The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has strongly refuted claims by businessman Prince Arthur Eze that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu endorsed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for a second term. The party described the statement as misleading, baseless, and driven by personal interests rather than political reality.
In a statement by APC Enugu Publicity Secretary Titus Ezeagu, the party emphasized that Arthur Eze is not a member of the APC, has never played any official role in Tinubu’s campaign or administration, and therefore has no mandate to speak on the President’s behalf. The APC also highlighted that Eze openly opposed Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 elections.
The party urged Eze to desist from making pronouncements that could undermine the democratic process and the President’s image. It reaffirmed that any endorsement for a second term would come through the electoral process, not through media statements by individuals with questionable political affiliations.
Similarly, Dr. Josef Onoh, Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the South East, also dismissed Eze’s claim as a personal opinion that does not represent the Presidency. He noted that since Tinubu is APC and Governor Mbah is from the opposition PDP, any such endorsement would amount to anti-party activity and undermine democratic principles.
Onoh stressed that President Tinubu believes only the electorate has the power to endorse governors for a second term based on performance, not the President or party officials.
This rebuttal follows Arthur Eze’s earlier public claim during Governor Mbah’s second anniversary celebration that Tinubu had endorsed the governor for re-election, praising Mbah’s character and achievements. However, APC leaders maintain that no official endorsement has been made.
