Author: Gist Newspaper

The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns over what it described as coordinated efforts by internal interest groups to destabilise the political order in Enugu State, particularly Governor Peter Mbah’s second-term ambition.

The party said the groups—labelled “secessionists” in political terms—are not agitating for Nigeria’s breakup but are pushing for the creation of an additional state carved out of Enugu, a move it fears could disrupt the state’s long-standing rotational arrangement for the governorship.

Speaking on Monday while receiving members of the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE), the APC caretaker committee chairman in Enugu, Dr. Ben Nwoye, alleged that the agitators are actively positioning alternative governorship candidates for the 2027 election, sometimes from the same senatorial district as Governor Mbah and at other times from outside the zone currently favoured by the rotation understanding.

According to Nwoye, the manoeuvres are aimed at weakening political stability in the state despite what he described as the governor’s “excellent performance” in office.

He claimed that some elder statesmen and external actors are recruiting aspirants from Enugu East Senatorial District and beyond, warning that such actions could derail the consensus that has ensured smooth transitions and two-term tenures for successive governors.

“Those opposed to Governor Mbah want to destabilise the state,” Nwoye said. “They are not Biafra agitators, but they are pushing agendas that could damage the peace we currently enjoy. While we support the creation of an additional state, it should not be pursued by undermining the one we already have.”

Earlier, former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, said any attempt to truncate the current rotation would erode the political tripod agreement established by Enugu’s founding leaders, an arrangement he said has underpinned stability since 1999.

Onoh explained that ARMSE’s visit was not only to advance President Tinubu’s re-election campaign but also to formally endorse Governor Mbah’s second-term bid in the interest of continuity.

He traced the rotation principle to agreements brokered by Enugu’s political founding fathers, noting that adherence to the understanding has ensured orderly governance and avoided the instability witnessed in other states.

“It is safer for Governor Mbah to complete two terms,” Onoh said. “Respecting the rotation is the surest way to preserve peace and sustain development in Enugu. That is why we are here—to pledge our support and ensure that the agreement that has stabilised the state is upheld.”