Nkanu Youth Organization Criticizes Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s Administration

The Nkanu Youth Organization, representing youths in Nkanu land and the diaspora, has expressed concern over Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration. While acknowledging infrastructural progress, they criticized the government for neglecting youth empowerment and human capital development, stressing that true growth must include investment in young people.

They also condemned the administration’s heavy taxation policies, describing them as harsh, insensitive to economic realities, and harmful to small businesses and citizens’ purchasing power.

On politics, the group rejected premature endorsements ahead of 2027, insisting that competent leaders exist within Nkanu and that fair, open competition is essential for strengthening democracy. They urged youths to avoid opportunistic endorsements and emphasized that good governance, not politics, should be the priority.

The organization called for clean water, reduced taxation, improved security, inclusive governance, and sustainable development programs as the real dividends of democracy.

Read below:

BEING THE PRESS STATEMENT BY THE LEADERSHIP OF NKANU YOUTH ORGANIZATION ON THIS DAY THE

26TH OF SEPTEMBER 2025

Distinguished members of the press, respected leaders, fellow youths, ladies and gentlemen — good afternoon.

The leadership of Nkanu Youth Organization, the umbrella body of all Nkanu Youths both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora have deemed it expedient to address you today on issues that affect not only the future of Nkanu land, but the yearnings of ndi Enugu.

We have quietly observed with eagle’s eye from the sidelines on the journey of the current administration so far with regards to the welfare of the youths of Nkanu Land and by extension the youths of Enugu state.

Our role as youths is clear: we are the bridge between today and tomorrow. As such, we cannot afford to be silent when posterity beckons, and when our people and situations demand our collective voice.

Recently, we have witnessed a wave of political endorsements across our dear state. While we acknowledge that individuals and groups are free to express support for leaders of their choice, we, the youths, believe that such endorsements are quite premature. Thus, we risk not attracting the dividends of democracy from the ruling class owing to unwarranted and unnecessary political distractions.

Devoid of sentiments, our position is simple – let all hands be on deck to deliver good governance for ndi Enugu, and let the politics of 2027 come at the appropriate time. Thus, we wish to seize this opportunity to draw the attention of whom it may concern on;

1. Human Capital Development

We call on the attention of the current administration led by Barr. Peter Mbah to the yearnings of young people in Nkanu. We have witnessed with disturbing concern, a staggering deficit in the attention given to the timeless agenda of human resource, capital and capacity development and youth empowerment in Enugu State. While we acknowledge the transcendental infrastructural renewal that has been brought to bare in the state, we must also let the government know that in order to achieve a greater Enugu, the government has to channel effective effort towards developing young persons. Human capital development works hand in hand with infrastructural development. Thus, young persons should be aggressively supported through well-thought, sustainable programs because a state is as viable as the quality of people that inhabit it.

2. Empathy, multiple taxations

The leadership of Nkanu Youth organization is saddened by the widespread outcry of ndi Enugu concerning the weight of the current administration’s tax iniatives. If nobody has told Mr. Governor, without fear or favour, we want to let His Excellency know that all is not well in Enugu. Ndi Enugu are suffering and smiling, dying softly and gradually through the tax arrows of the current administration that has proven to be a CAPITALIST government and has shown ZERO empathy to the people. We are therefore utilizing this medium to insist that while it is within the constitutional responsibility of every earning citizen to pay tax to government, the context of our local environment and the current economic realities in our dear state should be considered when deciding the amount of tax to be levied on citizens. It will be counterproductive to affirm an audacious vision to grow the State’s GDP to 30 billion dollars and then start by stiffling SMEs through heavy taxation and reducing the purchasing power of the people.

OUR STANCE ON FAIR POLITICS

Competence exists amongst our people:

Nkanu is blessed with men and women of vision, capacity, and integrity. Personalities such as H.E Barr. Peter Mbah, Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji (Nwakaibie), Capt. Everest Nnaji (Odengene), Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani among many others, are examples that we are not lacking in leadership talent. We believe that when the time comes for 2027 politics, the people will identify and support the right leaders from amongst our Nkanu sons. We urge that the contest be left open to all qualified Nkanu men and women in order to jettison rancor and acrimony within Nkanu land rather than being restricted or predetermined by baseless endorsements. Healthy competition will only strengthen democracy and give the people confidence in the process.

We are of the opinion that endorsements must reflect genuine interest not opportunism.

We thus, encourage young persons to distance themselves from the culture of cash-driven or opportunistic endorsements, as they tend to alienate the people and create the impression that politics is about personal gain rather than service.

For us, GOOD GOVERNANCE is the real priority.

Therefore, while we acknowledge the right of individuals and groups to endorse individuals as they deem fit, we maintain that premature endorsements add little value at this stage in our polity. What the people truly need is inclusive governance, transparency, and delivery on campaign promises. We hereby appeal to our political stakeholders leaders to channel their energy into addressing the real needs of our people.

The people genuinely need access to clean, pipe-borne water, reduction in excessive taxation that stifles business, enhanced security across the state, youth empowerment and human capital development, investment in people-oriented programmes and infrastructure.

These, to us, are the true dividends of democracy.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, let it be clear that our stance is not confrontational but a shared responsibility to encourage good governance and service delivery to our people. It is about reminding ourselves that politics should serve the people and not the other way around.

As the next generation of leaders, we are determined to play a decisive role in shaping the Enugu of tomorrow, a responsibility we embrace with total commitment and seriousness. It is on this ground that we respectfully note that the government must do more to carry youths along. Youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow — we are also stakeholders of today. Any thing done for us without us is completely against us.

As for 2027 elections, we maintain that the time for politicking has not yet come. At the right time, and through very broad consultations, Nkanu youths will speak with one voice, and when we do, we will support a candidate who embodies the collective aspirations of our people, a candidate who values integrity, empathy and service to the people above personal gain.

Finally, we are using this medium to encourage every eligible son and daughter of Nkanu land, and indeed all young people in Enugu State, to actively participate in the ongoing VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE. True power lies in the ability to vote and be counted.

Thank you, and may God bless Nkanu land, Enugu State, and Nigeria.

Comrade Dika David

President

Nkanu Youth Organization (Worldwide)