The controversy surrounding the contractual disagreement between Amadeo Event Centre, a privately owned business in Enugu, and the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners has largely died down. However, the episode has raised questions about the way political disagreements are being presented to the public, particularly after opposition figures allegedly portrayed the matter as an attempt by the Enugu State Government to prevent the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from holding a town hall meeting in the state capital.
In an opinion piece, Uche Anichukwu argued that the disagreement was a private contractual matter that was unnecessarily turned into a political controversy. He accused opposition figures of using the incident to attack Governor Peter Mbah’s administration rather than engaging the government on its performance and policies.
Anichukwu also criticised what he described as the growing use of misinformation and personal attacks in Enugu’s political space, singling out Sam Amadi, a lawyer and public intellectual whom he said he had known for more than two decades.
According to him, Amadi’s commentary on the controversy was particularly disappointing because of his professional background and longstanding reputation as a public intellectual. He questioned why someone with his legal experience would make such serious claims without first seeking clarification from the other side.
Anichukwu recalled the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa’s observation in the case of Garba v. University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 550, stressing the importance of hearing both sides before reaching a judgment. He maintained that Amadi could easily have contacted him to obtain further information but instead chose to make his arguments from a political standpoint.
He further argued that Amadi’s subsequent response to criticism from supporters and officials of Governor Mbah did little to address the concerns raised about his commentary. Rather than reconsidering some of his claims, Anichukwu said, Amadi appeared more interested in defending his position.
The writer believes the situation also highlights the need to distinguish between Amadi’s role as a public intellectual and his current political ambitions, particularly his reported interest in contesting the Imo State governorship election in November 2027 under the NDC.
One of the claims Anichukwu strongly disputed was Amadi’s description of Enugu as Nigeria’s most politically violent state. He questioned the basis for the assertion, arguing that no credible survey or supporting evidence had been presented to justify such a conclusion.
He also challenged Amadi’s claim that someone was shot dead at a political rally in Enugu every week, describing it as a serious allegation that required verifiable details, including names, dates and locations.
Anichukwu maintained that available security assessments and travel advisories from international governments, including the United Kingdom, have generally presented Enugu as one of Nigeria’s more peaceful states.
Beyond the security debate, the writer identified what he considered the central disagreement between Amadi and Governor Mbah: the governor’s political support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Although Amadi reportedly acknowledged Mbah’s right to support Tinubu, Anichukwu argued that his criticism suggested an expectation that every Igbo political leader should automatically support Peter Obi.
He maintained that while the ambition of producing a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction enjoys considerable support, there are legitimate differences over how best to achieve that objective.
According to him, some political leaders favour pursuing the ambition through individual popularity and immediate political mobilisation, while others believe strategic alliances and cooperation with other regions offer a more realistic path. He argued that neither position should be treated as an act of betrayal.
To support his position, Anichukwu pointed to historical political disagreements among prominent Igbo leaders. He recalled the 1957 Eastern Region House of Assembly election, when Samuel Goomsu Ikoku defeated his father, Dr Alvan Ikoku, in the Arochukwu constituency.
He also cited the 1983 senatorial contest in the old Anambra State, when Dr Edwin Onwudiwe of the Nigerian People’s Party defeated Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu of the National Party of Nigeria in the Onitsha Senatorial District.
The writer further noted that Ojukwu’s decision to join the NPN, rather than the party led by his political mentor, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, demonstrated that political choices among Igbo leaders have never been entirely uniform.
He also referenced Ojukwu’s wife, who currently serves as a minister in President Tinubu’s administration, arguing that political affiliations should not automatically be interpreted as opposition to Igbo interests.
Anichukwu equally questioned what he described as the double standards of celebrating Yoruba and Northern politicians who support Obi while condemning Igbo leaders who align with Tinubu or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He argued that the South East, which has the smallest number of registered voters among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with 11,976,218 voters out of the 103,428,715 registered nationwide, cannot afford to approach national politics without considering the importance of wider political alliances.
The writer also turned his attention to Amadi’s assessment of Enugu’s economic performance, particularly the state’s significant improvement in internally generated revenue under Governor Mbah.
Although acknowledging that Enugu moved from the lower end of the IGR rankings to third position nationally in 2025, behind Lagos and Rivers states, Anichukwu disputed suggestions that the increase was driven mainly by excessive taxation.
He explained that out of the N406.7 billion generated by the state in 2025, tax revenue contributed N51.5 billion, representing 12.6 per cent, while non-tax revenue accounted for N355.2 billion, or 87.4 per cent.
According to him, the figures show that the increase was largely driven by improved revenue management, the recovery of public assets and efforts to eliminate financial leakages rather than a heavy tax burden on residents.
Anichukwu also highlighted the role of technology in the Mbah administration’s revenue reforms, noting that the government had introduced digital systems to improve collection, reduce operational costs and prevent public funds from being diverted into private accounts.
He added that the administration had expanded the state’s revenue base through the recovery, revival and commercialisation of previously underperforming government assets, including Nigergas Limited, Enugu United Palm Products Limited, Hotel Presidential and the International Conference Centre.
The emergence of new ventures, including Enugu Air, was also cited as part of the administration’s efforts to create additional sources of revenue.
On the question of economic growth, Anichukwu argued that Amadi’s assessment failed to sufficiently account for the changes taking place across Enugu’s economy since 2023.
He maintained that the state was gradually moving beyond its traditional dependence on civil service activities, with increased investments and business opportunities emerging in agriculture, manufacturing, trade, tourism and other sectors.
He questioned the reliance on older GDP figures to assess the state’s current economic position, arguing that the growing level of commercial activity and investment under the present administration should be reflected in more recent economic data.
In his overall assessment, Anichukwu suggested that Amadi’s criticism of Governor Mbah should be viewed against the background of his own political ambitions rather than presented solely as an effort to defend Peter Obi or promote Igbo interests.
He recalled that Amadi was unable to secure the Labour Party ticket for the 2023 Imo governorship election and argued that his current political calculations may be influenced by his desire to contest the state’s top political office in 2027.
While acknowledging that Amadi has every right to pursue his political ambitions, Anichukwu insisted that such interests should be separated from claims of speaking on behalf of Peter Obi or the wider Igbo community.
The article ultimately reflects the deepening political disagreements over party loyalty, regional interests and the 2027 elections, particularly as politicians and public figures continue to differ on the best approach to securing greater political influence for the South East.
The exchange has also brought renewed attention to the need for evidence based political commentary, especially when claims about public security, governance and economic performance are presented as facts.
