Northern Community in Enugu Endorses Governor Mbah for 2027 Re-election
The Northern community residing in Enugu State has formally declared its support for the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah in the upcoming 2027 governorship election. This endorsement was announced by HRH Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, the Sariki Hausawa of Enugu State, during a courtesy visit from the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE) group, led by Denge Josef Onoh, a former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu.
Massive Support Pledged for Mbah and Tinubu
Speaking on behalf of over 200,000 Northerners living in the state, Sambo emphasized that the community has no option but to back Governor Mbah due to his friendly and responsive governance. "We have no choice because Governor Peter Mbah has been friendly to us. Everything we have asked for, he has provided," Sambo stated. He pledged to mobilize support across all 17 local government areas in Enugu State, assuring that the community would vote en masse for both Governor Mbah and President Tinubu. "We will go round to inform our people that he has performed well and remains our candidate for 2027," he added, acknowledging that while leaders are not infallible, Mbah has earned their full backing.
Rotational Zoning Principle to Guide 2027 Election
During the visit, Denge Josef Onoh disclosed that Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial Districts will not field opposition candidates against Mbah in 2027, in adherence to the state's rotational zoning arrangement. He explained that this decision aims to sustain peace and preserve the existing political balance. "If another candidate other than Governor Peter Mbah emerges, it will take Enugu West another eight years to produce a governor, while Enugu North Senatorial District would have to wait 16 years or more," Onoh warned. He stressed that breaching this understanding could lead to prolonged power retention by one zone, making Mbah the safest option to avoid such instability.
Historical Ties and Continued Collaboration
Onoh traced the long-standing relationship between the Northern community and Enugu State back to 1952, when Mallam Umaru Altine, a Fulani cattle rearer from Sokoto, became the first elected Mayor of Enugu. Serving from 1952 to 1958 under Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe's NCNC party, Altine was a detribalised leader married to an Igbo woman, Esther Ozueh, and contributed significantly to the region, including establishing the Enugu Islamic Centre and a cattle market. Onoh highlighted that such historical bonds underscore the unity beyond tribal lines, noting Sambo's role in maintaining peace during past herdsmen crises. "What divides us as Nigerians is not tribe but selfishness," he remarked, urging continued support for Enugu's development.
Governance Improvements and Inclusive Efforts
While acknowledging that both federal and state governments have room for improvement, Onoh emphasized that collective efforts under improved leadership can yield better outcomes. He outlined ongoing developments under the Mbah administration, including enhancements in aviation services, transport systems, agriculture, infrastructure, and road connectivity across urban and rural areas. Onoh assured the Northern community that their expectations and demands would be conveyed to the state government, reiterating Mbah's commitment to inclusive governance and collaborative development initiatives.
