Follow Us on Google
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah yesterday said the state’s political alignment with the APC-led Federal Government was translating into real development, as the party elected a new state chairman and executive at its congress in Enugu.
The congress, held at Okpara Square, produced Dr. Martin Chukwunweike as the State Chairman through an affirmation process monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Party faithful from the 17 local government areas of the state attended the exercise, which ended with the inauguration of a new State Working Committee and State Executive Committee. Stakeholders described the congress as peaceful, orderly and transparent.
Speaking shortly after the affirmation, Mbah congratulated the new executive and tied their emergence to what he called a strategic political alignment that is already benefiting the state.
“Let me start by warmly congratulating the new State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of our party. And I want to use the chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike as a reference point to congratulate all the members for their election through this process of affirmation,” he said.
The governor used the occasion to defend Enugu’s alignment with the APC-led Federal Government, insisting that the decision to connect to the centre was deliberate and impactful.
“You can see that the decision we took to connect to the centre is already yielding enormous results. We must preserve that and continue to expand our support base,” Mbah stated.
He credited the administration of Bola Tinubu with implementing reforms that have improved revenue flow to states and stabilised the macroeconomic environment. According to him, that federal support has paved the way for key infrastructure projects in Enugu.
Among them, he cited the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, describing it as a major step towards repositioning Enugu as a regional aviation hub. He also noted that approval had been secured to extend the Eastern rail line from Aba to Enugu, strengthening the state’s multi-modal transport vision.
Mbah further disclosed that within 18 months, a high-pressure gas pipeline would run through Enugu under the South East Development Commission initiative, unlocking over $2 billion in investments in the energy and petrochemical sectors.
Other News
He said the projects align with the state’s ambition of building a $30 billion economy, adding that his administration had also revived several moribund industries, including Hotel Presidential, the International Conference Centre, United Palm Products Limited, Niger Gas and Sunrise Flour Mill.
“What we have done here today shows that Enugu State is not just a model of governance; Enugu State is also a model of politics,” the governor said, describing the congress as a “brotherly affair” devoid of rancour. He urged the new executives to strengthen communication and ensure government achievements are effectively conveyed to the grassroots.
In his remarks, APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, said President Tinubu’s policies were attracting more prominent Nigerians to the party.
“The good works of Tinubu are attracting great people to the APC. With you in APC, we are sure of scoring more than 100 percent votes in 2027,” he declared.
Earlier, Caretaker Committee Chairman Ben Nwoye described the congress as the culmination of a reconciliation process that reunited factions within the party.
“When the Caretaker Committee was constituted, the task before us was clear but demanding: reconcile differences, rebuild trust, harmonise interests, and reposition our party for victory.
There were splinter groups. There were grievances. There were tendencies pulling in different directions. But we understood that the survival and growth of the APC in Enugu State required sacrifice, patience, and inclusive leadership.
“All the splinter groups within the party have been united to one big indivisible broom. Those who joined us from the PDP were not treated as outsiders; they were integrated and given their rightful positions. We chose inclusion over exclusion, dialogue over division, and unity over personal ambition.”
Nwoye attributed the success of the reconciliation to the governor’s leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Chukwunweike thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to deepen the party’s presence across Enugu State ahead of the 2027 elections.
