The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has criticised Governor Peter Mbah over the appointment of one of its 2027 House of Representatives candidates, Chinedu Onyeagba, as a political aide.
Onyeagba, the ADC candidate for the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, was listed among 101 new aides appointed by Mbah. However, the ADC said Onyeagba rejected the appointment, prompting the party to question the timing and wider political implications of the move.
The appointments, announced by the Enugu State Government, comprised seven special advisers, six senior special assistants and 88 special assistants. The appointments took immediate effect, according to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia.
Reacting to the development, ADC Caretaker Secretary in Enugu State, Adolphus Ude, commended Onyeagba for declining the appointment and questioned the decision to create additional political positions at this stage of the administration.
Ude alleged that the appointments were connected to the 2027 governorship election and accused the governor of seeking to strengthen his political structure ahead of the poll. He also raised concerns about the financial implications of employing additional aides.
The ADC official said the latest appointments came only weeks after 23 other aides were appointed, bringing the number of new appointments announced within the period to 124. He described the development as an “appointment bazaar” and questioned whether the state could sustain the associated salaries and allowances.
The dispute is significant because it highlights the growing political activity in Enugu ahead of the 2027 elections, while also raising questions about the size and cost of political appointments in state governments.
The governor’s office has not been reported as directly responding to the ADC’s allegations in the reports reviewed.
Governor Mbah, who assumed office in May 2023, has continued to oversee appointments and administrative changes in the state as political parties prepare for the next election cycle. The latest controversy places the governor’s appointments under renewed political scrutiny.
