The Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, and Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Barr. Ugo-Ferdinand Ukwueze, has expressed confidence that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has the political capacity to deliver the South-East for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Ukwueze made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Enugu on Sunday following President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Governor Mbah as the coordinator of his campaign in the South-East.
The council chairman described the appointment as a reflection of the President’s confidence in Mbah’s leadership, grassroots connections and political influence across the region.
According to him, Mbah’s performance since assuming office has strengthened his standing among the people and positioned him as a credible political leader capable of mobilising support across the South-East.
He said the governor had demonstrated what he described as a “rare capacity” to translate political vision into practical development, particularly through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, economic development and human capital.
“Governor Mbah has demonstrated a rare capacity to translate political vision into practical development. His administration has given the people of Enugu State renewed confidence in the ability of government to deliver meaningful results,” Ukwueze said.
He added that the governor’s strong relationship with communities across Enugu and the wider South-East would be an advantage in his new political assignment.
Ukwueze said Mbah understood the aspirations and concerns of the people and had the capacity to engage a broad range of stakeholders, including political actors, traditional rulers, community leaders and grassroots organisations.
The ALGON official further described the governor as a bridge-builder with the courage, exposure and administrative experience required to coordinate a regional campaign structure.
He said Tinubu’s choice of Mbah demonstrated the President’s recognition of the governor’s growing political influence and organisational capacity.
“Governor Mbah has distinguished himself not only through his development agenda but also through his ability to connect with ordinary citizens. This is the kind of leadership required for an assignment of this magnitude,” he said.
Ukwueze expressed optimism that the appointment would strengthen the Federal Government’s political engagement with the South-East and create a platform for more constructive interaction between the region and the centre.
He urged political leaders and stakeholders across the South-East to support Mbah in the assignment, saying his emergence as campaign coordinator presented an opportunity for the region to engage more effectively with the Federal Government.
The council chairman maintained that Mbah’s record in Enugu, combined with his grassroots reach and political network, could give the Tinubu campaign a significant advantage in the region.
“With Governor Mbah at the helm of the South-East campaign structure, President Tinubu can expect a well-coordinated, energetic and people-centred mobilisation capable of delivering a decisive electoral advantage in the region,” Ukwueze said.
He, however, called on political stakeholders to put the interests of the South-East above partisan differences and work with the campaign leadership to advance the region’s interests ahead of the 2027 elections.