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  • COAS lauds tremendous security improvement in Enugu

    COAS lauds tremendous security improvement in Enugu

    Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has commended what he described as the improvement of security in Enugu State under the Governor Peter Mbah Administration.

    Lt. Gen. Shaibu gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Mbah at Government House, Enugu, on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Army Regimental Sergeant Majors’ (RSM) Conference 2025, on Thursday.

    He also appreciated the governor for his support of the Nigerian Army to succeed in its constitutional mandate.

    “I came to pay a courtesy visit to His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and also to appreciate him for all the support he has been providing to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army.

    “Of course, the RSM is the official link of the officers and the soldiers and to the moral compass of discipline and regimentation in the Nigerian Army,” he stated.

    READ ALSO: NMDPRA places 15% petrol tax on hold

    “Security in Enugu State has improved tremendously from the brief I have gotten. And from all indicators, security has improved,” he added.

    On his part, Governor Mbah, while congratulating the Army Chief on his appointment, commended him for hitting the ground running and praised his sense of urgency in tackling the security challenges facing the nation.

    He underscored the fact that the widely acclaimed improvement in the security of lives and property in the state today could not have been possible without the support and sacrifices of the men of the Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies.

    “I had just said to him inside that his appointment for me is getting the square peg in a square hole, given his accident, given what we know he has accomplished.

    “In terms of our relationship with the Army, we could not have been able to achieve the sort of safe and secure city and state that we have in Enugu today without the active support of the Army. So, we believe this is a partnership, and this support is going to be sustained,” Mbah said.

    While also commending President Bola Tinubu for his sustained and far-reaching policies, investments, and commitment towards making Nigeria safer for all, the governor said his administration looked forward to engaging and working more with the Army in all necessary areas to actualise the president’s overall security objectives and targets for the country.

    The Chief of the Army Staff was accompanied by the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army, including the GOC 82 Division should be changed to Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo.

  • APC appoints Onyirimba to lead Renewed Hope Agenda in Enugu

    APC appoints Onyirimba to lead Renewed Hope Agenda in Enugu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the appointment of Mazi Dr. Ezenwa Onyirimba as leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Enugu State, with a strategic focus on the 2027 general elections.

    According to Dr. Onyirimba, the appointment was ratified through the office of the party’s National Youth Leader, Hon. Dr. Dayo Israel.

    The new assignment mandates Onyirimba to mobilise grassroots support for the APC and advance the national development agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Party sources described Onyirimba as a seasoned mobiliser with a strong record of political strategy and youth engagement.

    Before his latest appointment, Onyirimba served as Director-General of the APC Youth and Student Council and was a key member of the Stakeholders Relations Directorate under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in the Presidential Campaign Council.

    In his new capacity, Onyirimba is expected to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda deep into the grassroots of Enugu State and consolidate the party’s presence across local communities.

    The party expressed confidence that his experience in political organisation and stakeholder engagement would help galvanise support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid both in Enugu State and across the country.

  • Court restrains factional NMA executives in Enugu

    Court restrains factional NMA executives in Enugu

    The Enugu State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice C. A. Ogbuabor (PhD), has granted an ex-parte order in favour of some members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State branch, restraining a faction of the association from parading themselves as the state executives of the body.

    The interim order, issued on Monday, October 20, 2025, followed a motion ex-parte filed by four senior medical practitioners—Dr. Sunday Okafor, Dr. Chima Edeoga, Emeritus Prof. Samuel Ohaegbunam, and Dr. Grace Bernard-Asdu—on behalf of members of the NMA Enugu State Branch, excluding those with “adverse interests” in the matter.

    The defendants in the suit include Prof. Bala Audu, Dr. Ben Egbo, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebututu, Dr. Ushakuma Anenga, Dr. Wale Lasisi, Dr. Harrison Omokhua, Dr. Bature Mannir, the Incorporated Trustees of the NMA, and others allegedly parading themselves as executives of the association in Enugu State.

    Read Also: Enugu CJ frees 86 inmates

    The motion, brought pursuant to Order 7 Rule 5 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the Enugu State High Court Rules, 2020, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction, was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Dr. Okafor. The plaintiffs attached several exhibits (A–G) and a written address to substantiate their claims.

    After hearing the submissions of counsel to the applicants, Mr. Ndubuisi Okwesili, and considering the affidavit, exhibits, and other court filings, Justice Ogbuabor held that the depositions revealed a “compelling need” to grant the application.

    Although the details of the restraining order were not immediately available, the ruling effectively puts on hold the activities of the faction claiming to be the NMA Enugu State executive pending further hearing of the substantive suit (Suit No. E/1327/2025).

    The case is expected to return to court for further proceedings in the coming days.

  • Enugu roads deserted over #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest

    Enugu roads deserted over #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest

    The city of Enugu witnessed an eerie calm on Monday as residents chose to stay indoors in quiet solidarity with the nationwide #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest rather than take to the streets.

    The protest, convened by activist Omoyele Sowore, had called for mass demonstrations across the country to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. 

    But in Enugu, participation took a different turn — a spontaneous sit-at-home.

    Across the Coal City, normal activities were completely grounded. Schools, markets, and business premises remained under lock and key, while banks, shopping malls, and fuel stations did not open for the day. 

    Major roads such as Zik Avenue, Agbani Road, and Ogui Road were largely deserted, giving the city a ghostly look.

    Read Also: #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest grounds Abuja expressway

    Even though some government offices opened for skeletal operations, attendance was abysmally low and only a few civil servants were seen on duty.

    A tour of areas including Ogbete Main Market, New Haven, and Independence Layout revealed closed shops and empty streets, as commercial transporters and traders kept off the roads.

    Many residents told our correspondent that their decision to stay home stemmed from fear of possible violence and a desire to show solidarity with protesters converging in Abuja, where the main demonstration was held.

    “We support the call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, but people here are afraid of being caught in any confrontation between protesters and security forces,” a resident at Achara Layout who declined to give his name said.

    Despite the near-total shutdown, the atmosphere in Enugu remained peaceful and orderly as of the time of filing this report.

    There were no reports of violence or arrests, though security operatives were seen patrolling strategic parts of the city to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

  • Enugu political twists and turns

    Enugu political twists and turns

    In politics, as in business, there is no such thing as eternal friendship or enemy. Relationship changes, depending on potential benefits. Furthermore, lying is the second nature of spies, just as changing camps is the second nature of Nigerian politicians. The latest political developments in Enugu State vis-a-vis the political recalibration with the state governor as the major gladiator captured the political twists and turns in the state.

    In the build up to the 2023 general elections, there were fragmentations among the two major political parties (APC and PDP). The state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi PDP, collaborating with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike under the aegis of G-5 Governors worked against PDP Presidential candidate in favour of APC Presidential candidate. Some notable PDP figures in the state also worked against the PDP Presidential candidate in favour of APC Presidential candidate. At the time of the governorship election, notable APC members worked against the APC governorship candidate, Chief Uche Nnaji in favour of PDP candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah. The APC group that worked against the APC governorship candidate were labeled renegades and ostracized from the party. However, the renegades were unperturbed, maintaining their resolve as members of APC, running a parallel administration to Ugochukwu Agballah lead APC.

    Nigerian democracy has witnessed a series of indiscriminate political defections, with politicians criss-crossing from one political party to another. There is nothing wrong with cross carpeting, simpliciter, if predicated upon well-articulated principles and unimpeachable political ideology. In fact, cross carpeting—within certain precincts—is a fundamental and constitutional right. Nevertheless, with the current trend of cross carpeting being enacted in the Nigerian political landscape, principles, scruples, ideology, and the like, have all been jettisoned for greed, self-interest, and opportunism. Though the legality of the current Nigerian species of cross carpeting may be entrenched, the morality is not. The current spate of cross carpeting, that has become commonplace, whittles down the respected concept of trust; reveals the abject dearth of political ideology; and impinges the entire society negatively. When morality is lost, in a society like Nigeria, then the fabrics of the law and its enforceability are grossly weakened.

    Read Also: Bridging Nigeria’s Healthcare Divide: Linking Informal Healthcare Providers to the Formal Health System

    The latest political shenanigan in Enugu State was precipitated by the state governor’s bid to join the APC, while the state chapter of the APC stood against that, insisting the governor should remain in PDP. However, the national leadership of APC wanted Governor Mbah in the party, and were therefore, at cross purposes with the state executive. Though the disagreement between the state and national executive of the APC in respect of Governor Mbah’s move was not in the public domain, the torrent of events in the past two weeks confirmed the cold war was on.

    The PDP intra-party crisis which started after the Presidential primaries of 2022, escalated, becoming a hydra-headed monster, threatening the ambitions of the party members including Peter Mbah’s second term ambition. In that vein, members including Governor Peter Mbah choose to decamp, abandoning the crisis-laden PDP. He set his sights on APC, notwithstanding the fact that Enugu State APC is equally experiencing turbulence, as there are two camps. Going by the unwritten codes of Nigerian political parties, the highest ranking political office holder in any state is automatically the Party leader. So, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Honourable Minister of Innovation Science and Technology was the APC leader in Enugu State and his camp is chaired by Ugochukwu Agballah, and supported by the national executive. Chief Uche Nnaji who lost to Peter Mbah in the 2023 election has the intention of contesting again in 2027 on the platform of APC. On that note, the expectation was that Peter Mbah and Uche Nnaji will engage in political negotiations to decide who flies the party flag in 2027 or contest the party primaries to choose the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state. However, events of the past two weeks changed the political configuration in the state; as Uche Nnaji was thrown under the bus and the APC structure handed over to the opposing camp, through the formation of a caretaker committee headed by Dr. Ben Nwonye, former chairman of the state executive and key figure in the anti-Uche Nnaji camp. 

    One thing is certain, Uche Nnaji, Peter Mbah and Ben Nwonye are Nkanu men, so their rivalry could be described as sibling squabble. Do I hear you say, I’m trivializing a serious issue? Remember, the positions they are contesting are transient and there is life after politics. Do I hear you, again, saying the actions were unfair? Sometimes, discussing equity and fairness with Nigerian politicians seems like discussing law and order with a crime boss. My advice, therefore, is that the political game should be played with caution, making provision for the morning after. Their followers should be cautious, avoiding actions and utterances capable of complicating matters. We are all people of Enugu State and should be our brother’s keeper. Say No to politics of bitterness.

    Political parties in this Republic are besieged with the crisis of internal management. Parties are run by ‘Big Men’, godfathers or in most instances holders of executive power at both central and state levels. The parties, which are important instruments of democracy, are themselves undemocratic. The principles of fairness, transparency and internal democracy, which are core in the evolution and development of political parties, are flagrantly undermined by party leaders and their collaborators. In particular, party conventions and candidate selection processes are characterized with corruption, imposition and confrontations of various sorts. In essence, candidates for both party positions and general elections are not allowed to compete freely and fairly as provided for even in the constitutions of the parties. This trend makes parties in Nigeria a major source of confrontational politics.

     Richard Vengrolf (1993) asserted that: Whether or not a party system significantly contributes to the political process of a country is linked to the several factors, including the development and the maintenance of strong party organization with the depth and breadth necessary for their operations, and the degree of the institutionalization of the party as indicated by its historical roots, longevity, and survival and continuing support. The ability to meet these conditions is indicative of their strength, their future survival and success and their potential contribution to the institutionalization of democratic government.

    •Onovo, an engineer sent this from Lekki, Lagos. jekwuonovo@gmail.com

  • Rights groups, Enugu disagree over alleged ₦50,000 justice review fee

    Rights groups, Enugu disagree over alleged ₦50,000 justice review fee

    Two leading human rights organisations, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), have accused the Enugu Ministry of Justice of demanding a ₦50,000 “review fee” before accepting a petition seeking a review of a criminal case, a claim the state government has strongly denied.

    In a joint petition dated October 7, 2025 to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the groups described the alleged demand as a “shocking case of injustice and official misconduct” that undermines citizens’ faith in the state’s justice system.

    According to the petition, signed by RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, and CRRAN’s President, Barr. Olu Omotayo, the alleged fee demand arose when their representatives attempted to submit a petition over what they described as the “wrongful arrest and prosecution” of one Mr. Godwin Odey, a 27-year-old OND graduate from Benue State.

    Odey is facing charges of murder and unlawful possession of Indian hemp (Charge Nos. MEN/566C/2025 and MEN/565C/2025) after his arrest at Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area, on September 20, 2025. 

    The police reportedly claimed that Indian hemp was found in the vehicle he boarded while returning from a friend’s traditional wedding.

    “Credible evidence and witness accounts confirm that Mr. Odey was at the wedding ceremony throughout the period the alleged crime was committed. He was simply a victim of police extortion gone wrong,” the petition stated.

    RULAAC and CRRAN alleged that officials in the Attorney-General’s office refused to accept their petition unless the ₦50,000 payment was made. 

    They called on Governor Mbah to order a full-scale investigation into the matter, discipline any officials involved, and direct the immediate review of Odey’s case to avert a miscarriage of justice.

    Read Also: PDP crashes in Enugu as Mbah, others join APC Tuesday

    “It is inconceivable that an office established to uphold justice would impose a monetary barrier before receiving a public petition, especially one concerning a potential miscarriage of justice in a capital offence,” the rights groups stated.

    However, the Enugu State Government has denied the allegations, describing them as “wicked, false, and malicious.”

    In a statement on Friday by the Director of Information at the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, the government said no such fee exists and that the Ministry of Justice does not charge for receiving or reviewing petitions from citizens.

    “The Ministry only requires practitioners applying for certified true copies, fiats, and related reviews to pay statutory processing fees into prescribed government accounts, as obtained in other public institutions,” Nebo clarified.

    He explained that the processing fees do not apply to crime victims or lawyers acting pro bono, adding that such payments are long-standing administrative charges that do not go into private pockets.

    The statement described the rights groups’ claims as “a smear campaign by detractors opposed to the government’s reform-driven justice agenda,” while reaffirming that “justice in Enugu State remains free, accessible, and transparent.”

    It further commended the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, for his “impeccable integrity” and listed ongoing justice reforms, including digitalisation of court processes, establishment of citizens’ rights and mediation centres across LGAs, and creation of the Witness Support Fund.

    “All complaints and petitions are treated 100 percent free of charge and expeditiously. The Mbah administration is committed to ensuring justice delivery that is fair, efficient, and transparent,” the government insisted.

  • NGO, partners tackle textile waste in FCT, Enugu

    NGO, partners tackle textile waste in FCT, Enugu

    A non-profit organisation, The People’s Project for Social and Climate Justice (TPP) has collaborated with the Rotaract Club of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Lugbe and SustyVibes Enugu to tackle textile waste in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Enugu.

    The collaboration was part of activities to mark World Clean-Up Day 2025 with a series of hands-on activities in Abuja and Enugu.

    The events, held at Kuchingoro Community – a suburb in the nation’s capital and at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), focused on addressing the global issue of textile waste, in alignment with this year’s World Clean-Up Day theme: “Strive for Five-Tackling Textile and Fashion Waste through Circular Fashion.”

    The Abuja clean-up started with a community-wide effort in Kuchingoro.

    The event brought together community leaders, residents, to clean areas ranging from the Chief’s Palace to the local market, roads, and government secondary school (GSS) Kuchingoro.

    The team’s collaboration with local leaders demonstrated the power of community action in tackling waste challenges.

    Beyond the physical clean-up, the event also included an educational awareness session for over 50 children.

    Programs and Partnership Lead at The People’s Project, Gloria Ukamaka Christopher emphasized the importance of community involvement in creating lasting change.

    She noted: “You can’t achieve change unless you carry the community along,”

    The Chief of Kuchingoro, Alkali Dakaci Ibrahim Wamba, expressed gratitude for the initiative, praising The People’s Project for its timely action and commitment to environmental change.

    Principal of GSS Kuchingoro, Mrs. Mbanefo Theresa Ngozi also thanked the team for choosing her school, noting her excitement to see how the children would apply their new knowledge.

    In Enough, the organisation took its awareness about waste management, sustainability, and the impact of textile waste on the environment to UNN.

    Speaking at the event, a representative of SustyVibes, Sedy Isaac said: “We are saving the planet. A greener environment begins with us. We have only one planet, and it’s our duty to protect it.”

    Also speaking, a representative of TPP said: Deborah Osonuga: “With clean people, achieving clean cities is possible.”

    A representative of Enugu State Waste Management Board, Mr. Tobechukwu said: “A cleaner tomorrow is possible, it depends on our efforts to ensure that.”

    A student of the university, Student, Emmanulla Chinecherem: “Our drainages are not refuse dump sites. To foster a healthy environment, I have to dispose of waste carefully.”

    The clean-up covered several key areas on campus, including the Love Garden, Old Refectories, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Manua Bus Stops, and the Faculty of Law.

    The team worked diligently to collect and sort waste into plastic, sewage, and solid waste categories.

    Over 30 bags of waste were collected, significantly reducing litter within the university environment.

    The program also provided an opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful conversations with students about the importance of waste management and its effects on public health and the environment.

    Many students expressed gratitude and curiosity about the initiative, eager to learn more about how they could contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.

    Ends****

  • Tension as gunmen murder Catholic priest in Enugu

    Tension as gunmen murder Catholic priest in Enugu

    • Enugu condemns killing, places N10m bounty on killers

    Theere is palpable tension in Enugu State over the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

    The incident occurred on Friday evening on the Eha-Alumona-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area. 

    Fr. Eya was until his death the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu.

    Initial reports had suggested that the assailants were kidnappers who attacked the cleric while he was travelling. 

    A viral post on social media claimed that he was killed instantly after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, while some passengers were abducted.

    However, sources in the community told newsmen on Saturday morning that the killing appeared to be a targeted assassination.

    Read Also: CCII rallies Ibadan indigenes for Ladoja’s coronation

    According to one source, the priest was driving alone when the attackers, who rode on motorbikes, intercepted him near the site of the ongoing Type C hospital project.

     “They shot and deflated his tyres, forcing the vehicle to stop.

    “They then approached and shot him multiple times at close range.

    “This does not look like a kidnapping situation,” the source stated.

     The deceased priest hailed from Ugbaike in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

    Confirming the tragic development, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss.

     “Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet with total submission to the will of the Almighty God and firm hope in the resurrection of the dead, that I inform you of the tragic death of yet another brother of ours, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya.

     “He was shot dead yesterday, 19 September 2025, along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu Road.

    “Let us remain ardent in prayer that God sees us through this period of devastating anguish.

    “May his soul rest in peace. Amen,” the statement read.

    Enugu condemns killing, places ₦10m bounty on killers

     The Enugu State Government strongly condemned the gruesome killing of Rev. Fr. Eya in a statement yesterday.

     The government also commiserated with the deceased priest’s immediate family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka and the Catholic faithful in general over the tragic incident.

     In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government described the action as cowardly and cold-blooded.

     The government reiterated that security of lives and property remains its priority and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

     It added that it would not spare any resources within its reach, including technology and credible intelligence, to track down the criminals and defeat the remnant agents of evil in the state.

     Consequently, the Enugu State Government has placed a ₦10 million reward for anyone with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

     “Anybody with credible information about the perpetrators should quickly contact 07077451426,” the statement said.

  • Tension as gunmen murder Catholic priest in Enugu

    Tension as gunmen murder Catholic priest in Enugu

    There is palpable tension in Enugu State following the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

    The incident occurred on Friday evening along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area. 

    Fr. Eya, until his death, was the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu.

    Initial reports had suggested that the assailants were kidnappers who attacked the cleric while he was travelling. 

    A viral post on social media claimed that he was killed instantly after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, while some passengers were abducted.

    However, sources in the community told newsmen on Saturday morning that the killing appeared to be a targeted assassination.

    According to one source, the priest was driving alone when the attackers, who rode on motorbikes, intercepted him near the site of the ongoing Type C hospital project.

    “They shot and deflated his tyres, forcing the vehicle to stop. They then approached and shot him multiple times at close range. This does not look like a kidnapping situation,” the source stated.

    The late priest hailed from Ugbaike, in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

    Confirming the tragic development, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss.

    “Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet with total submission to the will of the Almighty God and firm hope in the resurrection of the dead, that I inform you of the tragic death of yet another brother of ours, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya. 

    “He was shot dead yesterday, 19 September 2025, along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu Road. Let us remain ardent in prayer that God sees us through this period of devastating anguish. May his soul rest in peace. Amen,” the statement reads.

  • A breath of fresh leadership: Why Josef Onoh stands poised to rescue Enugu from stagnation in 2027

    A breath of fresh leadership: Why Josef Onoh stands poised to rescue Enugu from stagnation in 2027

    By Paul Anigbogu 

    ‎As the sun sets on Peter Mbah’s first term as Governor of Enugu State, the political horizon for 2027 is already crackling with anticipation. Amid whispers of defections, scandals, and a palpable undercurrent of disillusionment, one figure emerges not as a mere contender, but as a beacon of principled renewal: Dr. Josef Onoh. The former Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), ex-Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and tireless spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign in the South East, Onoh has thrown his hat into the ring for the state’s top job. His decision to challenge Mbah—potentially under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner—signals a seismic shift in Enugu’s political landscape, one that could finally align the Coal City State’s ambitions with national progress.

    ‎This is no quixotic bid.  a telling picture of Onoh’s momentum, his grassroots appeal in a zone where Mbah’s PDP has long held sway. Analysts now peg Onoh’s odds at a favorable 55-45 split against Mbah in early 2027 polls, bolstered by growing APC defections from the PDP and Labour Party. This edge isn’t pulled from thin air; it’s rooted in a swelling public backlash against Mbah’s governance style, which has morphed from ambitious promises to a litany of controversies that have eroded trust and fueled calls for change.

    ‎ *The Tide Turning Against Mbah: A Style of Politics That Alienates More Than It Inspires* 

    ‎Peter Mbah swept into office in 2023 with a vision to balloon Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, touting private-sector savvy and infrastructure overhauls. Yet, two years in, the shine has dulled under the weight of heavy-handed tactics and unresolved scandals. Public sentiment, once cautiously optimistic, has soured into outright frustration, as evidenced by a surge in social media outcry and stakeholder petitions. X (formerly Twitter) threads brim with accusations of “brutish governance,” where demolitions of markets and homes—ostensibly for urban renewal—have displaced thousands without adequate compensation or relocation plans. One viral post lamented, “Lives were lost because properties were forcefully confiscated… With the amount of money coming into this state, Enugu has no business living in excruciating pain.”

    ‎The Sujimoto scandal has been the tipping point. In September 2025, revelations emerged that Mbah’s administration paid N5.7 billion to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for “Smart Schools,” only for integrity tests to flag structural flaws on multiple sites, leading to demolitions. The South-East Youths Stakeholders Forum demanded a forensic audit, decrying a “disturbing pattern of abuse of due process” and “systemic corruption.” Minister Uche Nnaji, himself a 2023 APC gubernatorial aspirant and Mbah rival, amplified this by vowing to expose further financial improprieties, calling the Sujimoto payout “small compared to what was going on.” Even Mbah’s defenders concede his low-key publicity style borders on opacity, with critics on X accusing him of dismissing valid concerns as “armchair criticism” rather than engaging empathetically.

    ‎This isn’t mere opposition noise. Polls from local think tanks show Mbah’s approval dipping to 48% in urban Enugu, down from 62% post-inauguration, driven by perceptions of arrogance and a “recluse” demeanor that shuns constructive dialogue. Rumors of his PDP-to-APC defection swirl, but without Onoh’s bridge-building clout, it risks fracturing alliances further. In this cauldron of discontent, Onoh’s odds brighten: his national political exposure hints at a 2027 upset, especially as APC gains traction on anti-corruption and federal alignment promises.

    ‎ *Onoh’s Wealth of Experience: A Resume That Outshines the Competition* 

    ‎What sets Onoh apart isn’t just timing—it’s pedigree. Born in the UK to the legendary Chief Christian Onoh, architect of modern Enugu’s creation as a state in 1991, Josef Onoh embodies a legacy of service fused with contemporary grit. A clinical psychologist and hospitality expert, his career spans private enterprise, state-level reforms, and national advocacy, offering Enugu a leader who thinks globally but acts locally.

    ‎Consider his tenure as ECTDA Chairman (2019–2023), where Onoh enforced the Enugu master plan with unyielding resolve. He bulldozed illegal structures, including the National Youth Council edifice, restoring urban sanity amid howls from violators—actions that, while controversial, laid the groundwork for the very International Conference Centre (ICC) Mbah now touts as a flagship project. Onoh’s advocacy as Special Adviser on Special Projects under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi directly revived the long-abandoned ICC, luring federal intervention from Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika to integrate it with Akanu Ibiam International Airport upgrades. Mbah inherited this polished gem; Onoh forged it.

    ‎In the Enugu State House of Assembly (2003–2007), Onoh chaired the finance and appropriation Committee, auditing state finances with forensic precision and exposing graft that saved millions. His private sector chops shine through too: as a UK- member of institute of hospitality, he’s consulted on hospitality ventures, blending empathy with efficiency—skills that turned Enugu-Ngwo’s political accords into equitable rotations, preventing intra-community strife. Nationally, as Tinubu’s South East spokesman, Onoh mobilized the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE) in 2024, countering regional threats and securing Igbo inclusion in federal appointments, like his sister Bianca Ojukwu’s ministerial role.

    ‎Contrast this with Mbah, whose banking and oil background (CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas) excels in spreadsheets but falters in people-centric governance, as seen in his combative responses to criticism. Or Uche Nnaji, the Innovation Minister and 2023 APC flagbearer, whose technocratic vision is admirable but lacks Onoh’s deep Enugu roots—Nnaji’s 2023 loss exposed his limited grassroots pull. Other aspirants, like Frank Nweke Jr. (ex-Minister) or Bartholomew Nnaji (Power czars), bring federal heft but pale in local legislative and urban renewal experience. Onoh? He’s the full package: a hybrid who sanitized Enugu’s core while building bridges to Abuja.

    ‎ *Selling Onoh: Why He’s the Unrivaled Choice for Enugu’s Renaissance* 

    ‎Enugu deserves more than recycled promises; it needs a governor who delivers equity, innovation, and unity. Onoh’s blueprint—rooted in his ECTDA triumphs and ARMSE strategy—positions him as the antidote to Mbah’s missteps and rivals’ gaps. Here’s why he’s the superior bet:

    ‎1. **Proven Urban and Infrastructure Mastery**: Onoh didn’t just dream of a gleaming Enugu; he enforced it. His ECTDA bulldozers reclaimed violated master plans, curbing haphazard growth that plagued predecessors. As governor, he’d accelerate Mbah’s inherited ICC into a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hub, generating 50,000 jobs via tourism linkages—far beyond Nnaji’s tech focus, which risks alienating rural Enugu. Onoh’s psychology training ensures community buy-in, avoiding Mbah’s demolition debacles.

    ‎2. **Fiscal Discipline and Anti-Corruption Steel**: As Public Accounts chair, Onoh unearthed embezzlement rings, saving Enugu from fiscal black holes. Unlike Mbah’s Sujimoto opacity, Onoh mandates transparent audits, channeling funds to 260 promised Smart Schools without scandals. His private ventures honed lean management; expect a $30 billion GDP push via diversified mining (Enugu’s coal legacy) and agro-processing, outpacing Mbah’s uneven execution.

    ‎3. **Inclusive, Empathetic Governance**: Onoh’s accord-brokering in Enugu North averted zoning wars, fostering peace Mbah’s “brutish” style ignites. A listener by training, he’d host town halls, not Twitter defenses, rebuilding trust now eroded.

    ‎4. **Economic Diversification with Heart**: Onoh’s hospitality expertise would transform Enugu into a South East gateway, leveraging the airport-ICC synergy he birthed. The Woodland Park zoo he personally funded being the only privately owned zoo in the southeast in full compliance with world association of zoos and aquariums enclosure recommended standards. Unlike Mbah’s urban bias, Onoh prioritizes Nsukka’s agro-belts, with a family background in Agriculture in the then Rexonoh agro industries which was one of the largest agricultural companies in Nigeria in the 80s it created over  20,000 farm jobs during its existence — a holistic edge over Nnaji’s innovation silos.

    ‎5. **Youth and Women Empowerment**: Drawing from his assembly days, Onoh champions gender quotas in contracts, ensuring women lead 30% of state projects. His foundation work echoes Mbah’s philanthropy but scales it statewide, with mental health initiatives tackling post-demolition trauma.

    ‎In sum, Onoh isn’t a disruptor; he’s a completer—of his father’s state-building dream, of Ugwuanyi’s foundations, and of Enugu’s untapped potential. Mbah leveraged Onoh’s ICC revival for photo-ops; Onoh would govern it for prosperity.

    ‎ *Onoh as Governor: A Win-Win for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope* 

    ‎Beyond Enugu, Onoh’s victory would supercharge President Tinubu’s 2027 bid. As ARMSE founder, he’s already pledged: “I cannot deliver Enugu for the president without Mbah’s cooperation”—a unity call that could flip the state APC-ward, breaking South East’s PDP stranglehold. His federal ties ensure seamless fund flows for rail extensions and power grids, aligning Enugu with Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy goal. Nnaji’s loyalty is noted, but Onoh’s Enugu-East and Enugu west senatorial zones trinity (dual senatorial roots) commands broader coalitions, shielding Tinubu from zonal fractures.

    ‎In 2027, Enugu won’t settle for more scandals or style over substance. Dr. Josef Onoh offers experience, empathy, and execution—a leader who turns inheritance into legacy. As public ire mounts, his favorable odds aren’t luck; they’re earned. Ndi Enugu, the choice is clear: Onoh for a state reborn. 

    Mr. Anigbogu is the Chairman, Contact & Mobilization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State_