A governorship candidate in Enugu State fir the 2027 election, Ray Kene Ogbodo has urged the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah to de-escalate political tension and violence in Enugu State to ensure a peaceful campaign for the 2027 elections.
Ogbodo made the call through a press release made available to the media by hus media aide in Enugu. The renowned strategic management and ethical leadership guru noted that the reported incidents of political violence and intimidation against opposition .political activities in parts of Enugu State are becoming deeply disturbing and must concern every well-meaning citizen, irrespective of political affiliation. Below is the full release…
“The latest reported incident at Obuofia, Awkunanaw, where a political gathering was allegedly attacked and people reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, should serve as a serious warning to all of us about where political intolerance could lead our beloved state.
I therefore appeal directly to Governor Peter Mbah: Mr Governor, please use the enormous influence of your office to de-escalate the rising political tension in Enugu State.
As Governor, you are not only the leader of your political party in the state; you are the Governor of every citizen of Enugu State—including those who disagree with you, criticise your administration, support opposition parties or seek to replace your government through the ballot box.
This is precisely why the responsibility for maintaining a peaceful political environment rests heavily on your shoulders.
I am not accusing the Governor personally of directing these reported incidents, nor should anybody prejudge ongoing or future investigations. However, where supporters or individuals claiming allegiance to any political party resort to intimidation, disruption or violence against political opponents, responsible leadership demands an unequivocal response.
Silence must never be interpreted as tolerance.
The Governor should publicly condemn political violence, instruct his supporters to respect opposition activities and work closely with security agencies to ensure that every political party can campaign peacefully throughout Enugu State.
Enugu Must Not Become a Political Battlefield
Our people already have enough problems.
Families are struggling with the cost of living. Young people desperately need jobs and opportunities. Businesses need an environment in which they can prosper. Communities need security, infrastructure and hope.
Politics should therefore be a competition of ideas about how we solve these problems—not a competition over who can intimidate opponents.
Governor Mbah should allow his record to speak for him.
Those of us in the opposition should equally be allowed to present our alternatives to Ndi Enugu.
Let the APC present its achievements. Let the NDP present its vision. Let every other political party present its programmes.
Then let Ndi Enugu decide freely at the ballot box.
That is democracy.
Nobody Should Have to Bleed Because of Politics
No political ambition—including mine—is worth the blood of an Enugu citizen.
I therefore appeal to my own supporters, members of the NDP and supporters of other opposition parties: do not retaliate.
We must refuse to answer violence with violence.
Political disagreements will come and go, but we remain brothers, sisters, neighbours and fellow citizens of Enugu State.
Our campaign for 2027 must be built around ideas, competence, character and a better future for our people—not bitterness, intimidation or revenge.
Security Agencies Must Act Impartially
I also call upon the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate every reported incident of politically motivated violence in Enugu State.
Those responsible should be identified and dealt with according to the law, regardless of their political affiliation or who they claim to represent.
The law must protect APC supporters, NDP supporters and supporters of every other political party equally.
Once citizens begin to believe that political violence carries no consequences, democracy itself becomes endangered.
Governor Mbah Has an Opportunity to Lead
This is also an opportunity for Governor Mbah to demonstrate statesmanship.
I respectfully urge him to consider convening political parties, governorship candidates, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society representatives for an Enugu Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 election.
Let every candidate publicly commit to peaceful campaigns, non-violence, freedom of political association and respect for the verdict of the people.
I am prepared to sign such an accord. I am prepared to sit across the table from Governor Mbah and every other candidate and declare before Ndi Enugu that no political office is worth the life of one citizen.
Let Us Debate the Future of Enugu
Rather than allowing political tension to escalate, I challenge Governor Mbah and the other governorship candidates to a peaceful contest of ideas.
Let us debate our records. Let us debate jobs and poverty. Let us debate taxation and the cost of living.
Let us debate healthcare, education, security, rural development, infrastructure and opportunities for our young people.
Let us tell Ndi Enugu what we will do differently and allow them to make their choice.
That is the Enugu I want to help build: a state where a citizen can disagree with the Governor without fear; where opposition parties can organise without intimidation; and where elections are determined by the strength of ideas and the will of the people—not fear.
Governor Mbah, you have an opportunity to set the tone.
Please de-escalate the political tension. Call your supporters to order. Condemn violence wherever it comes from. Protect the democratic space. Let us pursue a peaceful campaign and allow Ndi Enugu to decide who should lead them in 2027.
We may belong to different political parties, but Enugu belongs to all of us.
Let the contest be about ideas, not intimidation.
Let the campaign be peaceful.
Let the people decide.“
