It was supposed to be a routine local government campaign stop in Enugu. It turned into a full-blown endorsement rally for 2027.

So, what actually happened in Enugu?

The people of Ikem community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area have come out to publicly declare what they call "total support" for the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah, President Bola Tinubu, and all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the forthcoming local government and general elections. The declaration was made when the APC campaign train touched down in Ward 1, Ikem Uno.

If you know Isi-Uzo, you’ll know why this matters.

A Road Abandoned Since 1970

This is where the story gets deeply personal.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Dr. Nnamani didn’t just praise the governor — he made an emotional appeal. He asked Mbah, in partnership with the incoming council chairman, to construct a crucial link road that runs from Ukwumango Ikem Ogor through Ikem Nkwo-Ashiebo-Odobido Ikem-Odenigbo Eha-Amufu and terminates at Ahube Water — the official boundary between Enugu and Benue State as defined by Legal Notice 126 of 1954.

Why is this road so important?

Nnamani explained that five communities — Odobido, Orene, Ekor, and Ishiador and others — have essentially abandoned their ancestral lands since 1970 due to protracted hostility with communities across the Benue border. That’s over 55 years of displacement.

A proper road, he argued, would not only open up these rural communities and allow people to finally return home, but would also be an economic corridor connecting Ebonyi, Enugu and Benue to parts of Northern Nigeria within hours — a huge boost for Governor Mbah’s much-talked-about agrarian and agro-industrialisation policy.

As one stakeholder put it: “We appreciate other developmental projects embarked upon by Governor Mba, which have affected many lives in the state. We are going to reciprocate the gesture through our mobilisation to reelect the governor and other APC candidates in Isi-Uzo LGA.”

Let’s add some background.

Isi-Uzo is historically one of Enugu’s most underdeveloped and hard-to-reach LGAs. For years, bad roads and inter-communal boundary tensions have stifled farming, trade and school attendance. Governor Mbah, who came into office in May 2023 on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform before recently aligning with the APC political structure in the state, has made road infrastructure a centrepiece — pledging over 1,000km of roads and awarding contracts like the 40km Owo-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway.

Politically, this endorsement is significant. Enugu has been a PDP stronghold since 1999. Any major community in Isi-Uzo — a swing area with strong grassroots mobilisation — openly pledging for APC candidates for both council and 2027 general elections signals a potential shift in the state’s political map ahead of 2027.

What Happens Next?

So, what are we looking at going forward?

1. Local Government Elections First: The APC candidates — Chief Brendan Ani for Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani for State Assembly, and Hon. Chijioke Edeoga for Federal House of Representatives — will be banking on this momentum to secure Isi-Uzo.

2. The Road Request: The ball is now in the court of Governor Mbah and the incoming Isi-Uzo council chairman. The community wants a joint project commitment on the Ukwumango-Ahube Water link road.

3. 2027 Mobilisation: The community says it will reciprocate with votes. Whether that mobilisation holds till 2027 will depend on whether the promised infrastructure and security along the Enugu-Benue border materialise.

In short, Ikem has spoken. They’ve offered political loyalty, but with a very clear condition: bring development home,and bring our people home.

Source: cbinews.tv.

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