An Enugu indigene, Nwobodo Chukwudi Darlington, has expressed relief over the gradual end of Governor Peter Mbah’s political reign, describing it as a chapter marred by “forgery, corruption, and maladministration.”
In a strongly worded statement, Nwobodo accused the outgoing governor of running the state like a personal business empire rather than a public institution. He recalled the long-standing controversy over Mbah’s disputed NYSC certificate, which was disclaimed by the corps and described in court affidavits as a forgery.
Darlington further highlighted Mbah’s history with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the governor’s political career was tainted by past indictments and plea bargains linked to money laundering during his time as Commissioner of Finance.
He also cited several high-profile projects under Mbah’s administration that allegedly collapsed under scandal, including:
- The N5.7 billion Smart Schools project, which suffered structural failures and demolitions amid allegations of substandard work and embezzlement.
- The New Enugu City Mall contract, reportedly awarded without due process to a company with no prior track record in mega projects.
- The Paris Club water scheme, where millions of euros earmarked for reservoirs allegedly vanished.
- The ESCET payroll scandal, where ghost workers and inflated subventions were exposed without concrete reforms.
- The ₦50 billion Hotel Presidential renovation, which remained incomplete despite huge allocations.
Nwobodo also accused Mbah of diverting ₦40 billion into his private oil company, Pinnacle Oil, labeling it “the mother of all scandals.”
According to him, Mbah’s political downfall was inevitable after losing the support of his political godfathers. He argued that neither the PDP nor the APC could present him as a viable candidate for a second term, describing him as “politically orphaned and stranded.”
“His legacy is not a legacy of roads, schools, or hospitals. It is a legacy of petitions, court cases, and distrust,” Nwobodo wrote. “The future of Enugu cannot and must not be wasted again on men like Mbah, who confuse governance with personal business expansion.”
He concluded by calling on the people of Enugu to learn from this period, demand accountability, and elect leaders guided by integrity and a genuine commitment to public service.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for reckoning is now. Thank God he has gone to where he belongs. Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Nwobodo declared.
