The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 election in Enugu State, Ray Kene Ogbodo, has asked Governor Peter Mbah to rethink his leadership approach, stressing that ambitious visions and policy announcements mean little unless they translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Ogbodo said that Governor Mbah came into office with an ambitious vision for transforming Enugu State but expressed concern that the administration was allegedly increasingly disconnecting from the economic and social realities confronting Enugu State.

In a statement he issued in Enugu, the governorship hopeful stated that one of the fundamental challenges confronting the administration was an apparent overreliance on recycled political actors and advisers interested in protecting their political positions and pleasing the Governor than offering independent thinking and practical solutions.

“A leader who surrounds himself with people who only tell him what he wants to hear will eventually lose touch with what the people are experiencing. Enugu does not need an echo chamber of political loyalists massaging the ego of the Governor. We need courageous thinkers, competent professionals, and innovative leaders who can challenge assumptions, speak uncomfortable truths, and deliver meaningful results”, he added

In the statement signed by his Media aid, Don Victor, he argued that although the administration had announced several ambitious programmes in infrastructure, education, economic development and public sector transformation, the critical question remained whether the investments and policies “are sufficiently improving household incomes, creating sustainable employment, reducing economic hardship and expanding opportunities for ordinary citizens”.

He stressed that infrastructure development and long-term economic transformation are important, but the government must strike a balance between ambitious capital projects and the immediate welfare of the people.

“You cannot claim meaningful transformation when the people who are supposed to benefit from it continue to struggle to meet their basic needs. Development must be measured not only by the projects government commissions but by the quality of life of the people it serves”, he said

He also questioned whether the administration has created an environment for independent advice,and constructive criticism, stressing that effective leadership required the humility to recognise when policies are not delivering the desired outcomes and the courage to make necessary adjustments.

“The danger facing any administration is not necessarily a lack of ideas but the inability to recognise when existing ideas are failing to produce the expected results. When political loyalty becomes more important than competence, and public relations begins to overshadow performance, governance risks losing its purpose”, he added

He called for a comprehensive leadership and policy review, particularly in areas affecting economic hardship, employment, taxation, small businesses, rural development, healthcare, and the well-being of vulnerable citizens.

He urged Governor Mbah to broaden his advisory and decision-making structures to accommodate independent professionals, experienced technocrats, community representatives, young innovators, and individuals with practical knowledge of the challenges facing the state.

According to him, the administration must also strengthen transparency, accountability, and public engagement to ensure that government priorities reflect the genuine needs of the people.

“Enugu does not belong to any political party, governor, or privileged political class. It belongs to the people. Every government policy, programme, and public investment must ultimately answer one fundamental question: How does this improve the lives of Ndi Enugu?”, he noted

The PRP governorship candidate emphasised that his criticism was not intended to undermine the administration but to encourage responsible leadership, constructive political engagement, and improved governance.

He maintained that opposition politics should not simply be about criticising those in power but about presenting credible alternatives and holding government accountable to the people.

“As a former governorship candidate in 2023 and a PRP governorship candidate for 2027, I believe Enugu deserves leadership that combines vision with competence, integrity, accountability, and measurable performance. Our responsibility is to challenge what is not working, acknowledge what is working, and offer practical alternatives that can move our state forward.”

Ogbodo urged Governor Mbah to use the remaining period of his current mandate to reconnect government policies with the everyday realities of citizens, review the effectiveness of his leadership team and prioritise programmes that deliver direct economic and social benefits.