Why Tinubu’s Endorsement and South East’s Alignment With the Centre Matter — Peter Mbah Explains
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has defended the recent political realignments in the South East, including the region’s growing presence within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term extending to 2031. According to the governor, the decisions mark a strategic shift rooted in pragmatism, long-term planning, and the pursuit of tangible development outcomes for the region.
Speaking at the South East APC Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Presidential Hotel in Enugu, Mbah described the moment as historic, stating that the region has moved “from standing at the crossroads of history to shaping history itself.” He argued that the endorsement of President Tinubu and the steady movement of South East political actors into the APC reflect a conscious choice to align political vision with national power in order to accelerate development.
Mbah noted that the APC now controls three out of the five states in the South East, a development he described as a paradigm shift. He said the decision to endorse Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections was neither sentimental nor impulsive, but based on what he described as clear evidence of emerging benefits tied to cooperation with the federal government.
“I am thrilled by the major goal of this meeting, which is to formally endorse the President’s bold reforms and his candidacy,” Mbah said. “This is no whimsical decision. It is grounded in facts and in the understanding that regional success depends on clarity of vision, disciplined execution, realistic strategy, and relentless delivery.”
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The Enugu governor emphasised that politics thrives on partnership, trust, and cooperation, especially in a federal system where alignment between states and the centre can influence the speed and scale of development. He described Enugu State as an emerging stronghold of the APC and credited President Tinubu’s administration with making difficult but necessary policy decisions aimed at long-term national sustainability.
According to Mbah, the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” goes beyond political rhetoric and represents a framework for economic restructuring and national renewal. He argued that the South East’s endorsement reflects a deliberate choice to support reforms that align federal vision with state-level delivery.
Highlighting specific developments, Mbah pointed to renewed federal attention on energy development and gas prospecting in the South East, sectors he said had been neglected for decades despite the region’s industrial potential. He also referenced the revival of the Eastern Rail Line connecting Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, and Enugu, describing it as critical to restoring trade routes and regional mobility.
Another major milestone, according to the governor, is the approval of the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Mbah said the move positions Enugu as an international gateway for the South East, improving access to Africa and global markets while boosting investment and tourism.
“These are not symbolic gestures,” he said. “They are strategic decisions that reflect a federal leadership committed to decentralised execution, strong state performance, and partnership as a tool for national progress.”
Mbah also addressed the region’s history of political fragmentation, arguing that disunity has often undermined collective bargaining power and slowed development. He said the current alignment signals a break from that past, with the South East pursuing coordinated action rather than fragmented politics.
“Our history reminds us how easily progress can be undone when unity gives way to division,” he said. “But it also shows what is possible when purpose is shared and direction is clear.”
He concluded by urging leaders and stakeholders to remain focused on outcomes, strengthen partnerships, and protect the progress already underway, stressing that the endorsement of President Tinubu represents a strategic effort to secure lasting benefits for the South East and Nigeria as a whole.