Mammoth crowd rallies for Mbah’s re-election as G-17 ends tour

The tour of the 17 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Enugu State by the G-17 For Peter Mbah, a grassroots political mobilisation group for the reelection of Governor Peter Mbah, came to a historic and colourful end at the weekend as political leaders, party stakeholders, community leaders, and teeming supporters trouped out in their thousands for the grand finale.

The grand finale of the historic political event took place at the headquarters of Nkanu East Local Government in Amagunze.

It also marked the conclusion of the inauguration of the movement’s 17 Local Government Executives, 260 Ward Executives, and Polling Unit Canvassers across Enugu State.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Council, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, described G-17 as a foremost political support group in Enugu State, commending what he described as the group’s unmatched record of grassroots mobilisation and candidates delivery.

Edeh, who doubles as the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, disclosed that all 17 Council chairmen in the state had embraced G-17’s model of mobilisation and assured that both himself and his successor would continue working closely with the movement to secure Governor Mbah’s reelection.

He said: “As ALGON Chairman in Enugu State, I can confidently say G-17 has distinguished itself as a premier grassroots political support group in Enugu State. 

“The structure, discipline, and organisation we have witnessed across the 17 LGAs are remarkable.

“I will hand over office in September, but I will not hand over my commitment to Governor Peter Mbah. 

“Together with my successor, we shall continue working with G-17 to ensure that Nkanu East exceeds the votes recorded in the 2023 election  and delivers Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all APC candidates come 2027.”

Citing Mbah’s numerous achievements in just three years, Hon. Edeh assured that Nkanu East had already lined up behind their performing governor and son.

He added: “Nkanu East has already been converted. 

“Nobody needs to tell us to vote for our performing son. 

“We are prepared, we are waiting, and we shall reward him with overwhelming votes.” 

Edeh further revealed that Mbah’s transformational leadership inspired his own administration to embark on landmark projects, including the ongoing 200,000-capacity ultra-modern civic hall, over 13km of road, completion of the Ugbawka-Nara Bridge, and several development projects spread across the 14 political wards of the local government.

In his remarks, the Member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Okey Mbah, described Mbah as the best governor around, commending the Convener and BoT Chairman of G-17, Chief Chinedu Mbah, and his team for setting up a genuine and organic grassroots mobilisation for the governor’s reelection.

The APC chairmanship candidate for Nkanu East LGA, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, thanked the Convener for restoring G-17 to its original vision and purpose.

Ogbuekwe said: “The movement has returned to the hands of those who understand its purpose. 

“What I have seen today confirms that G-17 is a truly grassroots-based political structure. 

“I assure you that when elected, my administration will work closely with G-17 to ensure total victory for APC in 2027.”

Also speaking, the Personal Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State and President of Tomorrow Is Here Movement (THM), Tony Okonkwo, commended G-17’s leadership for what he described as excellent grassroots political engineering.

Okonkwo said: “What G-17 is doing is commendable. 

“Looking at this structure, I am convinced that the victory of APC candidates in 2027 is already assured.”

The Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, represented by the State Organising Secretary, Engr. Onyi Odibe; Deputy State Chairman, Peace Patrick; State Woman Leader, Esther Edeh; and South East APC Woman Leader, Dr. Oby Ajih, among others commended leaders of G-17 for the great job done, saying Enugu was now eager to vote Mbah and APC back into power come 2027.

Delivering the keynote address, the Convener, Chief Chinedu Mbah, reminded the new executives that their inauguration represented a call to service rather than a ceremonial event.

He said: “You have accepted responsibility. 

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖