A former House of Representatives member for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, says President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term in office, following his achievements in the past two years.

Onuigbo stated this in an interview with NAN while responding to Governor Peter Mbah’s defection from the PDP to the APC in Abuja on Wednesday.

The APC chieftain, who described Mbah’s defection as a wise move, said it has strengthened President Tinubu’s prospects of securing victory in the South-East by 2027.

“Governor Peter Mbah’s defection is a good omen for both the South-East and APC because he is a performing governor joining the mainstream.

“Mbah will complement the achievements of President Tinubu, who has performed creditably well with economic policies such as forex unification that are yielding fruits,” he said.

Onuigbo noted that Mbah’s move to the APC would enable the South-East geopolitical zone to negotiate from a position of strength, with three out of its five states now under the APC.

The former lawmaker, who also serves as the South-East representative on the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), advocated for financial autonomy for local governments.

He decried the alleged diversion of local government funds by some state governors, which, according to him, had impeded meaningful development at the grassroots.

Onuigbo urged governors to stop appointing their appendages as chairmen through charades in the name of council elections, thereby undermining the essence of the third tier of government.

He further explained that under Sections 197 and 124 of the 2002 Electoral Act, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) is mandated to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in line with Section 7 of the amended 1999 Constitution.

The APC chieftain attributed the infrastructural decay and insecurity at the grassroots to some governors, stressing that any local government election conducted outside the provisions of the Electoral Act is null and void.

He praised Governor Mbah of Enugu State for allowing local government chairmen access to funds, which has led to significant grassroots development and improved security across the state.

Peter Mbah: Tinubu deserves second term – Ex lawmaker Onuigbo