Governor Mbah Calls on Ndigbo to Reclaim Strategic Political Space as City Boy Movement Converges in Enugu

In a candid address at the Government House, Enugu, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, urged the South East to embrace strategic politics to regain a central role in national decision-making. Speaking to the leadership and members of the City Boy Movement—a group committed to President Bola Tinubu’s reelection—Mbah lamented that the region had never been as politically fragmented and disconnected from the centre as it is today.

The Need for Strategic Politics

Governor Mbah recalled the historical political acumen of Ndigbo, noting that their forebears were always willing to reach across divides when necessary. “For us as Ndigbo, we have never played politics that is driven by sentiment. We have always been very strategic, and that is what has been bequeathed to us by our forebears. We cannot allow that to be eroded before our very eyes,” he emphasised.

He highlighted the alarming absence of the South East in national deliberations. “We are not even at a table where critical national issues are discussed. If you look at the order of protocol in this country today, the order of succession, we are nowhere,” Mbah stated. Reflecting on the political history of the region, he posed a subtle but profound question: Can a people thrive when disconnected from the levers of power that shape their destiny?

Mbah expressed optimism that recent efforts to unify the zone had begun to bear fruit. “We have never, as a zone, until recently, been so fragmented. But I want to believe that such fragmentation has somehow ended. We are all speaking from one page now in terms of leadership in the South East,” he noted.

Commending Tinubu’s Policies

Governor Mbah commended President Tinubu’s economic policies, acknowledging the initial challenges but highlighting their role in stabilising macroeconomic pressures and attracting foreign investors. He urged young Igbo businessmen and professionals to continue supporting the administration. “We must not allow ourselves to be deceived again. We have to align ourselves to be strategic; and the way to be strategic is to be analytical, be very objective, and deal with reality rather than be delusional,” Mbah said.

He concluded with a forward-looking vision: “Given the policies and programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the president will easily win his reelection. We need to be extremely smart to get ourselves in the centre of the game so that we are not on the margins again.”

Obi Cubana Emphasises Lessons from Isolationist Politics

In his remarks, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana and South East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, reflected on the consequences of the South East’s previous isolationist political approach. “We have lost a lot of ground through isolationist politics, but we have equally learnt our lesson on the need to build strategic alliances to serve our immediate and future needs and aspirations,” he said.

Cubana underlined the importance of integrating the region with national infrastructure and governance. “We have to be connected to the gas, we have to be connected to the rail, a lot of things we expect from the centre. Again, we cannot be fighting everybody or whoever is at the centre of power today because when it gets to our turn, we need support from every zone for us to be able to produce a president of Igbo extraction,” he added.

Commitment from the City Boy Movement

State Director Prince Emeka Mammah and State Patron Chief Charles Mbah lauded Governor Mbah for making the Movement’s objectives achievable through the transformative projects in the state. They pledged to ensure landslide victories for both Tinubu and Mbah in upcoming elections, reinforcing the link between strategic local leadership and national influence.

Reflecting on Political Philosophy

The meeting in Enugu raises philosophical questions about the role of regional identity in a federal system: Is political power more effective when wielded collectively or through strategic alliances? How does a community balance cultural loyalty with national pragmatism?

Governor Mbah’s call is more than a political strategy—it is an invitation for Ndigbo to rethink their historical approach, align with the realities of the present, and actively shape the future of Nigeria. It challenges citizens to consider not just who governs, but how governance can reflect and uplift every region equitably.

Akahi News www.akahinews.org

---