ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nnaji secured the ticket after polling 7,424 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Samson Nnamani, who scored 600 votes in the primary election.
The exercise was conducted in Enugu by the state governorship primary committee chaired by Hon. Austin Nwachukwu.
In his acceptance speech, Nnaji thanked party members for entrusting him with the mandate, saying he would not take their confidence for granted.
He promised that his administration would prioritise reducing hardship in Enugu State, particularly by addressing what he described as excessive taxation affecting residents.
“I give this victory to the glory of God and to the people of Enugu, who have been oppressed in the last three years and overburdened with excessive and obnoxious taxes,” he said.
According to him, landlords, hoteliers, commercial motorcyclists, and even petty traders have been subjected to multiple forms of taxation that are stifling livelihoods.
“Landlords are paying through their nose, hoteliers are crying, commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) are almost out of existence, and even people carrying water on their heads are taxed,” he said.
Nnaji argued that government should be focused on supporting citizens rather than overtaxing them, insisting that his administration would redirect policy towards empowerment and job creation.
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“These are the people the government should be supporting financially. That is the fulcrum of this struggle to recover Enugu State, rebuild Enugu State and industrialise Enugu State so as to tackle youth restiveness,” he added.
He further pledged to revive industrial growth in the state, accusing the current administration of neglecting job-creating investments.
“We will build industries to create jobs for our people. Jim Nwobodo is the only governor in this state that built industries, and those industries are now being appropriated by the current administration. That will not continue in Enugu State,” Nnaji stated.
The former minister also declared that if elected governor, he would serve only one term, saying his priority would be impact rather than political longevity.
He maintained that four years would be sufficient to implement his agenda for economic recovery and social development in Enugu State.
Earlier, the chairman of the electoral committee, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, commended party members for conducting themselves peacefully during the primary.
He said the orderly conduct of the exercise reflected the strength and unity of the PDP in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.