Onoh Faults Uche Nnaji’s Zoning Stance, Backs Gov Mbah for Second Term to Protect Power Rotation

Denge Josef Onoh, former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, has dismissed Chief Uche Nnaji’s recent endorsement of governorship zoning and his pledge to serve only one term as “hollow” and self-serving.

In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, Onoh took aim at the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who recently declared support for rotating the Enugu governorship among the state’s three senatorial zones and promised to spend just one term in office if elected in 2027.

Onoh described Nnaji as an “accidental self-proclaimed messiah of zoning,” arguing that his new position contradicts the principle he claims to uphold. 

“You cannot claim to support zoning while refusing to back the completion of Enugu East’s current turn,” Onoh said. 

He noted that Enugu East Senatorial District (Nkanu) last held the governorship from 1999–2007 under Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and is now serving again through Governor Peter Mbah.

“Greed” vs. Zoning Equity

Onoh warned that Nnaji’s one-term vow cannot be trusted, stressing that nothing in the constitution bars a sitting governor from seeking re-election. 

“The same greed that drives him to seek power now, while undermining the completion of the current zonal tenure, will only propel him to seek a final second term in 2031,” he stated.

He cautioned that Nnaji’s ambition would pit two Enugu East sons — Nnaji and Mbah — against each other for a second and final term in 2031. That outcome, Onoh said, would directly shortchange Enugu West Senatorial District, which is next in line under the state’s informal rotation arrangement.

Backs Mbah to Complete East’s Slot

Onoh insisted that Gov. Peter Mbah must be allowed to complete two terms to preserve rotational equity among Enugu East (Nkanu), Enugu West (Agbaja/Udi), and Enugu North (Nsukka). 

“Gov. Peter Mbah remains the safer, more reliable alternative for everyone, especially for those from Enugu West,” Onoh said. “His performance-focused governance has delivered development across the state. Letting him finish his tenure ensures the zoning cycle runs smoothly: East completes its slot, then West takes its rightful turn in 2031 without disruption or bad blood.”

“Nice Men Make Terrible Leaders”

Quoting Vice President Kashim Shettima’s past remark about former VP Yemi Osinbajo, Onoh added: “Uche Nnaji is a calm, cool and nice man. Nice men make terrible leaders and at best he should be selling popcorn and ice-cream, not aspiring to be governor of Enugu State.”

He concluded that Enugu cannot afford “risky experiments with untested one-term vows from those who cannot even support the current zonal arrangement to its logical conclusion.

“Performance, equity, justice, and fidelity to zoning demand continuity with Governor Peter Mbah,” Onoh said.