The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CCSGG) has urged governorship candidates in Enugu State to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, provide verifiable public records and focus on practical development plans ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition’s convener, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, made the call at a news conference in Abuja following reported incidents at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and outside the Enugu State secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, October 10.
Jacob urged the NDC governorship candidate, Dr Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Uche Nnaji, and their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements capable of escalating political tensions.
“Enugu State deserves a contest of ideas, not a campaign of insinuation,” he said.
He 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,” Jacob said.
Coalition seeks clarification over airport incident
The CCSGG also called on the NDC to clarify whether it obtained formal approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its reported Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026 at the international airport.
According to the coalition, the Enugu State Government maintained that the party had been advised to obtain the necessary approval but had not secured it before the reported confrontation.
The group also cited an account attributed to the Enugu State Police Command indicating that airport authorities restricted large numbers of supporters from entering the facility before a misunderstanding escalated.
Jacob asked the NDC to publish any authorisation it obtained, explain the instructions given to its supporters and provide evidence for allegations linking Governor Peter Mbah or state officials to the incident.
“Political enthusiasm does not override aviation security, access restrictions or the operational requirements of an international airport,” he said.
The coalition acknowledged the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association but stressed that political activities must comply with applicable laws and security requirements.
It also urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial and proportionate when handling political gatherings.
The group said criticism of the governor and his administration was legitimate but insisted that allegations against public officials should be supported by credible evidence.
“Criticise policies. Examine expenditure. Question decisions. Demand accountability. But do not condemn any person without credible evidence,” it said.
Coalition raises questions about candidates’ records
The CCSGG also urged Ohaa to clarify allegations relating to his public-service record and provide relevant official documents for public scrutiny.
It referred to a reported 2018 case involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said to have been filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under case number CR/76/18.
According to the coalition, the case concerned allegations of obstruction of an investigation into suspected fraudulent land allocations and failure to honour official invitations.
The group asked Ohaa to publish the relevant charge and any final court decision showing how the matter was resolved.
It also sought clarification about an earlier Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) matter, citing an account attributed to former Senate President Ken Nnamani concerning an intervention during Nuhu Ribadu’s tenure at the commission.
The coalition further referred to allegations by former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung concerning an alleged demand for ₦200 million during a budget-defence process. It asked Ohaa to clarify whether he had any knowledge of the alleged demand or reported it to the appropriate authorities.
The CCSGG said it was not making a finding of wrongdoing but wanted voters to have access to verifiable information about the candidate’s record.
“The public should not speculate about the outcome of the case,” the coalition said, urging Ohaa to provide relevant court records and explanations.
The allegations cited by the group have not been independently verified in this report. No response from Ohaa was included in the statement provided for the news conference.
The coalition also asked Nnaji to clarify questions surrounding his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials.
It urged the PDP candidate to obtain authenticated records from the relevant institutions and explain the qualifications he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group said allegations or unresolved questions should not be treated as proof of guilt and stressed that criminal liability must be determined by the courts.
“The existence of unresolved questions does not itself establish guilt,” it said.
Nnaji’s response and independent documentary verification of the claims were not included in the material provided for the news conference.
Candidates urged to focus on development
Beyond the controversies, the coalition urged governorship candidates to present clear and practical plans addressing the needs of Enugu residents.
It identified employment, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, agriculture, investment, public finance and essential services as key areas requiring attention.
The group 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,” Jacob said.
He said the 2027 elections should allow voters to compare the incumbent administration’s performance with the competence, integrity and policy proposals of opposition candidates.
“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,” he said.
The coalition called on political parties and their supporters to reject intimidation, violence, inflammatory rhetoric and unsubstantiated security claims.
It also urged security agencies to investigate credible concerns about alleged attempts to recruit armed persons or create panic ahead of the elections impartially and on the basis of evidence.
The CCSGG reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, credible elections and the protection of public interest, urging political actors to respect the rule of law and prioritise peace as the 2027 polls approach.
