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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Members of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly have endorsed Governor Peter Mbah for a second term, warning that any move to challenge him from Enugu East Senatorial District would amount to a breach of the state’s long-standing zoning arrangement.
The position was contained in a statement made available to the press yesterday, and signed by the forum’s chairman and former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Josef Onoh, alongside Emeka Madu and Johnny Obidinma, among others.
The former lawmakers said their endorsement was rooted not only in what they described as the governor’s performance in office but, more importantly, in the need to preserve the zoning formula that has sustained political stability in Enugu State since 1999. They traced the rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial zones: Enugu East (1999–2007), Enugu West (2007–2015), and Enugu North (2015–2023), noting that the pendulum has returned to Enugu East with Mbah’s emergence in 2023.
“It is now back to Enugu East, the zone that produced Governor Peter Mbah. Equity and fairness demand that he be allowed to complete his second term, just as his predecessors from the other zones did without disruption,” the group stated.
They warned that allowing another aspirant from Enugu East to contest against Mbah would destabilise the zoning understanding that has endured for over two decades and could distort the future chances of other zones producing a governor.
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The forum said breaching the arrangement could delay the turn of Enugu West and Enugu North in subsequent cycles and upset the political balance that has fostered peace and unity in the state. Beyond zoning, the group said Mbah’s record in office further justified their position. They cited ongoing infrastructure renewal across the state, including over 1,000 kilometres of roads constructed, rehabilitated or under construction, as well as initiatives in transportation, agriculture, power, water supply, education, health, security and human capital development.
They also referenced the administration’s economic agenda aimed at expanding the state’s GDP through industrialisation, export-focused agriculture and the revival of moribund assets.
“These tangible dividends of democracy have not only improved the quality of life for Ndi Enugu, but have also laid a solid foundation for sustainable prosperity,” the statement read.
The forum called on stakeholders across the state, including former local government councillors, former National Assembly members, and serving members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, to support Mbah’s second-term bid in the interest of equity and continuity.
“We firmly resolve not to support any other candidate from Enugu East seeking to contest against Governor Mbah, as this would undermine the political balance, harmony, and mutual respect that have defined governance in Enugu State since 1999.
“Enugu State must preserve its record of stability through equity. In Peter Mbah we stand — for performance, for equity, for fairness, and for the continued peace and progress of Enugu State,” the group added.
