ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for the Enugu North by-election, listing what he described as the party’s achievements in the zone as reasons voters should support its candidate.
Mbah spoke on Wednesday at the grand finale of the APC campaign rally ahead of the June 20, 2026 by-election to replace the late Senator Okey Ezea, who died in November 2025.
The governor said a victory for the APC would mark the party’s first-ever electoral win in Enugu State, urging supporters to ensure an overwhelming turnout at the polls.
He described the APC candidate, Asogwa, as the best option for the senatorial district, citing ongoing and completed projects under the current administration.
“Go and thumbprint the ballots. And when they want to know what APC has done for you, tell them that this administration, this party has broken the 65-year jinx and has brought your son to head the University of Nigeria Nsukka as the Vice Chancellor. Tell them that as a result of that, hundreds of your sons and daughters have been employed in UNN,” Mbah said.
He further listed infrastructure and development projects, including the construction of 102 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres in the senatorial district and the dualisation of the Abakpa/Penoks-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road.
Mbah also referenced the Ohebedim Aluminium Factory, which he said would be commissioned in October, as well as several road projects recently flagged off across communities in the district.
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“You need to tell them that the Ohebedim Aluminium Factory will be commissioned in October. Just tell them, just in case they have forgotten, that just a few weeks ago, I flagged off the construction of 52.2km that will traverse Nguru, Lejja, Aku, Akpakume Nze, Egede, Affa, and Eke,” he stated.
He added that the state was investing heavily in education through the construction of 102 Smart Green Schools, each costing over N1bn, designed to prepare students for a technology-driven future.
Mbah, however, warned supporters not to become complacent, insisting that the election still required intensive grassroots mobilisation.
“I can sense victory already in the air. With the crowd I see here today… it means we can almost fall into the temptation that this election is a fait accompli. But I warn you, the work is not done yet,” he said.
He urged party supporters to intensify door-to-door campaigning across communities, families and kindreds to secure victory at the polls.
“As you leave here, you have to go door-to-door, go to all the families, the communities, the homes, kindreds and tell them where to vote,” he charged.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, said the governor had already provided the APC candidate with a policy direction to guide his legislative agenda if elected, including ensuring federal budget inclusion for roads and improved funding for educational institutions such as the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the Federal Polytechnic Ohodo.
Former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in his remarks, dismissed speculation of supporting another party’s candidate, insisting that unity within the zone was key to securing quality representation.
The APC candidate, Asogwa, observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Senator Ezea and thanked the party and constituents for their support, pledging not to disappoint them if elected.
“I have promised my people that I can never disappoint. What they saw before now is just the beginning. Our business is human empowerment,” he said.
Other party leaders and stakeholders at the rally-including Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN), traditional rulers, lawmakers and local government chairmen, expressed confidence in the APC’s chances and urged voters to support Asogwa in the by-election.