Gov. Mbah accused of handing over Enugu’s critical agencies to South-West associates
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport last week has sparked fresh scrutiny of Governor Peter Mbah’s appointments.
The airline is headed by its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Tolu Ita, a Lagos-based aviation executive. Critics of the administration say their concern is not her individual appointment, but what they describe as the dominance of non-indigenes from the South-West in key positions in the Enugu State Government.
Among those cited is retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo, who heads the Enugu State Forest Guard as Commander. Before his appointment in June 2025, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the Enugu State Police Command.
Also listed is Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, Managing Director of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS). Before his appointment, he served as Director-General and Chief Executive of the Ondo State Radio and Television Corporation and was Controller of Current Affairs at Channels Television.
The list also includes Mrs. Adenike Okebu, former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Revenue and now Acting Managing Director of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC).
Critics also allege that at the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), while Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani heads the agency, critical departments are managed and supervised by appointees from the South-West.
A critic who spoke to TheNiche on condition of anonymity said the concern of Enugu people is not the appointments themselves, but competence. “If they were competent, we wouldn’t bring their matter to the table,” he said.
The critics further accused Governor Mbah of having a preference for contractors from the South-West, citing the botched N11 billion contract awarded to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, owned by Olasijibomi Ogundele, for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools. The Enugu State Government later accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, alleging that while he presented a bond issued by Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he received over N5 billion representing 50 per cent of the contract sum through the company’s Zenith Bank account registered with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, making it impossible for the state to hold Jaiz Bank liable.
However, the Enugu State Government said Governor Mbah’s appointments are based on merit, not tribe, noting that global progress thrives on competence, not state of origin.
The government said the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly are 100 per cent Enugu indigenes, and that only three out of over 50 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants are Yoruba, with key MDAs still led by Enugu natives.
