Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has defended the growing political realignment of the South East toward the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the movement as a pragmatic decision driven by the region’s development interests and alignment with the Federal Government.
Mbah also justified the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by South East APC stakeholders to remain in office until 2031, saying the decision reflects a strategic choice already yielding tangible benefits for the region.
The governor spoke on Saturday at the South East APC Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Enugu, where party leaders and supporters gathered to review the party’s progress and chart a future political direction for the zone.
According to Mbah, the endorsement of President Tinubu and the influx of political actors into the APC represent a paradigm shift in South East politics, noting that the ruling party now controls three out of the five states in the region.
He said the South East was no longer content with being politically isolated, stressing that aligning with the centre was already translating into gains for the people.
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“It means that we are not standing at the crossroads of history; we are shaping history itself,” the governor declared, adding that the region’s political choices must be guided by realism rather than sentiment.
Speaking specifically on the endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, Mbah said the decision was carefully thought out and anchored on the president’s ongoing reforms.
“I am thrilled even more so by the major goal of this meeting, which is to stamp a seal of endorsement on the President’s bold reforms and his candidacy in the 2027 election,” he said.
Mbah emphasized that the endorsement was not driven by impulse or political expediency but by a clear assessment of national realities and the need for purposeful leadership.
“This is no whimsical decision; it is rooted in facts – and the understanding that success as a region comes from vision that is clear enough to guide action, discipline strong enough to withstand pressure, strategy grounded in reality, and delivery that is relentless,” he stated.
The governor further underscored the importance of political partnership and unity, noting that sustainable political progress is built on trust, cooperation, and shared objectives.
“Politics is nurtured by partnership; the willingness to trust each other, to align, and to work together even when the path is challenging,” Mbah said.
The stakeholders’ meeting ended with renewed calls for cohesion within the APC in the South East, as party leaders expressed optimism that the region’s closer alignment with the ruling party would strengthen its voice at the national level and accelerate development.
