Popular social critic and media personality, Emmanuel Okoh Onyeka (Okwuluora), widely known as Okwuluora, has taken a swipe at the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, accusing him of failed promises, harsh taxation, and neglect of the poor in a strongly worded public outburst.
Okwuluora described the much-publicized 260 Smart Schools project by the state government as a “scam”, claiming the structures resemble local shops in appearance, with the only standard facility located in the governor’s own village.
“There’s a school in every ward in Enugu, why not equip them rather than waste funds on this fairytale project? The rest of these Smart Schools look like shops,” he said.
He accused the administration of shifting economic pressure onto the already burdened masses, lamenting what he called “unnecessary taxes” being collected from urban residents and business owners, while services in rural areas remain poor.
Among the key concerns Okwuluora raised is the alarming tax regime in Enugu State. He cited the introduction of Per-Bottle VAT charges on beer parlours, increased taxes on landlords, and other levies that he says are forcing businesses to shut down.
“You now charge beer parlours VAT per bottle. Businesses are closing because they can’t keep up,” he lamented.
He also took the government to task over the deteriorating state of public health and infrastructure in the state’s institutions, especially ESUT Agbani and IMT, where he alleged cases of typhoid and cholera are rampant due to poor or non-existent water supply.
Okwuluora reminded Governor Mbah of his campaign promise to deliver running water to every household in 180 days, describing it as an utter failure.
“After two years, all we have are non-operational boreholes in some areas. No sign of running water. People are not stupid,” he said.
He also decried the alleged taxation on landlords every time tenants pay rent, calling the situation “unbelievable and exploitative.”
“If everything is based on taxpayers’ money, what then is happening with state resources and federal allocation?” he asked.
Turning to the housing crisis in Enugu, Okwuluora highlighted the suffering of students and low-income earners due to skyrocketing rents and exploitative agency and caution fees. According to him, some students now pay as much as ₦500,000 for a single room apartment in underdeveloped areas.
He urged the governor to create affordable housing using untapped government land, and introduce a mortgage system through banks to help low- and middle-income earners own homes.
“Can’t the state build low-cost houses and let the people pay in bits through the bank? That would be a legacy project,” he advised.
Despite acknowledging ongoing infrastructure projects, Okwuluora emphasized that “true governance must prioritize the well-being of the poor.” He urged Governor Mbah to review his policies, employ better advisers, and take seriously the growing depression and economic hardship among the people.
“Building roads and hotels won’t help people who cry themselves to sleep every night. Your priority should be the poor. We will stand up to defend them,” he declared.
