that claim is unfortunate and does not reflect reality. There is nothing like an invasion. What we are seeing is the exercise of constitutional freedom of association.
If anything, the reverse may be the case. At the national level, key positions allocated to Enugu State are occupied by long-standing APC members, not former PDP members.
At the state level, yes, PDP members who joined us have numerical strength, so some positions were conceded to them. But this was done alongside contributions from old APC members and even those from the Labour Party.
Nobody swallowed the other. What we have done is blend together to build a stronger party.
Q: How can internal divisions be managed ahead of the 2027 elections?
Odo: During the caretaker period, we made conscious efforts to bridge gaps. There is no real crisis between old APC members and those who joined from PDP.
What you may see are individual political ambitions, which are natural in politics. Some people may explore alternatives if they feel disadvantaged, but that does not amount to a crisis.
There has been full accommodation across board. At the ward and local government levels, you will find representation from all groups—old APC, PDP, and Labour Party members.
Politics is about collaboration. You give what you have to get what you do not have.
Q: Do you agree with claims that Enugu is becoming a one-party state under Governor Mbah?
Odo: No, I do not agree. A governor’s defection cannot turn a state into a one-party system. The strength of opposition depends on how well they organize themselves.
Is it the governor that caused divisions within PDP or the Labour Party? Even newer parties are experiencing internal conflicts. These are internal issues, not the governor’s doing.
Opposition is vital in a democracy, especially when it is constructive. It keeps the government on its toes. But what we often see is opposition aimed at gaining entry into government, not opposing policies.
True opposition should be issue-based. When I was in opposition, I maintained my stance without seeking personal gain. That is what democracy requires.
So, what we have is not a one-party system. The real issue is that the opposition needs to be more organized and focused.
The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.
He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.
The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.
The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
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