…John Ogbodo is one of the best performing Chairmen – Gov. Mbah
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the September 26 Enugu State local government elections received further endorsements in Nkanu West Local Government Area as stakeholders in Obuoffia and Akpugo Ward 2 declared support for Executive Chairman and chairmanship candidate, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, and other party candidates.
The endorsements were made during the “Beyond Expectations” campaign train’s engagements in the communities, culminating in a grand finale at Akpugo Ward 2.
Obuoffia
In Obuoffia, stakeholders pledged the ward’s support for all APC candidates, with the Chairman of the Nkanu West Traditional Rulers Council and Obuoffia Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Barr. Igwesi Obi Igwesi, describing the choice of Governor Peter Mbah as one without a credible alternative.
Igwesi said Obuoffia remained willing to demonstrate its solidarity with the governor, while also urging residents to support the APC candidates in the local government election.
A former member of the House of Representatives and Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. USA Igwesi, also expressed support for the APC candidates.
He said Mbah would be re-elected in 2027 and urged the people to vote for President Tinubu as well.
Another stakeholder, Owelle Steve Avah, called on Ogbodo to convey the gratitude of Obuoffia residents to Governor Mbah over what he described as the governor’s numerous infrastructural interventions in the ward.
Avah said the September 26 election would provide an opportunity for the people to reciprocate the support, saying:
“Chairman, the coming election for Local Government is our own way to pay you back.
“We have nothing much to say other than to ask God to help you, Obuoffia will help you, Nkanu will help you, Nigeria will help you”.
The State Deputy Youth Leader of the APC, Ogonna Aneke, also declared support for Mbah and the party’s candidates, citing what he described as extensive development across Enugu State.
Similarly, the Secretary of Nkanu West LGA, Onochie Jon-Igwesi, said past political developments had shown that Mbah had prevailed in situations where he was underestimated.
Tracing the governor’s political journey from his former party, Jon-Igwesi expressed confidence that Mbah would again overcome his critics and secure a second term in 2027.
Akpugo Ward 2 rally
At the grand finale of the campaign in Akpugo Ward 2, Ogbodo, who is the incumbent Executive Chairman of Nkanu West LGA and APC chairmanship candidate, appealed to the people to support the governor and the party’s candidates in the election.
Ogbodo said Akpugo Ward 2 comprises Ndiagu Obuno and Obununo communities and noted that no previous chairman of Nkanu West had come from the area before Mbah supported his emergence.
“Since the start of politics, no Chairman of Nkanu West LGA has ever come from here until His Excellency graciously found me worthy, and with the support of the people, I became council chairman,” he said.
He thanked the people for what he described as their recognition of his administration’s work across Nkanu West and appealed to them to extend their gratitude to Mbah.
Ogbodo also highlighted infrastructure and education projects in the area, including the road linking Amodu, Akpugo, Akpawfu and Amagunze.
According to him, the road had previously posed difficulties for residents, particularly during burial ceremonies, when ambulances reportedly stopped at a bridge and corpses were carried by hand to burial venues because of the condition of the road.
He said the situation had changed following the ongoing road construction.
Ogbodo further said all the Smart Schools in Nkanu West had been onboarded and equipped with modern facilities, including computers, interactive boards, boreholes and lighting.
“So, we are eagerly waiting for January and February to reciprocate the hard work of His Excellency and all the APC candidates,” he said.
Representing Governor Mbah at the rally, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, urged residents to vote for Ogbodo and his running mate on September 26.
“We have only one person to vote for on September 26, John Ogbodo and his deputy,” Onyia said.
He said he was at the rally to represent the governor and demonstrate the state government’s support for Ogbodo, whom he described as “one of the most performing mayor in Enugu State today.”
“We fully endorse Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for 2027 because he has done a lot of work and we’re sure that he will do more. Anyone that wants to be Governor of Enugu State will have to wait after his tenure,” he said.
The SSG further told the gathering that aspirants interested in the governorship from Nkanu West would have to wait, saying, “I know that there are people vying for Governorship in Nkanu West but there is no vacancy there.”
Several speakers in Obuoffia and Akpugo highlighted infrastructure and education projects in the area as the reasons for their support.
The campaign ended with APC stakeholders and supporters reaffirming their support for Ogbodo and other party candidates ahead of the September 26 local government election.