Tinubu Commends Mbah’s Development Strides

President Bola Tinubu has described Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State as a transformative leader whose developmental strides are laying the foundation for the Nigeria of the people’s dream.

The President gave the commendation on Tuesday when he received a high-powered delegation of Enugu State leaders led by Governor Mbah at the Executive Council Chambers of the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu, who was visibly impressed by the progress recorded in Enugu, assured the delegation that the Federal Government would speed up work on the Port Harcourt-Enugu rail line and other critical infrastructure projects in the South East to boost economic activities in the region.

“With transformative leaders like you, Nigeria of our dream is achievable,” Tinubu told Mbah, adding that the governor’s commitment, vision and seriousness since assuming office have brought rapid development to Enugu State.

The President urged Governor Mbah to remain focused on delivering good governance and ignore distractors, stressing that democracy would survive despite intimidations.

“Stay focused. When you are succeeding and they are angry, leave them in their corner. We stay in our lanes. We will not let you down. We will continue to work hard… We will land this ship very well to steady Nigeria and bring prosperity to our economy,” he said.

Tinubu also promised sustained collaboration between the federal and state governments, describing the meeting as one of the remarkable moments of his administration. He emphasised that building a prosperous nation requires collective effort at national, subnational and local levels.

NaijaChoice News reports that Governor Mbah, in his remarks, declared the total support of the people of Enugu State for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Mbah thanked the President for his inclusive leadership, which he said has benefited Enugu even before the state aligned with the ruling party. He recalled Tinubu’s historic visit to Enugu on January 4, 2025, where he commissioned several projects and bridged long-standing political gaps.

The governor highlighted key federal interventions that have transformed the state, including the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which now serves as a functional international gateway for over 30 million people in the South East.

He also commended the establishment of the South East Development Commission, the extension of the gas pipeline to Enugu to unlock the state’s gas reserves for power generation, extensive rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha Expressways, reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge, and the 700-metre flyover at Eke Obinagu along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

Mbah further appreciated the President for key national appointments given to Enugu indigenes, particularly the appointment of Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of the Air Staff.

“On these bases, we will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027,” Governor Mbah declared.

The delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani; former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; former Enugu governors Barr. Sullivan Chime and Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Anambra governor Senator Jim Nwobodo, among other prominent political, traditional, religious and academic leaders, many of whom attended with their spouses.

The visit, described as an appreciation and solidarity meeting, underscored the growing partnership between the Tinubu administration and the Enugu State Government in driving infrastructure and economic development in the South East.