The Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, Hon. Barr. Ugo-Ferdinand Ukwueze, has taken a jibe at the self-acclaimed founder of the Obidient Movement, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, over invective comments against the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
Barr. Ukwueze made this known on Monday while responding to a video made by the Coordinator-General of the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP), Comrade Kennedy Iyere, where he made a series of vituperative comments against Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and asserted that he was a mistake made by the people of Enugu State.
He stated that Comrade Iyere, who is currently under investigation for alleged fraud to the tune of ₦113,508,757, is a renowned extortionist, empty threat-peddler, disingenuous and perfidious fellow who feeds on smear merchandising. He said Iyere should be focused on clearing his name from the financial scandal rocking NIYEEDEP, following allegations by Silver Green Hotel Ltd and others that he defrauded them.
“It is unfortunate that a man battling serious fraud allegations would abandon the task of clearing his name to engage in reckless attacks. Such conduct exposes desperation, not courage, and confirms a pattern of extortion, blackmail, and smear campaigns driven by personal greed rather than public interest.”
He posited that Iyere, who once campaigned for Governor Mbah and urged other gubernatorial candidates to support him after he won the election, should be worried about his declining reputation, noting that he is fast becoming an embodiment of greed and gluttony.
Barr. Ukwueze also questioned Iyere’s integrity and patriotism following his suspicious withdrawal from the Edo State governorship race under the Accord Party in 2024, a few days to the election, after an alleged settlement with the candidate of the ruling party.
He further countered Iyere’s claim that Governor Mbah was broke before the 2023 general election, describing the statement as malicious and driven by deep-seated bitterness.
“When someone lies openly about a man’s past and success, it only shows envy and hatred. These statements were not facts but carefully planned falsehoods meant to mislead the public and tarnish the image of a Governor whose record speaks louder than noise. The records of his assets declaration are there at the Code of Conduct Bureau for all to see. This is a man who has been constructing roads, building hospitals and schools before becoming the Governor and still has not reneged on doing more. What then is Comrade Iyere talking about being broke? It shows how daft in brain that he is.”
The ALGON Enugu State number two also warned Iyere to mind the language he uses against a Governor who leads over seven million people, urging him to desist from hate speech.
He also wondered why Iyere would allege that Governor Mbah told unnamed friends that he had settled him, without stating who was told, where it was said, or why such a settlement would occur.
“You cannot make serious allegations without facts, names, places, or reasons. Leadership demands responsibility. Spreading vague stories without proof is dangerous, dishonest, and capable of causing unnecessary tension. Such claims should be backed with evidence or withdrawn completely.”
Barr. Ukwueze also educated Comrade Iyere on how Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has prudently utilized the state’s revenues, which he said has earned him wide public acclaim and several Governor-of-the-Year awards from notable organizations.
“The Governor is using state funds to build roads, schools, hospitals, and security systems. We have 260 Type 2 hospitals, 260 smart schools, 17 science schools, a 300-bedded international hospital, an international conference hotel, six aircraft under Enugu Air, more than 4,000 km of roads being constructed and completed across the state, security CCTV cameras, ultra-modern command and control centres, revival of Niger Gas and other moribund state-owned industries, amongst others. All these and more are what Governor Mbah has been doing with our money, as Enugu has turned into a construction site. People can see development everywhere. That is why Enugu is progressing and why many groups recognize him as Governor of the Year.”
