
Politics
Osun Election: APC, Accord wage N20,000-per-vote war
The All Progressives Congress and Accord Party have been accused of engaging in a vote-buying jamboree across Osun State as agents of both parties offer voters between N10,000 and N20,000 ahead of today’s governorship election.
Unlike previous elections, the vote-buying started six days before the poll, according to Saturday Punch.
Some voters said the parties also collected the account numbers of thousands of voters a week before the election, with plans to credit them after voting.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is being challenged by Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress and nine other contestants.
A total of 1,906,390 voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards are expected to participate in the election.

Findings by our correspondents revealed that both Accord and the APC started distributing cash between Monday and Tuesday.
In some instances, the voter inducement, which included the distribution of food items and cash gifts, was laced with spirituality, as beneficiaries were forced to swear an oath to vote for the candidate of the party providing the items.
Our correspondents also came across viral videos in which supporters of Adeleke and Oyebamiji openly distributed cash, salt, rice and other items while asking beneficiaries not to betray them at the poll.
Ilesa
Voters in Ilesa told Saturday PUNCH that the APC was disbursing N20,000 per voter across polling units in Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Atakunmosa East LGAs.
According to some of the beneficiaries, the money was being distributed at the house of an appointed APC chieftain in each polling unit.
The voters disclosed that the vote-buying began on Tuesday and lasted until Friday.
One of the beneficiaries, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “I collected my N20,000 at the Bonnke area of Ilesa on Wednesday. The cash was in N1,000 and N500 denominations. We had over 200 voters and it was done unit by unit. I collected mine around 11am at the bungalow belonging to one of the APC chieftains in our unit.”
A human rights activist in Ilesa, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, confirmed the vote-buying.
“At the Coca-Cola area, people were given N20,000 each at one particular storey building. But you have to show your voter card before being paid.
“At Abiola Avenue, APC members gave N20,000 to each voter. I was there. The storey building where the money was shared belongs to an APC leader in the area,” he said.
At Iroye and Imo areas of Ilesa, it was gathered that the APC was distributing rice and an undisclosed amount of money to voters.
“I saw them. They are APC supporters. They provided money and rice, but I don’t know the exact amount they were distributing. They were cursing the beneficiaries, saying it would not be well with them if they failed to vote for AMBO after collecting the money,” a student leader in Iroye said.
Saturday PUNCH also gathered that while the APC was giving out N20,000, Accord was disbursing N10,000 to voters.
It was learnt that at Olowu Village in Atakunmosa East LGA, Accord distributed N10,000 and asked beneficiaries to swear an oath of allegiance three weeks ago.
One of the community leaders told Saturday PUNCH that Accord leaders were distributing the money without fear of arrest.
Some other residents in Ilesa also confirmed that the ruling party had begun distributing N10,000 at Ifofin, Iloro and Okesa, among other parts of the city, since Tuesday.
Speaking in the development, an APC chieftain in Ilesa West LGA confirmed the inducement but claimed it was meant for transportation.
“We are not buying votes. We only provided them with cash to transport themselves to their various polling units,” he said.
Osogbo
In Osogbo LGA, our correspondents gathered that the APC distributed N15,000 each to some voters across polling units in all 15 wards.
An APC chieftain involved in the distribution told one of our correspondents that the party appointed three leaders in each ward to coordinate the exercise.
The APC chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Thursday, said, “We targeted 150 voters in every unit. We gave N15,000 each to 75 voters on Wednesday, and another 75 voters received N15,000 each on Thursday.
“That was not really for vote-buying; it was for feeding before election day. We know what to do on election day.”
Iwo
It was gathered that N700,000 was budgeted for vote-buying in each of the 170 polling units across the 15 wards in Iwo LGA by the APC.
According to an APC chieftain familiar with the process, the cash distribution began on Tuesday and was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report on Friday.
“A sum of N700,000 was provided per polling unit, and we have been distributing it at N15,000 per voter since Tuesday. We are systematic about it because the Accord Party is also distributing money,” he said.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that in Aiyedire LGA, Accord started distributing N10,000 to eligible voters across polling units on Monday.
“Both APC and Accord are distributing money, but APC has the upper hand because it is paying N15,000 against Accord’s N10,000. As for me, I collected from both parties in my polling unit at Ward 2 in Ileogbo,” a voter said on condition of anonymity on Thursday.
Similarly, over 200 women in Ileogbo, the headquarters of Aiyedire LGA, were offered N10,000 each by a group that asked them to vote for the APC.
In Ila, the headquarters of Ila LGA, it was gathered that both Accord and the APC had been inducing voters with cash ranging from N15,000 to N20,000.
While the APC was reportedly offering N15,000 per eligible voter, Accord offered N20,000.
The inducement, according to residents, began on Monday.
A resident said that he and his wife collected N20,000 each from Accord leaders.
“We were asked to swear an oath that we would vote for Adeleke. But we didn’t take any oath. So many others were given N10,000,” he said.
Another resident, who identified himself as Isaac Ibirogba, said Accord initially offered N10,000 per eligible voter before increasing it to N20,000 on Tuesday, while the APC was offering N15,000.
In Ile-Ife, a member of the Hausa community who also spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the APC was offering N15,000, while Accord offered N10,000 per voter.
He said both parties also requested Permanent Voter Cards before making payments.
“The APC people came to Sabo on Wednesday and, after interacting with some of us, they brought a bag containing cash. They requested our PVCs, but we told them we couldn’t give them. At the end of the day, they gave each of us N15,000. We were about 60,” he said.
Also, a medical doctor residing in the Iremo area of Ife said the APC began its cash distribution on Tuesday.
“I am aware that both parties started their cash distribution on Tuesday. Some of my people in Sabo, Ilare, Oluorogbo and Enuwa collected the money. APC offered N15,000, while Accord paid N10,000,” he said.
Ikire
In Ikire, the hometown of the APC candidate, Saturday PUNCH learnt that both the APC and the Accord Party were inducing voters with cash gifts ranging from N10,000 to N20,000.
A resident of the town, Oreoluwa Tolulope, said supporters of Oyebamiji and those of the senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Lere Oyewumi, flooded all the wards in the town with cash.
“APC is offering N15,000, while Accord is providing N10,000. They started about a week ago,” he said.
It was gathered that in Boluwaduro LGA, the Accord Party was offering N10,000 per eligible voter and asking beneficiaries to swear by the Ogun deity that they would vote for Adeleke.
However, the APC had yet to commence cash distribution as of the time of filing this report, although two chieftains in the council said the party had budgeted N10,000 per voter.
In Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, Accord started distributing N10,000 to eligible voters as far back as two weeks ago, according to many residents.
It was learnt that the party initially asked voters to form groups of 100 and offered each group N1m before resorting to paying N10,000 to individuals at polling units.
Similarly, the APC began offering N15,000 per eligible voter on Tuesday in a move aimed at attracting more voters.
One of the APC leaders in Ede, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday, said, “The Adeleke people have been distributing N10,000 for the past two weeks. We waited to see how far they could go, and we decided to give them a run for their money. We started distributing N15,000 on Tuesday, and that will continue until election day.”
Last week, an APC chieftain, Alhaja Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, was seen in a viral video distributing bags of rice to women and urging them to vote for Oyebamiji.
She also placed curses on anyone, especially women, who collected the rice but failed to vote for the APC candidate.
Similarly, some voters were seen taking an oath while collecting cash to vote for Adeleke.
Police warn against vote-buying
Meanwhile, the police warned politicians and voters against vote-buying, saying anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Okokon Iniedu, stated this on Friday while speaking with journalists at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo after addressing officers deployed for the election.
He described vote-buying as an electoral offence that would not be tolerated.
Iniedu also pledged adequate security for INEC ad hoc staff and National Youth Service Corps members throughout the electoral process.
Eight killed in one week, soldiers deployed
Saturday PUNCH gathered that no fewer than eight persons were killed between Monday night and the early hours of Friday in Ilesa and Esa-Oke.
At about 8pm on Monday, three persons identified simply as Idowu, Yinka and Eja were killed around the Imo area of Ilesa.
Similarly, two persons were killed around the Boluwaduro area of Ilesa on Wednesday.
An Accord supporter in Ilesa, Sunday Obube, and another person were also reportedly killed by suspected political thugs on Thursday.
In the same vein, Dele Ayegbo, a nephew of the APC Governorship Campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, was reportedly killed in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, on Wednesday.
Also, gunmen reportedly shot dead one Osaretine Obasohan at Oni Eran Area, Ilesa on Friday.
Residents said Obasohan was walking on the road when the assailants, said to be travelling in a vehicle, shot him at close range.
During a telephone interview, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the killing, which he linked to cult clashes.
“He (victim) was also suspected to be a cultist. The incident happened early this morning (Friday) around 7am at Omi Eran area,” he added.
Checks by the reporter indicated that soldiers with Armoured Personnel Carrier were deployed in the Osun/Kwara boundary in Ora, Ifedayo LGA over rising tension in the state.
Soldiers were also deployed in large numbers to Esa-Oke, Ilesa, Ikoyi, a community along Osun/Oyo, and Owens, an Osun/Ondo boundary community, among others.
Commenting on the deployment of security to especially flash points across the state.
Adeleke, Oyebamiji camps trade tackles over planned attacks
Also, the campaign council of the APC on Friday accused Governor Adeleke of keeping suspected hoodlums in the Government House in Osogbo.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, a member of the media committee of the APC campaign council, Kehinde Ayantunji, called on the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Director General of Department of Service, Adeola Ajayi, to immediately act on the complaint before the suspects were relocated to another place.
“As I am talking to you now, we have intelligence that a large number of political thugs have been mobilised into the Government House. In the last two hours, they have been moving in and out, and our intelligence has confirmed that most of these people are not from these states.
“The two individuals who led those thugs are Olowe and Iberu; these are the codenames given to them at the Government House this afternoon.
“We have no hesitation in concluding that some of these suspected political thugs are imported from Lagos with the registration numbers of these five groups. We are not just raising this alarm, we have double-checked our intelligence and we have pictorial evidence of what we are saying here this afternoon.
“The target is simple, having realised the imminent defeat in the state’s capital territory, that is Osogbo, Irepodun and Egbedore, the agenda is to mobilise them with funds and ammunition to destabilise Ward 5, Osogbo Local Government; Ward 4, Ward 8, Okini, in Egbedore Local Government, Ido Osun, and Ofatedo Local Government,” Ayantunji said.
However, the Accord Party bemoaned alleged statewide attacks on members and supporters and the attendant consequences on their lives and property across the state.
The state chairman of the party, Pastor Victor Akande, raised the alarm that political thugs had continued to unleash mayhem on members and supporters of his party, alleging that in addition to the killings, several others were wounded and were receiving treatment across different local government areas of the state.
Akande, in a statement on Friday, alleged that several houses across the state had also been attacked, vandalised and looted, while some had been pencilled for attack ahead of the election.
He said, “At Osogbo, five names of top appointees of Accord candidate, Ademola Adeleke, have been pencilled down for attacks and arrest. As of yesterday (Thursday), a manhunt was launched for one of the top appointees. Heavily armed thugs launched sporadic gun attacks across Obokun LGA, Odo Otin LGA, Boripe LGA, Irewole LGA and several others.
“At Iree town, gun attacks took place all through the night with many Accord members injured while the palace of Aree of Iree was attacked with multiple gun attacks from all corners. Five injuries were reported in the palace. At Obokun, attacks and killings have continued unabated with several houses burnt at Esa Oke. The violence started two days ago with the security agencies unable to contain it.
“At Odo Otin, the attacks took place at Okuku and other towns with over 20 Accord members receiving treatment for various gunshots. At Ikire, the house of 25 Accord members were raided and their family members molested while the houses were openly vandalised. The attack did not spare the house of the Director General of the campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi.
“At Ifewara, a thug, who was arrested and later released, was reported to have coordinated sporadic attacks on the Accord members and their residences. Several injuries were reported.”
Election may not be credible — YIAGA Africa
Analysing the events leading to the election, the Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, expressed concern that the outcome of the poll might not be credible, citing widespread vote-buying and violence.
He lamented what he described as the “alarming rate” of voter inducement and political violence, condemning the development as the weaponisation of poverty and the monetisation of politics.
Itodo warned that attempts to undermine electoral institutions and create an atmosphere of intimidation could affect the credibility of the election.
“YIAGA Africa is very worried about the alarming rate of voter inducement and violence in the build-up to this election. This weaponisation of poverty and attempt to monetise politics is highly disturbing, and we urge voters to vote their conscience.
“When politics is determined by the highest bidder and the highest tender, what suffers is governance, transparency, integrity and accountability,” he said.
Itodo also raised concerns over the level of violence recorded in the state, noting that 34 deaths had been linked to the build-up to the election.
“Osun is currently tense and highly competitive, signposted by violence. When you have attempts to undermine institutions from performing their constitutional functions, what you get is a questionable outcome,” he added. Saturday PUNcH
Politics
Enugu APC Targets Total Victory as Campaign Council Unveils 2027 Strategy
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled an operational framework to coordinate its 51 directorates and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Peter Mbah and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The strategy was unveiled on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, following a high-powered meeting of the campaign council’s directors, three zonal secretaries and three Deputy Directors-General representing the senatorial zones.
Those in attendance included Deacon Okey Ogbodo (Enugu East), Dr. Dan Shere (Enugu North) and SKE Udeh-Okoye (Enugu West). The meeting was presided over by the council’s Director-General, Chief Dr. Charles Mbah, while the Secretary-General, Dr. Eric Oluedo, was also in attendance.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the council’s spokesperson, Barr. Steve Oruruo, said the gathering was convened to define the responsibilities of each directorate, eliminate operational overlaps and establish a coordinated structure for the campaign.
According to him, Chief Mbah used the meeting to motivate members and emphasise the importance of commitment, discipline and effective coordination in achieving the council’s objectives.

“The template provided at the meeting is intended to streamline the responsibilities of each directorate, prevent overlaps and avoid unnecessary friction. Each directorate will have clearly defined functions and be accountable for delivering results through regular feedback, monitoring and checks and balances,” Oruruo said.
He explained that the council was deliberately expanded to accommodate a broad spectrum of stakeholders across the state, including influential political leaders, elders, youths, professionals and individuals from different political backgrounds who have embraced Governor Mbah’s leadership.
He said the objective was to build a formidable campaign structure capable of reaching every part of the state and sustaining widespread support for the APC through effective communication of the achievements of the Tinubu and Mbah administrations.
“The intention is to build a massive campaign structure capable of reaching every part of the state. Members are expected to trigger robust and overwhelming dominance of the political space through informed conversation on the flawless performance status of Mbah’s administration in support of the APC,” he said.
Oruruo added that the council was determined to secure victory across all elective positions, stressing that its ambition extended beyond the presidential and governorship contests to include the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections.
“The ultimate objective is to bring the different contributions together towards securing a massive and unprecedented electoral victory for the APC at all levels,” he stated.
He said the council would prioritise direct engagement with voters, urging members to communicate the achievements of the Tinubu and Mbah administrations using facts, documented evidence and measurable results rather than emotional appeals.
On the performance of the Mbah administration, Oruruo said the governor’s achievements in economic development and other critical sectors had strengthened public confidence in his leadership and attracted growing interest from investors, including those in the diaspora.
He maintained that the administration’s performance, as reflected in rankings by the National Bureau of Statistics and other credible institutions, had provided the campaign council with compelling evidence to present to voters.
The council comprises 51 directorates covering key areas such as administration, finance, fundraising, public communication, media, new media and strategic communication, research and strategy, election planning and coordination, security, legal services, mobilisation, logistics, welfare, medical services, voters’ education, inter-party affairs, peace and reconciliation, trade unions and market associations, persons with disabilities and non-indigene coordination.
Other directorates focus on corporate and private-sector coordination, parliamentary mobilisation, event management and venue management, among other responsibilities.
Oruruo said the various units were expected to work collaboratively through effective communication, monitoring and accountability to ensure that the size and diversity of the council did not undermine its operational efficiency.
Among those who attended the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Enugu State APC Chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike; Chairman of the Enugu State Tourism Board, Rita Mbah; Commissioner for Transport, Ricky Agu; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr. Ugochi Madueke; and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ngozi Eni.
Other political leaders and stakeholders included Barr. Charles Egumgbe, the party’s pioneer state chairman in 1998 and current Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Vita Abba; the state APC Secretary, Chukwudi Nnadozie; Ogbo Asogwa; and Joe Mammel.
The council’s Director of Non-Indigenes, Chief Cosmas Agagbo (Okpoka N’Abba), reaffirmed the community’s commitment to the APC and Governor Mbah, pledging massive mobilisation for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the governor’s performance had strengthened their confidence in his administration and provided compelling reasons for the community to rally behind him and the APC.
The meeting was attended by directors and representatives of the various campaign units, who deliberated on the operational framework, coordination mechanisms and the council’s target of delivering an across-the-board APC victory in Enugu State.
Editorial
MANIFESTO: Mbah Presents Governance Scorecard, Highlights Enugu’s Progress, Sets $30bn Economic Growth Target
…Lists achievements in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, aviation, agriculture; urges Ndi Enugu to sustain transformation
By Tony Edike
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state into one of Nigeria’s leading economies, citing progress in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, aviation and industrial development.
Mbah said his administration had set a target of growing Enugu’s economy from approximately $4.4 billion to at least $30 billion within eight years, alongside a long-term ambition to eliminate poverty.
The governor stated this while presenting his administration’s manifesto performance scorecard at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, where he reviewed the state’s development journey since his assumption of office in May 2023 and outlined priorities for the years ahead.
In his address titled Our Commitment to Ndi Enugu: The Journey So Far, Mbah said his administration had taken deliberate steps to address the challenges inherited in 2023 while laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

He identified security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, productive industries and effective public institutions as the pillars of the administration’s development agenda.
According to him, the government remains committed to measurable performance, accountability, transparency and public participation in governance.
1. Mbah Recalls Enugu’s Challenges in 2023, Says State Has Made Significant Progress
Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding his assumption of office in May 2023, Mbah recalled a period when economic activities were disrupted by sit-at-home restrictions, infrastructure was in poor condition, public services had deteriorated, and businesses were gradually losing confidence in the state.
He said the situation affected traders, small-business owners, students and other residents who depended on daily economic activities for their livelihoods.

The governor noted that Enugu, which had historically served as a major commercial, political and cultural centre in the South-East, was gradually losing its position as businesses and major events moved to other cities.
“Our greatest resource was already here: the people of Enugu. What was missing was a clear direction, the determination to pursue it, and a government prepared to take responsibility for the results,” he said.
Mbah explained that his administration had prioritised addressing the underlying challenges while creating conditions that would enable residents and businesses to maximise their potential.
He added that the government had adopted a development strategy designed to address interconnected problems rather than treating them in isolation.
2. Enugu Sets $30bn Economic Growth Target, Eyes Nigeria’s Top Three Economies
Mbah said his administration’s original Statement of Purpose established an ambitious target of growing Enugu’s economy from approximately $4.4 billion to at least $30 billion within eight years.
He said the objective was to position the state among Nigeria’s three leading economies while pursuing the long-term goal of eliminating poverty.
The governor acknowledged that achieving the target would require substantial investment in infrastructure, education, security, energy, agriculture, technology and industrial development.
He explained that economic growth could not be achieved sustainably without reliable electricity, accessible roads, secure business environments and a workforce equipped with relevant skills.

According to him, the administration’s development strategy is designed to create an environment in which businesses can expand, investors can operate with confidence, and young people can access meaningful employment opportunities.
Mbah stressed that the government would continue to assess its performance against measurable objectives rather than relying solely on public announcements.
He said projects and policies must produce tangible benefits that residents could see and experience.
3. Mbah: Restoring Security Was Essential to Reviving Enugu’s Economy
The governor identified security as one of the fundamental conditions necessary for restoring economic activity and attracting investment to Enugu State.
He said businesses could not thrive where residents were afraid to travel, traders could not open their shops, and parents were apprehensive about sending their children to school.
Mbah explained that the administration therefore prioritised restoring normalcy and creating a safer environment for residents, businesses and investors.
According to him, security improvements were necessary to support the broader development agenda, including road construction, education, agriculture, tourism and industrial expansion.
He noted that a functioning economy depends on the ability of people to move freely, transport goods, provide services and conduct business without unnecessary disruption.

The governor said restoring confidence in the state was essential to encouraging investment and repositioning Enugu as a destination for commerce and enterprise.
He added that security would remain a critical component of the administration’s efforts to sustain economic growth and improve residents’ quality of life.
4. Sit-at-Home: Mbah Highlights Restoration of Monday Economic Activities
Mbah cited the restoration of economic activities on Mondays as one of the significant changes since his administration assumed office.
He recalled that sit-at-home restrictions had affected traders, workers, students, transport operators and small-business owners, many of whom lost income whenever economic activities were suspended.
The governor illustrated the impact with the example of a market woman whose goods could deteriorate while customers remained at home, leaving her unable to earn money to support her family.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by young entrepreneurs who had borrowed money to establish businesses but lost an entire working day each week.

According to him, the restrictions also disrupted education, including the academic progress of students whose compulsory external examinations coincided with Mondays.
Mbah said the restoration of normal economic activities had enabled traders to plan their working weeks, businesses to receive customers and children to attend school.
“It may seem strange that we should celebrate something as ordinary as being able to go to work on Monday. But anyone who lived through those years understands its importance,” he said.
He described the restoration of normalcy as an important foundation for the state’s economic recovery.
5. Roads, Transport: Mbah Highlights Infrastructure Development Across Enugu
The governor said his administration had undertaken substantial road development and initiated improvements to the state’s transport system to facilitate movement and connect communities to economic opportunities.
He explained that the importance of road infrastructure should be measured not only by the kilometres constructed or the value of contracts awarded, but also by its impact on people’s daily lives.
According to him, good roads reduce travel difficulties, improve access to markets, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and help businesses operate more efficiently.
Mbah also highlighted the introduction of new buses and terminals as part of efforts to develop a more organised transport system.
He said the administration’s ambition was to make transportation safer, more comfortable and more dependable while improving connectivity across the state.
The governor added that infrastructure development would continue to focus on linking communities with emerging commercial centres and expanding access to economic opportunities.
He noted that improved transportation would support other sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and commerce.
6. Enugu Air: Governor Cites Growth in Flight Operations, Pledges Stronger Global Connections
Mbah said Enugu had recorded an increase in flight operations, noting that the state had moved from barely two incoming flights daily when he assumed office to more than 15, according to the administration’s recent review.
He attributed the development to renewed interest in the state and efforts to strengthen its aviation connections.
The governor said Enugu Air and the administration’s wider aviation plans were intended to improve connections between Enugu, other parts of Nigeria and international markets.
He explained that improved air connectivity would make it easier for investors to visit the state, businesses to reach customers and partners, and residents living outside the country to return home and participate in economic activities.
Mbah, however, acknowledged that aviation development alone would not transform the lives of residents in rural communities.
He said the government must ensure that opportunities generated by increased connectivity extended to other sectors and reached more people.
According to him, aviation infrastructure and services form part of the broader economic framework required to position Enugu as a competitive destination for business, tourism and investment.
7. 260 Smart Green Schools: Mbah Targets Quality Education Across All Wards
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education, describing investment in children’s abilities as one of the most important contributions government could make to the state’s future.
He highlighted the administration’s plan for 260 Smart Green Schools, designed to bring improved educational opportunities to every ward in Enugu State.
Mbah said the initiative was intended to bridge educational gaps between urban and rural communities and ensure that children from different backgrounds had access to quality learning.
He explained that changes in technology and the global economy required a new approach to education, with greater emphasis on independent thinking, problem-solving, communication and adaptability.
According to him, children entering school today must be prepared for a future in which technology will transform existing occupations and create entirely new industries.
The governor said the Smart Green Schools initiative was designed to provide a stronger foundation for children to pursue careers in engineering, software development, agriculture, healthcare, teaching and other fields.
He added that the government’s education investment must be matched by economic opportunities capable of absorbing skilled graduates.
Mbah stressed that educating young people without creating opportunities for them to apply their knowledge would undermine the state’s long-term development ambitions.
8. Agricultural Industrialisation: Mbah Seeks Greater Value for Enugu Farmers
Mbah said agriculture remained an important sector for Enugu’s economic development but noted that farmers continued to face challenges involving equipment, storage, processing facilities and market access.
He explained that many farmers worked hard and assumed considerable risks but received only a limited share of the final value generated by their produce.
The governor said the administration wanted to develop an agricultural economy in which more value was created and retained within the state through local processing and related industries.
Using cassava production as an example, he explained that processing agricultural produce locally could create additional employment opportunities beyond farming.
According to him, such activities could generate jobs for equipment operators, technicians, packaging workers, transporters and traders.
He said similar opportunities could emerge from other crops and agricultural products across Enugu, strengthening rural economies and increasing household incomes.
Mbah described agricultural industrialisation as a strategy for connecting farming with manufacturing, processing, logistics and commerce.
He added that developing these connections would help create a more productive economy while expanding opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and young people.
9. Power Supply, Industrial Investment Key to Enugu’s Economic Transformation — Mbah
The governor identified reliable electricity and industrial investment as essential components of his administration’s economic transformation agenda.
He said inadequate power supply could undermine the productivity of small businesses, food processors, manufacturers and other enterprises that depended on electricity to operate efficiently.
Mbah noted that reliable electricity could enable tailors to work more efficiently, food processors to preserve agricultural produce and manufacturers to operate equipment without constantly relying on expensive alternative power sources.
He said the administration had set out major ambitions for increasing electricity generation and attracting industrial investment.
According to him, these interventions were necessary to create the conditions for businesses to expand and new industries to emerge.
The governor acknowledged that some of the undertakings were long-term projects whose benefits would develop over several years.
He, however, maintained that the state could not afford to postpone investments required to strengthen its productive capacity.
Mbah said the administration would continue to pursue infrastructure and industrial policies capable of supporting economic diversification, job creation and improved living standards.
10. Healthcare: Mbah Pledges Improved Medical Services, Acknowledges Gaps
Mbah said his administration was working to improve healthcare delivery by strengthening primary healthcare facilities and investing in the wider systems needed to make medical services more effective.
He said the quality of healthcare should be assessed by the experiences of residents who need medical attention, particularly children, expectant mothers and elderly people.
According to him, access to medical services should not require families to travel unreasonable distances or shoulder financial burdens they cannot afford.
The governor acknowledged that more work remained to be done to ensure that healthcare improvements reached every community.
He also recognised that some residents were still waiting for completed roads, fully operational facilities and new economic opportunities.
“I understand that frustration. A government must be judged by the experiences of all its citizens, including those who have yet to see the full benefit of its work,” he said.
Mbah assured residents that the administration would continue its development programme while listening to public concerns and making necessary adjustments.
He stressed that healthcare investments must translate into practical improvements in the availability and accessibility of medical services.
11. Tourism, Hospitality, New City Projects to Create Jobs, Attract Investments — Mbah
The governor highlighted the administration’s plans to expand aviation connections, develop tourism destinations, attract major hospitality investments, improve electricity supply and establish new areas for business and residential development.
He said such projects were intended to strengthen Enugu’s attractiveness to investors, visitors and businesses while creating employment opportunities.
Mbah explained that tourism and hospitality investments could stimulate demand for services such as food supply, transportation, maintenance, laundry, construction and other related activities.
He said tourism destinations could also support local businesses and create opportunities for residents to participate in the wider economy.
According to him, improved electricity supply would further make the state more attractive for manufacturing and other productive enterprises.
The governor, however, stressed that government must do more than expect the benefits of major projects to spread automatically.
He said residents needed access to relevant skills, finance and business opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economic activities generated by such investments.
Mbah maintained that the objective was to ensure that major developments created opportunities for smaller enterprises and households across the state.
12. Mbah: Government Must Ensure Benefits of Major Projects Reach Communities
Mbah said the success of the administration’s development agenda would depend partly on its ability to ensure that the benefits of large investments extended to ordinary residents.
He explained that major projects should create opportunities for smaller businesses, entrepreneurs and communities rather than operate in isolation from the wider economy.
According to him, a new hotel should generate demand for local suppliers and service providers, while tourism destinations should support transportation businesses, food vendors and other enterprises.
Similarly, improved roads should enable farmers to reach markets more easily, while better electricity supply should support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
The governor said the administration must help residents acquire the skills, access the finance and establish the businesses required to take advantage of these opportunities.
He added that the government would continue to pursue policies intended to strengthen the relationship between large-scale investment and community-level economic development.
Mbah said the ultimate objective was to ensure that economic transformation produced tangible improvements in household incomes, employment and living standards.
13. Governor Identifies Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture as Drivers of Future Growth
The governor said Enugu must prepare for changes in the global economy by investing in sectors capable of generating productivity, employment and sustainable growth.
He identified technology, modern agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and other productive industries as important areas for future development.
Mbah noted that technological advances were changing how food was produced, goods were manufactured, businesses were managed and knowledge was shared.
He said states that invested in education, infrastructure, skills and productive enterprises would be better positioned to benefit from these changes.
According to him, Enugu’s young population, talented workforce, natural resources and entrepreneurial traditions provided a foundation for future growth.
He, however, warned that these advantages would not automatically translate into prosperity without deliberate planning and investment.
The governor said the administration’s priority was to strengthen the connections between education, skills development, business and industry.
He added that schools, training institutions, private businesses and government agencies must work together to prepare residents for emerging economic opportunities.
14. Mbah Urges Investment in Youth Skills to Prepare Enugu for Emerging Industries
Mbah called for greater investment in skills development to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship in emerging industries.
He said young people seeking to establish businesses needed more than encouragement, stressing that they also required relevant skills, access to finance, customers and dependable infrastructure.
The governor explained that the changing nature of work made it necessary for educational institutions and businesses to equip young people with practical and adaptable skills.
He said the development of technology, modern agriculture, manufacturing and tourism would require a workforce capable of meeting new demands.
According to him, the next phase of the administration’s development programme would focus on deepening existing investments, bringing projects into full operation and extending their benefits to communities still waiting for improvements.
Mbah maintained that creating opportunities for young people to participate in the industries of the future was essential to achieving sustainable economic growth.
He also warned that the state could not afford to lose talented young people because of a lack of opportunities at home.
15. ‘We Cannot Afford to Lose Another Generation’: Mbah Highlights Urgency of Development
The governor emphasised the urgency of accelerating development, warning that delays in education, employment and economic opportunities could have lasting consequences for the state’s population.
He noted that children who received inadequate education could lose opportunities that might be difficult to recover later in life.
Similarly, businesses forced to close because of unfavourable operating conditions might never reopen, while talented young people could move elsewhere in search of better prospects.
“We cannot afford to lose another generation of potential,” Mbah said.
He argued that the foundations already being established through investments in infrastructure, education, security and economic development provided an opportunity for the state to accelerate progress.
According to him, decisions made over the coming years would determine how widely the benefits of transformation were shared and how firmly the gains became established.
The governor said the administration remained committed to creating an economy in which residents could develop their abilities, establish businesses and build sustainable livelihoods.
He stressed that the state’s development agenda must deliver opportunities that would improve the prospects of present and future generations.
16. Mbah Calls for Greater Public Participation, Accountability in Governance
Mbah urged residents to become more actively involved in the state’s development process, stressing that government alone could not sustain the transformation Enugu needed.
He said progress also depended on the contributions of teachers, business owners, farmers, community leaders and other residents.
According to him, teachers must take responsibility for the children in their classrooms, business owners should train young employees, and farmers should be encouraged to adopt improved production methods.
The governor also called on citizens to participate in identifying community problems and proposing practical solutions.
He said public participation and accountability were central commitments in the administration’s original Statement of Purpose.
Mbah explained that citizens were more likely to take responsibility for development projects when they understood them and had a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their communities.
He encouraged residents to demand accountability, ask difficult questions and draw the government’s attention to areas requiring improvement.
The governor maintained that a stronger relationship between government and citizens would contribute to the development of effective institutions and more responsive public services.
17. Enugu’s Next Development Phase Must Deliver More Jobs, Opportunities — Mbah
the next phase of Enugu’s development must focus on consolidating existing progress, completing ongoing projects and ensuring that more residents benefit from economic opportunities.
He explained that while the administration had made progress in several areas, the ultimate objective was to create a productive economy that improved the lives of ordinary people.
Mbah said the government would continue to strengthen education, infrastructure, healthcare and the business environment while encouraging investment in productive sectors.
He stressed that economic growth must be accompanied by employment opportunities, particularly for young people entering the workforce.
According to him, the administration’s long-term ambition would require sustained cooperation between government, investors, businesses and residents.
He added that the state must continue preparing for technological and economic changes while ensuring that the benefits of development were not concentrated in a few areas.
Mbah said Enugu had the potential to become one of Nigeria’s major centres of economic and social progress if the state sustained its development efforts.
18. ‘The Morning Is Upon Us’: Mbah Urges Ndi Enugu to Sustain State’s Transformation
Using the imagery of dawn and morning, Mbah described Enugu as a state moving from the initial stages of transformation towards a period requiring sustained effort and greater productivity.
He recalled that when his administration assumed office in May 2023, there was uncertainty about the future, but the government had committed itself to changing the state’s development trajectory.
According to him, the progress made so far had begun to demonstrate what was possible when government and residents worked towards a common objective.
The governor, however, cautioned that the journey was far from complete, noting that the foundations established needed to be strengthened through continued investment and collective effort.
He urged Ndi Enugu to recognise the importance of the current period and contribute to the state’s development.
Mbah said the opportunities before Enugu would require the commitment of government, the confidence of investors, the enterprise of businesses and the active participation of residents.
He maintained that the decisions taken in the coming years would shape the state’s future and determine the opportunities available to subsequent generations.
19. ‘Tomorrow Is Here’: Mbah Reaffirms Commitment to Enugu’s Economic Transformation
Concluding his address, Mbah called on Ndi Enugu to bring their ideas, skills, enterprise and experience into the development of the state.
He encouraged residents to take an interest in developments within their communities, help identify problems and contribute practical solutions.
The governor also urged young people to embrace learning, innovation and entrepreneurship while preparing themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
He said the administration wanted to leave behind a state with stronger institutions, a more productive economy, better opportunities for children and communities whose residents could take pride in their collective achievements.
Mbah maintained that the transformation of Enugu required shared responsibility and a sustained commitment to the common good.
He expressed confidence that the state could realise its development ambitions through continued cooperation between government and the people.
“That is the Enugu I want us to build. And I believe we have reached the point in our history when we can begin to make that ambition real,” he said.
The governor concluded with his administration’s rallying message: “Ndi Enugu, Tomorrow Is Here.”
He urged residents to remain committed to building a state that would provide greater opportunities for present and future generations.
Politics
UNMASKING THE ALARMISM OF NDC: A CLARION CALL FOR ENUGU’S EXTRA VIGILANCE
The attention of the Enugu APC Campaign Council has been drawn to contrived layers of spurious allegations blatantly spewed against the credibility of the management of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu and, by extension, the integrity of the APC-led Enugu State Government through a viral video.
Silence could have been golden, save for the brazen frivolity that characterised the chronicled and dramatized falsehood intentionally deployed to embarrass and impugn the image of the entire state, and invariably validate their next lie in the sequence of street-level mendacities, while an unsuspecting section of the populace may remain confused. Ndi-Enugu must therefore prepare to rise above such barefaced antics, gimmicks and shenanigans from the pit of hell.
We admit that the Social media is a platform that has unwittingly provided countless opportunities for the audience to be mesmerised with scintillating and breathtaking performances while advertising cognitive brilliance and prolific imagination. Yet, it paradoxically affords some of its users the unmistakable luxury of exciting mediocrity and licensed idiocy.
What we understand as a breach or violation of Clause 17 of the terms and conditions of a personal agreement reached with the management of Amadeo Event Centre by one Dr Sabastine Chuks Eze, a disguised client who paraded himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners, in which he assented to the right of the aforesaid management to halt any activity, meeting, or event not conducted strictly in accordance with the stipulated rules of engagement, eventually metamorphosed into an NDC contract to host a town hall meeting at the behest of former Governor Peter Obi.
Instructively, the Amadeo management had since divested and deconstructed the dubious, speedy and strange garb with which the latest in this series of lies were cloaked, lest the public be deceived with the baseless, misleading and ill-motivated circus of freshly conjured lies, or outrageous spectacle of fabricated stories, blatant falsehoods, and disinformation.

However, in a fruitless bid to deceive a highly elitist and intellectually persuaded Enugu electorate, Mrs Ada Ogbu and her dramatis personae threw caution, her pedigree and the pious proclivities of their members to the wind in what perhaps turned out to be muddying the waters of unforced errors. It is therefore not only ridiculously stunning, but defies all imagination, mangles all logics, and belies all credulity that the Senatorial candidate of NDC and her co-travellers would condescend to the despicable level of openly linking Enugu Government to an ill-fated and self-defeatist attempt at surreptitiously hosting a presidential candidate through the cesspit of deceit, manipulation and immorality.
Where is the ecclesiastical rectitude, untainted probity, and self-acclaimed morality that Governor Peter Obi preaches? Have they not been cascaded to Enugu NDC members?
The APC family in Enugu and the teeming supporters of our performing Governor, already armed by the opponent’s innate sophistry in contriving evil, and the frightening frequency of these concocted absurdities by the Enugu NDC, could not have been deceived or appalled by the imputation repressive state influence in a simple case of default in private commercial agreement. Rather, we are condemned to view this latest slant from the precincts of a smokescreen, an unholy prelude and a failed alibi to validate future theatricals and nuisance targeting unsuspecting Enugu voters.
Enugu NDC has failed on arrival. It is almost non-existent in Enugu and perhaps gains its only infinitesimal traction whenever the state government or the name of our erudite Governor is mentioned in its tales of woes.
Enugu State under the enigmatic and talismanic Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has been judicially noticed as an epicentre of enduring peace, modern security, exponential growth, sustainable development, serene ambience, and the alluring harmony of a united people. Mischievously linking uncharitable words or deeds, without verifiable facts, to a revered state even the NDC purportedly intends to govern, is antithetical to the minimum acceptable trust values and the widely acknowledged enviable security profile of Enugu State.
A cursory look at the rejoinder from the management of Amadeo Event Centre would easily suggest that Mrs Ada Ogbu (NDC Enugu East Senatorial Candidate) should apologise to Ndi Enugu. Only in her lucid and unagitated moments will she realise how much she has offended the sensibilities and temperament of Ndi-Enugu, famous for their uncanny savvy, intellectual nobility, sublime virility, exquisite power of imagination, and peerless sense of history.
Ndi-Enugu, the 2027 Elections are about issues, ideas and the definitive capacity to deliver. Therefore, no amount of smear politics, incendiary comments, political calumny, or media frenzy can rewrite Dr Peter Mbah’s glowing credentials, deeply entrenched in the hearts of our electorate, who are watching in pleasant shock as the dividends of democracy are being positively re-imagined and re-engineered in their favour.
STEVE ORURUO
Spokesperson and Director
Public Communications
ENUGU STATE APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL
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