By John Chukwugozie Ugwuiyi NSUKKA — A political endorsement rally in support of Peter Mbah on Saturday was met with protests in Nsukka, as groups of women and youths staged a counter-demonstration to express dissatisfaction with his administration. The endorsement rally, held at the Nsukka Township Stadium, was organised by stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu North Senatorial Zone. The event also featured support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawing party members and political figures from across the zone. However, shortly after the rally, hundreds of residents gathered in different parts of Nsukka in protest, rejecting the endorsement and insisting it did not reflect the position of the wider population in the area. The demonstrators, who identified themselves as concerned stakeholders rather than political opponents, said the governor had not done enough in Enugu North to justify a second-term bid. They carried placards and chanted solidarity songs while outlining their grievances. Prominent among their complaints was the alleged lack of road infrastructure across the senatorial district. The protesters claimed that no significant road projects had been executed in the area since 2023. They also criticised the demolition of the Ogige Market, describing it as a major disruption to local economic activities. According to them, the market, which previously served as a key commercial hub, was replaced with a motor park and a fuel station, leaving many traders without a means of livelihood. The group further alleged that the lock-up shops constructed after the demolition were insufficient and largely unaffordable for displaced traders. They claimed that access to the new shops had been limited to individuals with political connections, excluding many of the original occupants. In addition, the protesters accused the state government of marginalising Enugu North despite its contribution to the governor’s electoral victory in 2023. They argued that the zone had not received adequate development projects compared to other parts of the state. Economic concerns also featured prominently, with demonstrators alleging that increased taxation had worsened living conditions and forced some small businesses to shut down. Leaders of the protest, who declined to be named, emphasised that their action was not driven by partisan interests. Instead, they said it was aimed at demanding accountability and improved governance. “We are not here to support any candidate,” one protester said. “We will assess anyone seeking our votes in 2027 based on their performance.” They maintained that the endorsement rally did not represent the collective will of the people of Enugu North, adding that the decision of who to support would ultimately be made by voters during the next election cycle. The development highlights emerging political tensions in Enugu State as early alignments and opposition begin to shape ahead of the 2027 general elections. Post navigation WHEN USA PERSECUTES YOU