Traditional Rulers Endorse Mbah, Enugu East Council Chairman Anike for Second Term

Our Reporter 

Traditional rulers in Enugu East Local Government Area have endorsed the second-term aspirations of the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, and the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Engr. Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, citing their developmental achievements and leadership records.

The endorsement came on Tuesday under the platform of the Enugu East Local Government Traditional Rulers Council during a courtesy visit to the council chairman at the Local Government Headquarters, Nkwo Nike, following the council's meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, Emmanuel Ugwu, said Governor Mbah had transformed the state through impactful infrastructure and development initiatives, which he claimed had positioned Enugu as a leading state in the country.

According to him, notable achievements of the governor's administration include the Smart School projects, completion of abandoned projects, the dualisation of the Nike-Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road, and the construction of Type-2 hospitals across the state's wards.

The traditional rulers also commended Anike's administration, describing his emergence as council chairman as "the coming of a new moon that has become a shining light" for Enugu East.

Ugwu noted that within one year and eight months in office, Anike had brought peace, harmony and development to the local government area.

He said the chairman's impact had been felt across the 12 electoral wards and 22 communities in the council area.

The royal father, accompanied by other traditional rulers including HRM Julius Nnaji, HRH Titus Okolo, HRH Edwin Udoku Edoga and HRH Felix Ugwu, also praised the cordial relationship between Anike, his Vice Chairman Engr. Kingsley Obi-Anike, and the Local Government Secretary, Barr. Obinna Mbeke.

He further noted that the chairman had maintained an inclusive style of governance through balanced appointments across the local government.

Among the projects and programmes attributed to the council chairman were the sponsorship of over 100 youths for aviation training, scholarship awards to hundreds of students, payment of monthly stipends to veteran politicians and elderly persons, as well as other developmental interventions.

Explaining the rationale behind the endorsement, Ugwu said the decision was based on performance and the need for continuity.

"We are not endorsing Engr. Beloved-Dan Anike because of his name or appearance. We are endorsing him because in his first tenure he gave us peace. We need peace in Nike land and we want development to continue," he said.

In his remarks, Igwe Julius Nnaji supported the position of the his colleague, stating that the chairman had earned the endorsement through his developmental strides and the peaceful atmosphere witnessed under his administration.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the "Ofor"—a traditional symbol of authority—to the council chairman as a mark of endorsement and confidence.

Responding, Beloved-Dan Anike expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for the honour, attributing much of his leadership inspiration to Governor Mbah.

He said he considered himself fortunate to be serving under Mbah's administration, noting that the governor had already laid a clear development template for leaders in the state.

He pledged not to disappoint the people of Nike or the state government, assuring that the confidence reposed in him would translate into greater dividends for the people.