Onoh Faults Nnaji’s ‘One-Term’ Promise, Backs Zoning, Gov Mbah’s Record

Former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Tinubu and chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge. Josef Onoh, has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Enugu state, Chief Uche Nnaji, over remarks in a viral video where Nnaji said he was wealthy enough to need only one term to “recover” and rebuild Enugu State.

The trending video shows Nnaji saying that he was rich enough to do one term in office as governor other that two terms.

In a statement on Tuesday, Onoh described the claim as “a dangerous political scam wrapped in arrogance and questionable credentials,” arguing that wealth does not guarantee integrity or respect for established political arrangements.

“Being ‘rich’ has never stopped politicians from clinging to power or destroying established arrangements,” Onoh said.

He cited Enugu’s governorship zoning arrangement among the state’s three senatorial zones, which he said had promoted stability since 1999.

He said Governor Peter Mbah, from Enugu East Senatorial district, was respecting the arrangement by completing his tenure.

“Disrupting it for personal ambition risks the peace we have enjoyed in Enugu state,” Onoh stated.

He questioned the basis of Nnaji’s wealth claims and called for verifiable evidence of businesses that had employed thousands, paid taxes, or driven economic growth in Enugu.

He said that public records and tax filings should back such assertions, especially given past allegations of certificate forgery involving the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and NYSC, which he said led to investigations by the ICPC and Nnaji’s resignation as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Onoh also challenged Nnaji to point to any public school, hospital, road, scholarship program, or community project he had personally funded in Enugu State prior to seeking office.

“Private success is commendable, but public service demands proven public impact,” he said.

Contrasting Nnaji’s remarks, Onoh said Mbah had shown “results-driven leadership” with measurable outcomes. He cited reports of 280% increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue early in Mbah’s administration, over 1,000 km of roads constructed, water projects, smart schools, primary healthcare centers, and industrial initiatives.

He added that the governor’s approach was “technocratic, evidence-based, and focused on long-term transformation.”

Onoh urged Enugu voters to demand proof of integrity, a public service record, and respect for zoning stability, warning against what he called “recovery theatre” sold by questionable characters.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)