Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and humanitarian activist, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, have resolved their political differences following a reconciliation meeting at the Enugu State Government House on Thursday.
The meeting was brokered by elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, alongside other political stakeholders. Iyere, who played a key role during the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State, explained that his support for Mbah arose after disagreements within the Labour Party over the party's governorship primary.
According to Iyere, the dispute involved the emergence of the Labour Party candidate ahead of the election, prompting him to mobilize support for Mbah and the Peoples Democratic Party. He maintained that his intervention was driven by a desire to see a government focused on social welfare and good governance.
Speaking after the reconciliation, Iyere stated that his disagreement with Governor Mbah began when he perceived a departure from the welfare-oriented vision that had informed his support for the administration. He expressed concerns over the impact of government policies on ordinary residents, particularly the state's tax regime, which he said had placed pressure on citizens.
Iyere also dismissed claims that his political support for the governor was financially motivated, insisting that no monetary compensation was involved either during the 2023 election or in the reconciliation process. He revealed that several reconciliation meetings were held in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu before the final peace meeting at the Government House.
Governor Mbah, while speaking at the meeting, attributed the strained relationship to inadequate communication and expressed satisfaction over the restoration of ties between both parties. The governor acknowledged Iyere's role during the 2023 election and described their relationship as longstanding.
However, Iyere clarified that the reconciliation should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Mbah for the 2027 governorship election in the state. He disclosed that several political figures seeking to contest the 2027 governorship election had approached him for support, adding that he would announce his preferred candidate at the appropriate time.
Among those present at the meeting were Nollywood actors Alex Osifo, Steve Eboh, and Paul Obazele, as well as legal practitioner Barrister Afam Agbakor and Hon. Muhammed Abdullahi, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth Development.
