The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at billionaire businessman Arthur Eze, dismissing his claim that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for a second term.
Eze, the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, made the statement during an event celebrating Mbah’s second year in office, saying, “Let me tell you, Tinubu has already endorsed him for second term. Tinubu endorsed him for second term because he has character. He is very honest, nobody will stop him.”
But in a sharp rebuttal, the Enugu APC described the comments as “misleading, self-serving, and baseless.”
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Titus Ezeagu, on Saturday, the party accused Eze of pushing a personal agenda, insisting that he lacks the authority to speak on behalf of the President.
**“It is, therefore, disingenuous, self-serving, and opportunistic for him to now claim to speak on behalf of the President,” the statement said.
The APC further stated that Eze is not a member of the ruling party, has never held any role in Tinubu’s campaign or administration, and was publicly opposed to Tinubu’s candidacy during the 2023 elections.
“In fact, prior to and during the 2023 general elections, Eze was widely known to have openly opposed Tinubu’s presidential ambition, preferring another candidate,” the statement recalled.
The party stressed that President Tinubu has not endorsed any governor for re-election, including Governor Mbah, who is currently the only PDP governor in the South-East and considered the party’s regional leader.
“Let it be made clear, the President has not made any statement, public or private, endorsing any governor in any state for a second term, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State,” it noted.
The APC warned Eze to refrain from dragging the President’s name into political propaganda, saying it risks undermining democratic processes.
“We urge Mr Eze to concentrate on his business ventures and allow the democratic process to unfold under the Constitution, without resorting to spreading cheap propaganda which could cast Mr President in a negative light both nationally and internationally.”
Describing Mbah’s leadership as “anti-people governance,” the APC accused Eze of attempting to prop up the current administration with falsehoods tied to the President.
“His attempt to prop up Governor Mbah’s anti-people governance using the name of President Tinubu is not only false but a clear move to once again undermine the democratic process in Enugu and Nigeria in general.”
Reaffirming its mission to provide a credible alternative to the ruling PDP in Enugu State, the APC called on voters to focus on the ballot as the only true source of political endorsement.
The statement ended with a reaffirmation of support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda under the leadership of Chief Uche Nwakaibie, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
