Before the 2023 general elections in Enugu State, I was among those who confidently predicted the victory of Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in the governorship race. In fact, I staked money on it with some people. This conviction held despite the internal conspiracy and sabotage within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that cost the party most of its National Assembly seats.
That conspiracy thrived largely because of the bandwagon effect of Peter Obi’s presidential ambition and the “pull-down-at-all-cost” mindset among some PDP faithful in the state l— those who wanted to eat their cake and still have it.
After the National Assembly and presidential elections, the opposition became overconfident, buoyed by what was essentially an accidental and conspiratorial victory in those contests. They mistook that outcome for a guaranteed triumph in the governorship election. It is on record that Barr. Mbah, much like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before his eventual victory, was the most dragged, demonised, and libelled governorship candidate on social media in Enugu State prior to the election.
Yet, in the face of this orchestrated and well-funded social media mudslinging, Mbah remained focused, calm, and determined. He understood that elections are a marathon, not a relay, and that they are neither fought nor won on social media platforms, but at polling units.
Predictably, despite the sustained propaganda, name-calling, and cyberstalking, Barr. Mbah won the governorship election, much to the shock, disappointment, and disbelief of opponents who preferred online ranting to grassroots campaigning.
Following his victory, the opposition headed to court. Rather than concentrating on legal strategy, they doubled down on social media propaganda, even going as far as maligning and intimidating the judiciary. These efforts failed. With Mbah’s eventual victory at the Supreme Court, it became clear that the 2023 political contest in Enugu State was finally over.
Shortly thereafter, Governor Mbah extended an olive branch to his opponents. Many accepted it, leaving the state with little or no visible opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
During the campaign, like every serious candidate, Mbah made promises. A prominent one was his pledge to restore pipe-borne water to Enugu State within 180 days. Upon assuming office, he moved decisively to reform the water sector. Water production increased from about 2,000 cubic metres to 120,000 cubic metres. To date, pipe-laying and replacement works are ongoing across the length and breadth of the state.
That pipe-borne water has not reached every street yet is not a sufficient basis to dismiss or antagonise the administration’s genuine efforts. Development projects naturally face unforeseen challenges and impediments. Across Enugu — places like Onu Asata and Okpara Avenue — roads have been opened up for pipe-laying. There are visible workers on site. Testimonials abound from residents who now enjoy steady water supply after many years of dry taps.
Beyond water, the Mbah administration has initiated several projects that were not even part of its campaign promises, responding to emerging needs and exigencies of governance.
Since his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC ), after politically displacing the then Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, and his allies , some social media critics and political mercenaries have returned to familiar trenches, peddling falsehoods about the government’s performance.
Criticism and opposition are indispensable in any vibrant democracy. However, they must be grounded in facts and evidence, not propaganda. Anyone claiming that Governor Mbah has not performed in Enugu State is being economical with the truth.
If anything, the most obvious criticism of his administration is that it appears to be in a hurry—initiating and executing many projects simultaneously. His approach to development is clearly multifaceted, multisectoral, interdependent, and people-oriented.
Those currently dragging Governor Mbah on social media ahead of 2027 should note that this strategy failed in 2023 and offers no guarantee of success in the future. His administration enjoys broad grassroots support across Enugu State, including from political leaders who defected to the APC with him and have openly declared his second term non-negotiable. They argue, rightly or wrongly, that Enugu State and the Southeast are better politically positioned within the APC ahead of 2027.
Political relevance is tested at polling units, not on social media timelines.
Today, Governor Mbah’s national media rating mirrors his performance in office. This explains why he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s poster boys of good governance and why he is courted and recognised by the political establishment.
The speed with which he was received into the APC and entrusted with national responsibilities by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu underscores his perceived value to the current government.
Experience, as they say, is the best teacher. Those who refuse to learn from the lessons of the 2023 elections in Enugu State are likely to repeat the same mistakes in 2027. Social media propaganda alone will not deliver electoral victory, not even the bandwagon effect of a presidential candidate’s ambition.
Enugu people are wiser now. They can no longer be deceived by political opportunists and divisive actors who see nothing good in any administration unless their narrow personal interests are prioritised over the collective good.
By Samson Ezea
