The Golden Era vs. The Reign of Terror: Contrasting Sullivan Chime’s People-First Legacy with Peter Mbah’s Extortionist Nightmare

True governance is measured by how a leader treats the most vulnerable and how peace, dignity, and prosperity are sustained across the land. As the countdown to 2027 gathers momentum, the contrast between visionary leadership and predatory rule in Enugu State has never been starker. Ndi Enugu are openly contrasting the golden years of former Governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime with the harrowing, extortionist nightmare currently supervised by Governor Peter Mbah.

​During Sullivan Chime’s administration, governance wore a human face. Without placing an unbearable yoke on the shoulders of struggling citizens, Chime demonstrated extraordinary capacity and welfare-driven leadership. He empowered the grassroots by distributing 260 official cars to all 260 councilors across the state, ensured mobility across education by providing school buses to every secondary school in Enugu State, and accorded immense respect to traditional institutions by gifting cars to all traditional rulers. Above all, civil servants rejoiced under his watch with the introduction of the 13th-month salary, serving as a dependable buffer during festive seasons.

​Most importantly, Chime’s Enugu was defined by profound peace, tranquility, and security. Citizens could go about their daily lives without the constant terror of state-backed task forces, and crucially, the government never taxed Keke riders, bus drivers, barrow pushers, or street hawkers. Survival was not criminalized.

​Fast forward to the present day under Peter Mbah, and the atmosphere is one of unbridled oppression. Mbah’s administration operates like a corporate tax-collection agency designed to squeeze every last drop of blood from the poor. Keke riders are subjected to ruthless daily extortion despite empty square promises; petty traders and hawkers are hunted down by aggressive task forces; billions are pumped into duplicated hotel budgets while schools and hospitals rot; and the streets are plagued by rising insecurity and political violence.

​The verdict among Ndi Enugu is unanimous and ringing: Sullivan Chime delivered purposeful, humane leadership, while Peter Mbah’s tenure has brought unprecedented hardship and anguish. Ndi Enugu have long memories, and come 2027, the ballot box will bear witness to the rejection of executive wickedness and a collective return to genuine, people-oriented progress!