A former House of Representatives member, Chief Sam Onuigbo, has stated that President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term in office based on his administration’s achievements over the past two years.
Onuigbo, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the statement while reacting to the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
A “Good Omen” for the South-East and APC
Describing Mbah’s move as “the right decision,” Onuigbo said it significantly improved President Tinubu’s chances of winning the South-East geo-political zone in the 2027 presidential election.
“Gov. Peter Mbah’s defection is a good omen to both the South-East and APC because he is a performing governor joining the mainstream,” Onuigbo said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He argued that Mbah would complement President Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said are “yielding fruits.”
Strengthened Negotiating Power for the South-East
The former lawmaker, who represents the South-East on the Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), also highlighted the political advantage of the defection.
He pointed out that with three out of the five South-East states now under the APC, the region is better positioned to “negotiate from a point of strength” with the federal government.
Onuigbo Calls for Local Government Autonomy
Shifting focus to grassroots governance, Onuigbo strongly advocated for financial autonomy for local governments. He decried the widespread practice where most state governors allegedly divert local government funds, which he said has impeded development and fueled insecurity at the grassroots.
He blamed some governors for conducting sham local government elections, appointing loyalists as chairmen, and thereby undermining the constitution.
“Local government elections conducted outside the provisions of Section 150 (1-3) of the 2022 Electoral Act are invalidated,” he stated.
Commends Gov. Mbah’s Approach
Onuigbo specifically commended Governor Mbah for his different approach, noting that he gives local government chairmen in Enugu State direct access to funds for development and security. For instance, Local Government Chairmen in some local governments in Enugu State are constructing roads and embarking on rural development, while their counterparts in neighbouring states couldn’t even clear the bushes around their Secretariats.”
“Local government chairmen are well positioned to know troublemakers in their domains and nip them in the bud before it escalates if they are properly funded,” he said.
Rep. Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, concluded that an efficient and viable local government system is the essential roadmap to a developed and secure Nigeria.
