Traditional rulers endorseMbah’s re-election bid

By Mohammed Wakil

Traditional rulers from the Awkunanaw cultural zone of Enugu State have declared their collective support for Governor Peter Mbah’s re-election bid in the 2027 governorship election.
The monarchs, under the aegis of the Council/Forum of Ndi Igwe from the Awkunanaw Extraction of Nkanu, comprise traditional rulers from communities in Nkanu West and Enugu South Local Government Areas.
The traditional rulers announced their position in a communiqué issued on Monday after deliberations on the affairs and development of Enugu State.
The Council said it acknowledged the leadership and development initiatives of the Mbah administration, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, economic development, revenue generation and transportation.
It also recognised what it described as the direction of the present administration and its efforts to reposition the state for sustainable growth and development.
According to the monarchs, their position was informed by the need for continuity in governance, particularly in ensuring that ongoing programmes, reforms and development initiatives are allowed to mature and deliver their full benefits.
“Following extensive deliberation and consultation among the Royal Fathers, we hereby state, in unison and without equivocation, our collective support for the re-election bid of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, as Governor of Enugu State,” they stated.
The communiqué said the position reflected the “collective will and resolution” of the Council/Forum of Ndi Igwe from the Awkunanaw Extraction of Nkanu.
The traditional rulers subsequently endorsed Mbah for a second term, declaring: “We stand together in support of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as our sole candidate of choice for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Enugu State.”
They added: “Our endorsement is based on our assessment of the direction of governance, the development witnessed across the State, and our conviction that continuity will allow the administration to consolidate its programmes and further advance the State.”
The monarchs also reaffirmed their responsibility as custodians of their respective communities to listen to their people, articulate their concerns and support initiatives that promote peace, development, prosperity and the wellbeing of Ndi Enugu.
They pledged to continue engaging constructively with the state government while communicating the concerns and aspirations of their communities through appropriate channels.
The communiqué was signed on behalf of the Council/Forum by 17 traditional rulers from the zone.
They include HRH Igwe Daniel Nnamani of Amechi Uno Awkunanaw; Igwe Linus Okafor of Obeagu Uno; Igwe Greg Ugwu of Attakwu Akegbe Awkunanaw; Igwe Obiora Igweshi of Amuoha Obuofia Awkunanaw; Igwe Raymond Agwa of Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw; Igwe Mike Nnukwu of Obeagu Awkunanaw; Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo of Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Awkunanaw; and Igwe Ignatius Ugwu of Amagu Akegbe Awkunanaw.
Others are Igwe Felix Nwobodo Ani of Ndiagu Obuofia Awkunanaw; Igwe Bernerd Nwoye of Akwuke Awkunanaw; Igwe Cyprian Ekwomchi of Akwukwu Uwani Awkunanaw; Igwe John Ngene Omedoaku of Amechi Awkunanaw; Igwe Chinedu Nwobodonyia of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw; Igwe J.A. Ogbodo of Amechi Uwani Awkunanaw; Igwe Emeka Ani of Umueze Awkunanaw; Igwe Maduabuchi Ugwu of Okpebe Amodu Awkunanaw; and Igwe Ferdinand Ukwu of Amechi Obuofia Awkunanaw.