…Mbah remains the dominant political figure in the state – Barr. Onuora
…This endorsement is as a unanimous vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership – ALGON Chairman
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Forum of Administrators of Local Governments in Enugu State have endorsed the state governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, for a second term, citing his unprecedented overhaul of all the sectors in the state.
PACESETTER reports that the endorsement was made on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) office in Enugu by the Coordinator of the Forum, Barr. Okwy Onuora, who read a communiqué on behalf of the 68 administrators of local governments and development centres in the state.
Onuora said the administrators resolved to support Mbah’s re-election bid after reviewing his administration’s achievements across critical sectors of the state.
“We, the 68 administrators of local government of Enugu State wish to use this medium to thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State for all the good work he has been doing in our dear state, Enugu State, since the inception of his administration, starting from Green Smart Schools, Type Two Hospitals, security of life and properties of the citizens of Enugu State, good road networks, and infrastructural development to mention but few.
“Based on this, we, the administrators of local government of Enugu State hereby endorse our dear Governor for a second term in office, come 2027,” he said.
The forum also cited the state’s zoning arrangement as one of the reasons for supporting the governor’s second-term bid.
“The East has done their eight years in office, the North has done their eight years in office, the West has done their eight years in office. The time of the East is now, and they are going to do their eight years in office. So he deserves a well-deserved second term in office,” Onuora added.
Speaking after receiving the endorsement letter on behalf of the governor, the Enugu State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon. Sydney Edeh, described the move as a unanimous vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership.
Edeh said the administrators had demonstrated unity and commitment to ensuring Mbah’s return in 2027.
“Not only that they are adopting him, not only that they are endorsing him, that they are going to do everything within their reach to make sure that the governor comes back in 2027,” he said.
The ALGON chairman added that administrators would play a critical role in grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.
“As the council chairman of Nkanu East, fortunately the governor’s local government, the ALGON chairman of Enugu State, and ALGON Chairman South East, I know what grassroots mobilisation is all about. I know what grassroots politics is all about.
“The administrators are the people we must need at the grassroots level to make sure that the governor is being returned come 2027,” he stated.
Fielding questions from our correspondent, Onuora said the endorsement was informed by what he described as Mbah’s exceptional performance in office.
“The governor has done so well. This is about his third year in office, and then he has done marvellous, like someone who has been there for over eight years.
“So, we want to appreciate him, and also ensure that he goes back for a second time in office, and his good works is what prompted today’s occasion,” he said.
Asked whether the ruling APC could gain wider acceptance in the South-East ahead of the elections, Onuora said the governor’s performance would make the task easier.
“It’s not even about the party, it’s about the individual. Peter Mbah has done so well, but the party so far has done so well that will give us the conviction to talk to people and tell people what we’ve been doing because we just recently joined APC and our good work speaks for ourselves,” he said.
On opposition efforts to unseat the governor, Onuora dismissed the threat, saying Mbah remained the dominant political figure in the state.
“In a football match, you only tackle those that hold the ball. So far, we are APC. Peter Mbah is also the governor of Enugu State. He is the person people are tackling,” he said.
Also speaking, the Administrator of Igboeze North West Development Centre, Hon. Ali Nathaniel, said Mbah’s investments in education, infrastructure and security justified another term in office.
“When we talk about smart school, some people fail to understand what we mean by smart school. If you have visited the smart school, you understand exactly what His Excellency means by smart school.
“This is the 21st century, whereby we need our children to be smart in everything they are doing,” he said.
Nathaniel also praised the governor for revamping the International Conference Centre and undertaking road projects across rural communities.
He further commended the administration’s handling of security challenges in the state.
“In Enugu, a few years back, you can’t come out on Mondays, but today everything is moving on. You can do your business, you can go to your offices on Mondays.
“So, in the area of insecurity, it’s enough for us to say, thank you, Governor Ndubuisi Mbah,” he added.
Another speaker, Israel Ani, Administrator Aninri West Development Center, noted that Mbah “has transformed the state into a modern city”.
He urged those still doubting the ruling APC and the governor to join in moving the state forward.
“I want to tell those people who are thinking that APC is not the best place for them to be to come in, because they have a good governor, they have a good product, and when they have a good product, you don’t need to shift ground”.
PACESETTER gathered that over the weekend, Mbah’s kinsmen also endorsed him at a grand reception in his honour, in addition to other endorsements by the Awkunanaw Clan, Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East senatorial zones.