2027: Coalition Warns Enugu Governorship Candidates Against Dirty Campaigns, Demands Evidence-Based Politics

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CCSGG) has urged governorship candidates in Enugu State to shun inflammatory rhetoric, unsubstantiated allegations and political intimidation ahead of the 2027 elections, calling for campaigns centred on development, accountability and credible policy alternatives.

The coalition’s convener, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, made the call at a news conference in Abuja against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following reported incidents at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and outside the Enugu State secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on October 10.

Jacob appealed to the NDC governorship candidate, Dr Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Uche Nnaji, their supporters and other political actors to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of threatening peace and security in the state.

“Enugu State deserves a contest of ideas, not a campaign of insinuation,” he said.

The coalition maintained that political opposition was legitimate in a democracy but warned that allegations unsupported by evidence could mislead voters, undermine public confidence and escalate tensions.

“Accusation without evidence is not accountability. It is political blackmail capable of inflaming passions, misleading the public and undermining the peace and security of Enugu State,” Jacob said.

Airport Incident: Coalition Seeks Clarification

The CCSGG expressed concern over reports that the NDC had announced a programme described as a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

According to the coalition’s account of the Enugu State Government’s position, the party was advised to obtain approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before holding the gathering.

The group said the state government maintained that the necessary approval had not been obtained and that a confrontation occurred when party supporters attempted to access the facility before security personnel intervened.

It also cited an account attributed to the Enugu State Police Command indicating that airport authorities restricted large numbers of supporters from entering the facility before a misunderstanding escalated.

Jacob called on the NDC to clarify whether it secured formal approval for the event and publish the relevant authorisation, if available.

He also urged the party to explain the instructions given to its members regarding access to the airport and provide evidence for any allegations directly linking Governor Peter Mbah or identified state officials to the confrontation.

Describing the airport as a critical federal facility serving Enugu State and the wider South-East, the coalition warned against activities that could compromise aviation security and operations.

“Political enthusiasm does not override aviation security, access restrictions or the operational requirements of an international airport,” Jacob said.

The coalition acknowledged the constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly but stressed that political activities must comply with applicable laws and lawful security requirements.

It also called on security agencies to remain professional, impartial and proportionate in handling political gatherings.

Coalition Urges Evidence-Based Scrutiny Of Mbah

The CCSGG expressed concern over attempts to associate Governor Mbah with the airport incident and the reported disturbance outside the NDC state secretariat, arguing that evidence directly connecting the governor to either incident had not been presented in the material before it.

The group, however, said the governor should remain open to criticism, scrutiny of public expenditure and questions about government policies.

It urged political actors to distinguish between legitimate accountability demands and allegations presented without verifiable evidence.

“Criticise policies. Examine expenditure. Question decisions. Demand accountability. But do not condemn any person without credible evidence,” the coalition said.

The group also urged security agencies to investigate credible concerns about alleged attempts to recruit armed persons or create panic ahead of the elections, insisting that such claims should be assessed impartially and on the basis of evidence.

Ohaa Asked To Clarify Reported Legal Matters

The coalition called on Ohaa to provide clarification and relevant official documents concerning legal controversies and allegations it said had been associated with different stages of his public-service career.

It referred to a reported 2018 case involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said to have been filed under case number CR/76/18 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the coalition, the reported case involved allegations relating to obstruction of an investigation into alleged fraudulent land allocations and failure to honour official invitations.

The group urged Ohaa to make available the relevant charge and any final court decision showing how the matter was resolved.

It also raised questions about an earlier Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) matter, citing a reported account by former Senate President Ken Nnamani that he intervened in a matter involving Ohaa during Nuhu Ribadu’s tenure at the commission.

The coalition asked Ohaa to clarify the nature of the matter, the intervention attributed to Nnamani and the circumstances under which he was reportedly treated as a prosecution witness.

Additionally, the group cited allegations publicly made by former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung concerning an alleged demand for ₦200 million during a budget-defence process.

It called for clarification on whether Ohaa, if he was the Permanent Secretary concerned at the time, had knowledge of the alleged demand or reported it to the relevant authorities.

The CCSGG stressed that it was not making a finding of wrongdoing but seeking information it considered relevant to voters’ assessment of a candidate’s public record.

It cautioned against speculation about the outcome of the reported case and urged Ohaa to provide verifiable explanations and relevant court records.

The allegations and questions raised by the coalition have not been independently established in this report. Ohaa’s response was not included in the statement provided for the news conference, and the outcomes of the reported proceedings were not independently verified.

Nnaji Urged To Address Questions Over Credentials

The coalition also called on Nnaji to respond to questions it said had been raised concerning his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials.

It referred to claims concerning university and NYSC documents previously attributed to the PDP candidate, alongside questions about qualifications reportedly listed in an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidates’ publication.

The group urged Nnaji to provide authenticated records from the relevant institutions and clarify the qualifications submitted to INEC.

It nevertheless cautioned that allegations and unresolved questions should not be treated as proof of guilt, noting that criminal liability was a matter for the courts.

“The existence of unresolved questions does not itself establish guilt,” the coalition said.

It called on the candidate to respond to the allegations and provide relevant court records, if any, while respecting the presumption of innocence.

Nnaji’s response and independent documentary verification of the claims were not included in the material supplied for the news conference.

Candidates Urged To Focus On Development

Moving beyond the controversies, the CCSGG urged all governorship candidates to present practical proposals addressing the needs of Enugu residents.

It identified employment, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, agriculture, investment, public finance and essential services as areas requiring clear policy commitments.

The coalition said candidates should explain how their proposals would be funded, implemented and independently assessed.

“If you believe Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has failed, identify those failures clearly and support your position with facts,” Jacob said.

He added that the 2027 election should give voters an opportunity to assess the incumbent administration’s record alongside the competence, integrity and policy proposals of opposition candidates.

The coalition urged political parties to abandon personal attacks and engage the electorate with measurable commitments and credible alternatives.

“The people of Enugu State deserve more than campaign slogans and carefully controlled statements. They deserve candidates whose qualifications, records and explanations can withstand independent scrutiny,” Jacob said.

The CCSGG reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, credible elections and the protection of the public interest, urging political actors to respect the rule of law and avoid actions capable of undermining peace as the 2027 elections approach.