General News
Coalition Urges Candidates to Avoid Inflammatory Politics, Calls for Issue-Based Campaigns, Focus on Development
By Iyojo Ameh
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CCSGG) has urged governorship candidates in Enugu State to prioritise issue-based campaigns, transparent public records and credible develolpment plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, made the call at a News conference in Abuja against the backdrop of rising political tension following incidents at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and outside the Enugu State secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, October 10.
The group 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 statements capable of inflaming political tensions.
“Enugu State deserves a contest of ideas, not a campaign of insinuation,” Comrade Jacob said.
Comrade Jacob maintained that political opposition was legitimate in a democracy but warned that allegations unsupported by evidence could mislead voters, undermine public confidence and threaten peace and security.
“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,” He said.
The CCSGG expressed concern over reports that the NDC had publicised a programme described as a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the international airport.
According to the coalition’s account of the position presented by the Enugu State Government, the party was advised to obtain approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before proceeding with the gathering.
The group said the state government maintained that the required approval had not been secured and that the confrontation occurred when party supporters attempted to gain access to the facility before security personnel intervened.
The coalition also referred to an account attributed to the Enugu State Police Command, which indicated that airport authorities restricted large numbers of party supporters from entering the facility and that a misunderstanding subsequently escalated.
Comrade Jacob called on the NDC to clarify whether it obtained formal approval for the event and, if so, publish the authorisation for public scrutiny.
The group also asked the party to explain the instructions given to its members concerning access to the airport and provide evidence for any allegations directly linking Governor Peter Mbah or identified state officials to the confrontation.
The coalition stressed that the airport was a sensitive federal facility serving Enugu State and the wider South-East, and said its security and operations should not be compromised by partisan activities.
“Political enthusiasm does not override aviation security, access restrictions or the operational requirements of an international airport,” he said.
The CCSGG, however, acknowledged the constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, while insisting that political activities must comply with applicable laws and lawful security requirements.
The Coalition also called on security agencies to remain professional, impartial and proportionate in their handling of political gatherings.
The coalition said it was concerned about attempts to associate Governor Mbah with the airport incident and the reported disturbance outside the NDC state secretariat.
It argued that publicly established evidence directly connecting the governor to either incident had not been presented in the material before it.
The group said the governor, like every elected public official, should remain open to criticism, scrutiny of public expenditure and questions about government policies.
However, it maintained that political criticism should be evidence-based.
“Criticise policies. Examine expenditure. Question decisions. Demand accountability. But do not condemn any person without credible evidence,” the Coalition said.
The coalition urged political parties and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, violence and the dissemination of unsubstantiated security claims.
Comrade Jacob also called for any credible concerns about attempts to recruit armed persons or create panic ahead of the elections to be investigated impartially and on the basis of evidence.
The CCSGG called on Dr. 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.
The coalition referred to reports of a 2018 case involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), reportedly 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. It called on Ohaa to publish the relevant charge and any final court decision showing how the matter was resolved.
The group also raised questions about an earlier Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) matter, referring to 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 Ohaa was reportedly treated as a prosecution witness.
It further cited allegations made publicly by former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung concerning an alleged demand for ₦200 million during a budget-defence process. The coalition called for clarification of whether Ohaa, if he was the Permanent Secretary concerned at the time, had knowledge of the alleged demand or reported it to relevant authorities.
The CCSGG said it was not making a finding of wrongdoing but seeking information it considered relevant to voters’ assessment of a candidate’s public record.
“The public should not speculate about the outcome of the case,” the Coalition said, urging Ohaa to make available relevant court records and provide verifiable explanations.
The allegations and questions raised by the coalition have not been independently established in this report. No response from Ohaa was included in the statement provided for the press conference, and the outcomes of the reported proceedings were not independently verified.
The coalition also called on Nnaji to respond to questions it said had been raised about his academic and national-service credentials.
It referred to claims concerning university and National Youth Service Corps documents previously attributed to the PDP candidate, as well as questions about qualifications reportedly listed in an INEC candidates’ publication.
The CCSGG urged Nnaji to provide authenticated records from the relevant institutions and clarify the qualifications he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
It said the existence of allegations or unresolved questions should not be treated as proof of guilt, adding that any criminal liability was a matter for the courts.
“The existence of unresolved questions does not itself establish guilt,” the Coalition said.
The coalition called on the candidate to provide a response to the allegations and relevant court proceedings, if any, while respecting the presumption of innocence.
Neither Nnaji’s response nor independent documentary verification of the claims was included in the material supplied for the press conference.
Beyond the controversies, the CCSGG urged all governorship candidates to present practical alternatives for addressing the needs of Enugu residents.
It called for clear proposals on employment, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, agriculture, investment, public finance and essential services.
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,” Comrade Jacob said.
The group maintained that the 2027 election should provide voters with an opportunity to assess the incumbent administration’s record alongside the competence, integrity and policy proposals of opposition candidates.
It said political parties should avoid personal attacks and instead 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,” Comrade Jacob said.
The coalition reiterated its commitment to accountability, credible elections and the protection of public interest, urging political actors to respect the rule of law and avoid actions that could threaten peace as the 2027 elections approach.
