Nsukka backs Mbah, Tinubu’s re-election
Governor Peter Mbah has announced plans to commence construction of a 135-kilometre rail line traversing key parts of Enugu State, as the people of Enugu North Senatorial District formally endorsed
Governor Peter Mbah has announced plans to commence construction of a 135-kilometre rail line traversing key parts of Enugu State, as the people of Enugu North Senatorial District formally endorsed his re-election bid and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mbah made the disclosure over the weekend at a massive endorsement rally at the Nsukka Township Stadium, where he also highlighted the achievements of his administration and defended ongoing reforms across sectors.
The governor said the proposed rail line, for which feasibility studies have been concluded, would run from Ugwuoba through Udi, Ninth Mile, Enugu and Nsukka to Obollo-Afor, positioning the state as a major economic hub.
“We have concluded the feasibility study, and we are soon going to flag off a 135km rail line… that is what we are committing to,” he said, adding that his administration had consistently proven sceptics wrong on ambitious projects.
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Mbah reiterated his target of growing Enugu’s economy to $30 billion within eight years, stressing that his administration remained focused on building strong economic fundamentals while ensuring development is people-centred. He noted that investments in transport infrastructure, including modern terminals and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, were aimed at improving mobility and boosting commercial activities across the state.
Addressing criticisms over urban renewal projects, particularly the remodelling of Ogige Market in Nsukka, the governor said the intervention was necessary to avert potential disasters, describing the market as “a keg of gunpowder” before government action.
“We saw Ogige Nsukka Market as a keg of gunpowder. If we hadn’t done anything and there was an emergency in that market, we would have been asked: Did you have government in this state?
“So there was no way we could have moved an emergency into the market,” he said.
He assured that affected traders would be reintegrated into newly constructed shops and supported with seed capital to restart their businesses.
Mbah emphasised that his administration’s development model is anchored in inclusivity, fairness, and equity, and that no part of the state would be left behind.
He recalled that his government had restored normalcy by ending the sit-at-home order that once crippled economic and social activities, noting that businesses and schools now operate fully on Mondays.
The governor also highlighted progress in education and healthcare, stating that the sectors received the largest share of the state budget, with 102 primary healthcare centres completed and set for operation in the zone alone.
He further pointed to ongoing efforts to revive moribund industries and public assets, including Nigergas, United Palm Products Limited, Sunrise Flour Mills and Hotel Presidential, alongside flagship projects such as the International Conference Centre and the Enugu International Hospital.
Mbah described Enugu as being on the brink of a historic transformation, urging residents to sustain the trust and unity that had driven his administration’s achievements.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, and former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi presented a cheque of N102 million to Mbah on behalf of the zone to support his nomination process.
They also endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, citing ongoing infrastructure projects across the state and appointments for indigenes of Enugu.
They commended Mbah for facilitating the appointment of Professor Simon Ortuanya as the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, describing it as a historic breakthrough.
The stakeholders also praised Mbah’s statesmanship, including his decision to honour the late Senator Okey Ezea with a state burial despite political differences, noting that the move underscored his commitment to unity.
Highlighting key interventions in the zone, they cited the construction of 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, the upgrade of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences with a teaching hospital, and the appointment of 70 professors.
They also referenced major road projects such as the dualisation of the Opi–Ugwuogo Nike–Abakpa Road and the Owo–Ikem–Obollo-Afor corridor, as well as modern transport infrastructure in Nsukka, including interchange terminals and CNG buses.
According to stakeholders, over 3,000 projects are underway or have been completed across the state, including the International Conference Centre, a five-star ICC Hotel, the New Enugu Smart City, and a 300-bed international hospital.
They declared full support for Mbah’s second term bid and President Tinubu’s re-election, insisting their endorsement was based on “verifiable and tangible achievements.”
“In just two years, governance in Enugu has shifted from promises to measurable results, with Nsukka Zone standing as one of the greatest beneficiaries,” they stated.
