By Isaac Mission
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has commenced its campaign ahead of the September 26 local government elections, with the party expressing optimism about securing victories in Udenu, Igbo Eze North and Igbo Eze South Local Government Areas.
The campaign kickoff featured rallies at the headquarters of the three councils and attracted party leaders, traditional rulers, traders, members of trade unions, women, youths and other supporters.
During the events, the state APC Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, formally presented the party's flags to its chairmanship and councillorship candidates and called on residents to vote for the APC during the council elections.
Chukwunweike said the party's performance in the June 20 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election had strengthened its confidence in the three local government areas.
He thanked voters for the support given to the party during the by-election, describing the result as an indication of the APC's growing acceptance in the area.
According to him, the party expects a similar turnout during the September council polls.
The APC chairman also used the campaign to project the party's ambitions beyond the local elections, urging residents to support Governor Peter Mbah for a second term and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
He argued that Mbah should be judged on the basis of his administration's performance rather than simply on the conventional expectation that governors seek two terms.
APC candidates seek grassroots support
Senator Ikeje Asogwa, who represents Enugu North Senatorial District, also addressed supporters at the rallies.
Asogwa recalled the support he received from the three LGAs during the June 20 by-election and urged residents to reproduce the same voting pattern on September 26.
He endorsed Hon. Innocent Ezeoha for Udenu, Hon. Chris Onyekachi Simon for Igbo Eze North and Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze for Igbo Eze South, expressing confidence that the candidates would effectively represent their respective councils.
Other APC lawmakers also canvassed support for the party.
Hon. Dennis Agbo, representing Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency, appealed to voters to support the APC candidates and cited projects and other developments under the Mbah administration.
Hon. Chidi Obeta, representing Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency, similarly urged voters to back the party, while praising Ukwueze's performance in Igbo Eze South.
Party confident of strong showing
The APC Southeast Zonal Woman Leader, Dr Oby Aji, expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious, saying the outcome would become clear after voters cast their ballots on election day.
In Udenu, the council chairman, Aka Eze Aka, declared that the area was firmly behind the APC.
He said the local government would work towards delivering more than 90 per cent of its votes to the party and also expressed support for Tinubu, Mbah and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Enyinnaya Ogbonna, pointed to development projects in Udenu under the Mbah administration, describing the large attendance at the campaign as evidence of grassroots support.
Candidates promise victory
The three APC chairmanship candidates also expressed confidence in their chances.
Ezeoha of Udenu, Simon of Igbo Eze North and Ukwueze of Igbo Eze South said they had already taken their campaigns to different parts of their respective local government areas.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Ezeoha said the campaign had focused on explaining the party's programmes and persuading voters to support the APC.
He attributed the large crowds at the rallies to growing acceptance of the party and maintained that the candidates were well positioned to win the September 26 elections.
The council elections are expected to serve as another test of the APC's grassroots strength in Enugu ahead of the wider political contest leading to the 2027 general elections.