The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has formally elected Professor Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election.
Nnaji emerged as the party’s candidate during a direct primary held in Enugu on Saturday, September 12, 2026, and subsequently unveiled a nine-point development agenda centred on security, economic revival, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and grassroots development.
In his acceptance speech, the Professor of International Law and Global Politics expressed gratitude to the NNPP leadership, delegates, members and the people of Enugu State for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged that, if elected governor in February 2027, his administration would commence implementation of its programmes from its first day in office, describing his proposed stewardship as “a total transformation” and “a total new Enugu.”
Nnaji identified security as the top priority of his administration, promising to secure communities, farms and streets across the state and ensure the protection of lives and property.
On the economy, he promised to industrialise Enugu and position the state as an investment hub in the South-East. He also pledged to support traders, artisans and entrepreneurs through single-digit loans and an improved business environment.
The NNPP candidate further promised to create 100,000 sustainable jobs within four years through agriculture, technology hubs, the creative industry and industrial clusters in Emene, Ninth Mile and Nsukka.
In education, Nnaji proposed free and compulsory quality primary education, renovation of public schools, free West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations for Enugu indigenes, as well as a functional bursary and scholarship scheme for tertiary students.
He also promised improved welfare for teachers.
On healthcare, Nnaji pledged free healthcare for pregnant women, children under five and elderly citizens above 65 years, while promising to equip General Hospitals and revitalise Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards.
His agricultural agenda includes the provision of mechanised farming tools, improved seedlings and guaranteed markets for major agricultural products, including Adani rice, Nsukka yams and palm produce.
On infrastructure, the NNPP candidate promised quality urban and rural roads, clean and constant water supply in Enugu metropolis within six months of assuming office, as well as rural electrification.
Nnaji also pledged regular payment of workers’ salaries, promising that salaries would be paid on or before the 25th of every month. He further promised the payment of pensions and gratuities and an end to prolonged hardship faced by pensioners.
On local government administration, he promised to restore power to the grassroots and ensure that development reaches communities across the state, from Uzo-Uwani to Aninri and from Igbo-Etiti to Awgu.
Earlier, NNPP State Chairman, Chief Chuba Mgbagbu, criticised aspects of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, particularly its tax policy, rising rents and road conditions.
Mgbagbu said the NNPP was prepared to provide an alternative political platform for Ndi Enugu, insisting that the party had structures across the 17 local government areas.
He said Nnaji emerged unopposed because no other aspirant sought the party’s governorship ticket, describing him as an accomplished academic with the experience and capacity to listen to the people.
“We are on ground in all the local governments. People have eyes. People’s votes will count. We believe we will win the election,” Mgbagbu said.
The NNPP chairman also rejected the description of the party as a Northern political party, noting that its founder, Chief Boniface Aniebonam, hails from Anambra State.
In his concluding remarks, Nnaji said his candidacy was not merely about the NNPP but about the future of Enugu State.
“This is not just about NNPP. This is about Ndi Enugu. This is about our future,” he said, declaring his readiness to serve and lead the state if given the mandate in 2027.
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