The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly refuted recent claims by Anambra-born businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for a second term.

 

In a statement released over the weekend by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Titus Ezeagu, the APC described Eze’s remarks as misleading, baseless, and driven by personal interests rather than political reality.

 

“Prince Arthur Eze is not a member of the APC. He is neither a spokesperson for President Tinubu nor has he played any official role in the President’s campaign or administration,” the statement read.

 

The party emphasized that Eze lacks the authority to speak on behalf of President Tinubu and recalled his open opposition to Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 general elections.

 

“It is, therefore, disingenuous, self-serving, and opportunistic for him to now purport to speak for the President. To be clear, President Tinubu has not made any public or private endorsement of any sitting governor, including Governor Peter Mbah, for a second term,” the statement added.

 

The APC advised individuals like Arthur Eze to refrain from making statements that could compromise the democratic and electoral process in Enugu State and the nation at large.

 

“We urge Mr. Eze to focus on his business affairs and allow the democratic process to unfold as outlined in the Constitution. Spreading unfounded propaganda only serves to cast the President in a negative light, both nationally and internationally.”

 

The party reaffirmed its commitment to offering the people of Enugu State a strong and credible political alternative. It maintained that any endorsement for a second term should come through the democratic process, not through media assertions by individuals who promote whichever government is in power.

 

The statement further criticized Eze’s pattern of political grandstanding across states, calling attention to his longstanding relationships with military leaders who disrupted Nigeria’s democratic development.

 

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat who respects the rule of law and party structure. He cannot be likened to those who collaborated with military regimes to subvert democracy.”

 

The APC also urged Arthur Eze to adjust to the realities of a democratic Nigeria and cease making remarks reminiscent of military-era politics.

 

“Mr. Eze should realize that this is not the Abacha era when name-dropping and political intimidation went unchecked. His recent antics should be seen for what they are: the personal views of someone struggling to adapt to democratic norms.”

 

The party pointed out that both Governor Mbah and Arthur Eze are known loyalists of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), having worked together in support of the PDP’s candidates during the 2023 general elections.

 

“Rather than drag the APC into his propaganda, Mr. Eze should focus on helping his political ally, Governor Mbah, secure the ratification of his preferred PDP candidate, Mr. Ude Okoye, as National Secretary. Otherwise, Governor Mbah risks becoming the first governor without a defined political platform—much like his mentor, Chimaroke Nnamani, who contested a senatorial seat without party backing.”

 

The APC also reminded the public of Eze’s similar claims regarding Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, which were later contradicted by President Tinubu’s public endorsement of APC candidate Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as his preferred governorship choice for Anambra.

 

“We in the APC, under the effective leadership of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, remain steadfast in our support for President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda. Our focus is on providing the people of Enugu State with a viable alternative to the misrule of the PDP come 2027,” the statement concluded.