2027 Enugu Guber: NNPP Candidate Prof. Jehu Nnaji Promises 100,000 Jobs, Unveils 9-Point Agenda
By Genesis Ogiri | Political Correspondence
ENUGU — Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State, the Governorship Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Professor Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji, has unveiled a nine-point development agenda, promising to create 100,000 sustainable jobs within four years if elected governor.
Nnaji made the pledge in his acceptance speech after emerging as the NNPP candidate, saying he would not take the confidence reposed in him by party delegates and members for granted. He promised to commence implementation of his programmes from the first day in office, describing his proposed administration as one of “total stewardship” and “total transformation.”
Security, according to the candidate, would form the foundation of his administration, with a commitment to protect lives and property across communities, farms and urban centres. He pledged to make Enugu safe while strengthening the environment for economic activities and social development.
On the economy, Nnaji promised an industrialisation programme designed to position Enugu as an investment hub in the Southeast. He said traders, artisans and entrepreneurs would receive support through access to single-digit loans and improved ease of doing business, while his youth employment programme would generate 100,000 sustainable jobs through agriculture, technology hubs, the creative industry and industrial clusters in Emene, 9th Mile and Nsukka.
The NNPP candidate also placed education and healthcare among his major priorities. He promised free and compulsory quality primary education, renovation of public schools, free WAEC and NECO examinations for Enugu indigenes, functional bursary and scholarship programmes, and improved welfare for teachers. In healthcare, he pledged free services for pregnant women, children under five and persons above 65, alongside the equipping of General Hospitals and revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards.
Nnaji further proposed an agricultural revolution aimed at strengthening food production and opening new markets for farmers. He promised mechanised farming equipment, improved seedlings and guaranteed markets for major agricultural products, including Adani rice, Nsukka yams and palm produce, as part of efforts to make Enugu more self-sufficient in food production.
Infrastructure also featured prominently in the agenda, with the candidate promising quality urban and rural roads, improved water supply in Enugu metropolis and rural electrification. He specifically pledged to deliver clean and constant water supply in the state capital within six months if elected, while expanding infrastructure development to rural communities.
On workers and pensioners, Nnaji promised timely payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, proposing that civil servants receive their salaries on the 25th of every month. He also pledged to strengthen local government autonomy and ensure that development reaches communities across the state, including Uzo-Uwani, Aninri, Igbo-Etiti and Awgu.
The NNPP candidate said the 2027 election should be viewed beyond partisan considerations, describing it as a decision about the future direction of Enugu State. He called on Ndi Enugu to support his vision, declaring that he was ready to serve, lead and work with the people towards building what he described as “a new Enugu.”
