In a show of unity and political alignment, the Enugu State Council of President-Generals has thrown its full weight behind Governor Peter Mbah’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a bold, strategic step that has repositioned Enugu State at the centre of national politics.

The endorsement was announced on Thursday in Enugu during a capacity-building workshop organised by the Council for Presidents-General across the state, aimed at enhancing leadership capacity and improving service delivery at the grassroots.

Speaking at the event, the President of the Council, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo, praised Governor Mbah for his visionary and transformational style of governance, noting that his decision to join the APC reflected the collective will of the people of Enugu State.

“What the governor did recently was a collective decision of the people. He listened to the voices of our people to align the state with the centre of power and decision-making. Enugu has regained its voice in national politics, and we are already beginning to feel the positive impact of being part of the ruling party at the federal level,” Ogbodo said.

He further highlighted the governor’s ongoing developmental strides, including massive infrastructure expansion, rural electrification, and the establishment of Smart Green Schools and Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, which he described as tangible evidence of effective leadership.

Ogbodo, who reaffirmed the Council’s unwavering loyalty to the governor, appealed to the state government to consider an upward review of benefits for community leaders to strengthen their role as partners in development.

“Our loyalty and support for Governor Mbah remain total. We will continue to sustain peace, support government’s security initiatives, and take ownership of projects in our various towns,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Okey Ogbodo, reiterated the state government’s commitment to empowering town unions as key drivers of grassroots development.

He disclosed that the ministry had embarked on major reforms, including a review of the town union constitution and operational guidelines, the establishment of a Community Coordination Department, and the introduction of continuous leadership training programmes for Presidents-General.

“This workshop underscores our shared vision to transform every community in Enugu into a modern, organized development unit aligned with the state government’s overall direction,” the Commissioner stated.

Participants at the workshop commended both the Council and the state government for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would deepen collaboration between the state and its local institutions while advancing development in all communities across Enugu State.