2027: Enugu North Mega Endorsement Rally and Its Message
By Samson Ezea
In what can best be described as a historic political awakening and a bold declaration of collective will, the Enugu North Senatorial Zone Mega Endorsement Rally stands as a powerful testament to unity, grassroots strength, and strategic political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the limited time for planning, the event resonated deeply, sending an unmistakable message of solidarity and purpose. Even though the time for the conception and planning of the Enugu North Senatorial Zone Mega Endorsement Rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s re-election was short, the support, commitment, and response from the good people of Nsukka from all walks of life, morally, financially, and physically, were unparalleled, motivating, and unwavering.
That was why the execution of the event was perfect and remarkable. It was less than two weeks from conception to execution of a mega endorsement rally that turned into a carnival-like electioneering campaign never witnessed before in Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
From the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Ikeje Asogwa; his Vice; the duo of Dr. Chinedu Onu and Dr. Oby Ajih; Secretary, Dr. Barth Ezugwu; Chairman of Mobilisation, Barr. Ferdinand Ugo Ukwueze; Works and Venue, Engr. Jude Asogwa; Finance, Chief Festus Oshaba; Security/Traffic, Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu; Welfare, Hon. Uche Ogalla; Logistics, Engr. Ejike Itodo; Health, Hon. Dr. Eric Odo; Protocol, Hon. Aka Eze Aka; Entertainment, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie; Media/Publicity, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani; Women Mobilisation, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeja; Monitoring/Evaluation, Dr. Dan Shere; and others, many practically slept at the venue of the event, the Modern Nsukka Township Stadium, GRA Nsukka, to ensure that the event was hitch-free and successful.
No stone was left unturned, and all hands were on deck. No one was missing in action, words, or presence. The unity and solidarity spoke volumes. On the day of the event, the atmosphere was friendly and bright, despite the rainy season.
Before 11 a.m., the venue of the event, the over 5,000 sitting capacity stadium, and far more that number standing and spilling into the adjoining streets, the arena was filled with an enthusiastic, organic, supportive, and mammoth crowd from the six local government areas and 102 wards in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, alongside their friends and well-wishers.
The venue’s decorations and preparations were colourful, enticing, sparkling, and befitting.
Apart from the sonorous and melodious musical rhythms being dished out by the popular Ulaga Music Band, whose echoes went beyond Nsukka, different women, youth, political, masquerade, and cultural support groups, alongside their candidates and leaders, were seen moving around the stadium, entertaining people with songs and displaying banners with inscriptions in support of President Tinubu, Governor Mbah, and their candidates aspiring for political positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From the Total Filling Station Roundabout to Opi Nsukka Junction, and from Odenigbo Roundabout to Ofulonu, it was a total shutdown. Kudos to the Security/Traffic Committee and personnel of the Enugu State Ministry of Transport, who perfectly handled vehicle parking, maintained the free flow of human and vehicular movement, and averted gridlock and stampede.
It was a brisk business day for shop owners and traders within the venue’s axis and its environs. Seated at different sections of the stadium were people from various local government areas, support groups, well-wishers, and friends of Nsukka people and Governor Mbah.
At the two VIP stands were the crème de la crème of Nsukka and Enugu State, political leaders, business moguls, former and serving political office holders, traditional rulers, and top government functionaries.
They included former Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Senator Chuka Utazi; Senator Kelvin Chukwu of Enugu East Senatorial Zone; Deputy National Chairman (APC South), Dr. Ben Nwoye; APC South East Woman Leader, Dr. Oby Ajih; former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ezenwata Okechukwu Itanyi; Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Ambassador Justina Eze; Chief Maxi Ukwuata; members of the State and National Assembly; Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu; Chairman of the Finance Committee of the event and highest donor, Chief Festus Oshaba; Chief Charles Mbah; Chief Ikechukwu Asogwa; local government chairmen; former and serving commissioners; and many others. The list was endless, and the presence of both prominent personalities and the downtrodden was impressive.
At the popular Opi Junction, Governor Mbah’s entourage was welcomed by a mammoth crowd of enthusiastic and loving supporters, who held him for some minutes with songs and dances that enthused him. Governor Mbah, who was with his Deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, later thanked them for their unwavering support and commitment to his administration’s programmes and policies.
From there, Governor Mbah moved to Ede Oballa community, where he flagged off the reconstruction of a 70km road spanning three local government areas and several communities, starting from Ede Oballa through Lejja and Aku to Akpakwume Nze.
After the brief ceremony, Governor Mbah and his entourage arrived at the venue of the mega rally around 3:15 p.m., where he was received by prominent stakeholders and top government functionaries. He moved around the stadium, greeting and acknowledging cheers from the resilient and patient crowd of supporters.
The opening prayer, which set the tone for the official commencement of the epoch-making event, was delivered by the Enugu North Zonal Chairman of APC, Hon. Fabian Onah. The event was coordinated by the Master of Ceremony, a renowned broadcaster and Chairman of Udenu LGA, Hon. Aka Eze Aka.
Speaker after speaker, including the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Ikeje Asogwa; Senator Chuka Utazi; Rt. Hon. Barr. Eugene Odo; Engr. Vita Abba; Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu; Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and others, were unanimous in declaring unwavering support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah for a second term. They reeled out numerous people-oriented projects and the giant strides of their administrations, calling on the people to support them massively.
The major highlight of the event was the presentation of a N102 million cheque to the Governor for the purchase of his nomination form and that of President Tinubu, as well as the official endorsement of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah for a second term. In a coordinated move, the motion was first moved by the member representing Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chidi Obetta, and seconded by the member representing Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Agbo. It was then moved thereafter by the Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, seconded by Hon. Chukwuma Ekwueme, and conducted and supervised by Senator Chuka Utazi.
Overwhelmed and enthused by the turnout of the massive crowd of supporters and leaders of Enugu North Senatorial Zone and the endorsement, Governor Mbah, who reeled out remarkable and unprecedented achievements of his administration, thanked the people and reminded them of his deep-rooted and long-standing relationship with Nsukka, stressing that it has always been his second home. He emphasized that his administration is conscious of and mindful of inclusiveness in all it does, reiterating that Enugu State is one people.
He spoke figuratively about those claiming that he would be a one-term governor, highlighting the contradictions in such claims by some desperate and deceitful persons and their cronies.
For the first time, Governor Mbah addressed the recurring issue of the removal of Ogige Nsukka Market, which some political actors have tried to exploit ahead of the 2027 elections. He clarified that his administration is guided by equity and balance, noting that the state operates on a tripod structure and must ensure fair development across all senatorial zones.
He advised the people to be wary of individuals attempting to use divisive politics and rhetoric to create disunity, stressing that such tendencies have no place in the state.
The rally came to a close after the Governor’s speech, which ended around 5:20 p.m. From the venue, Governor Mbah and his entourage proceeded to the historic and prestigious Adada House for further engagements and entertainment.
With the successful organisation of this mega endorsement rally, it is crystal clear that the people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone have spoken with one voice, clear, strong, and resolute. They have sent a powerful message that President Tinubu and Governor Mbah remain their preferred choices for 2027.
More than just a gathering, the rally was a declaration of intent, a symbol of unity, and a demonstration of political consciousness. The overwhelming support and solidarity leave no doubt that the people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone are fully prepared to stand by their words and translate them into decisive action at the polls in 2027.
Ezea, a journalist, was at the event in Nsukka
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
