Minister Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh Endorses Tinubu, Mbah Ahead of 2027 Elections at ATM Political Meeting in Enugu State.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah ahead of the 2027 general elections at the ATM movement in Enugu State.
The meeting, convened by Igbokwe Onyebuchi Okadigbo and facilitated by Darlington Ugwuebe, marked the first engagement of the ATM political support structure, which aims to mobilise grassroots support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah.
Friday Ugwu said the opening prayer, while Darlington Ugwuebe delivered the facilitator's opening remarks.
In his address, Okadigbo acknowledged the presence of 51 attendees drawn from different local government areas across Enugu State. He described the initiative as intentional and a strategic political structure being established by the minister.
He further stated that the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is the matron of the movement and that his excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of the initiative. He also highlighted the need to achieve key organisational objectives ahead of the commencement of electioneering activities.
Minister Tochukwu Udeh Calls for Grassroots Mobilisation
Addressing participants, Minister Udeh emphasised that his primary political responsibility as a minister was to deliver his polling unit and ward, stressing the importance of grassroots mobilisation in securing electoral victories.
“My major task as a minister is to deliver my polling unit and my ward,” he said.
The minister explained that the ATM movement was designed to mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ensure effective coordination across the various wards and local government areas of Enugu State.
He disclosed that Toyota Direct Belgium buses had been acquired to support campaign activities and withstand the demands of grassroots mobilisation.
According to him, the strategy would involve a series of meetings and the establishment of functional political structures across the state, with mobilisation extending from the state level to individual wards and polling units.
“Politics is local, and I don't do favouritism in politics. He who works will eat,” Udeh stated.
Concluding the minister's address, Okadigbo underscored the importance of hard work and visibility in political engagement, saying, “You must be outstanding for you to be noticed.”
Participants Debate Political Support Structures
The meeting subsequently opened the floor for discussions on whether individuals should be permitted to belong to multiple political support groups.
Hon. Osinachi Ugwu argued that the existence of multiple support groups could help move the party forward if they contributed meaningfully to its objectives.
However, Comrade Mike Okenwa, Senior Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Grassroots Sports Development, noted that the governor did not favour individuals belonging to multiple political support groups. He emphasised that every member should concentrate on delivering results at the polling-unit level.
Hon. Benjamin Ejiofor Ikah called for the inclusion of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as “okada” riders, in the mobilisation programme to strengthen the movement's grassroots reach.
Similarly, Hon. Peter Ogbonna urged the organisers to expedite the establishment of structures across local government areas, wards and polling units. He warned against relying on borrowed crowds during political campaigns and stressed the need to build a strong, identifiable support base.
Hon. Chinwuba Ugwuoke cautioned against repeatedly relying on the same individuals to populate political structures without establishing a genuine presence at the grassroots.
He maintained that the movement needed committed and capable people with influence in rural communities and villages who could effectively mobilise residents and deliver tangible results.
Local Government Structures, Campaigns Planned for November
As part of efforts to strengthen the movement, the organisers announced plans to commence election campaign activities in the first week of November for local government areas that had established complete structures.
The meeting also featured the appointment of zonal leaders, coordinators and secretaries across the various local government areas to facilitate coordination and mobilisation.
Participants were encouraged to focus on building effective structures at every level to ensure that the movement could translate its political objectives into grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The gathering adopted the slogan: “ATM: We Move.” The slogan was further linked to the APC and the Igbo expression, “Ebe Sere Aziza,” followed by “Ka-ayi ga-ebinye aka pii,” as part of the movement's campaign identity. The acronym ‘ATM’ was coined from; ‘As Tinubu and Mbah Moves, 2027.
Dignitaries and Participants
The meeting attracted political stakeholders, public office holders, professionals, labour representatives, community leaders and supporters from across Enugu State.
Those listed among the attendees included Comrade Udoagha Ani, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Enugu State; Comrade Barr. Fabian Nwigbo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Enugu State; Comrade Amaka Agbo, National Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, South-East Zone; Dr Arinze Ogbodo, physiotherapist with the Federal Ministry of Health; Hon. Ozor Chris Anidiobi, Manager of Akusinachi Homes Limited; Malife Chigbo, Managing Director of De Maly Oil & Gas; and Eze Collins, Executive Director of TOTAL Foundation.
Other participants included Chuba Aniakudo; Surveyor Achionye Obinnal, Political Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Campaign in the South-East; Prof. Charles U. Ezenobi, former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); Hon. Ogbonna Peter, former Special Political Adviser in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area; Kenneth Ofoma, Senior Special Assistant on Policy and Communication to Governor Peter Mbah; and Rex Buchi Akwolu, Managing Director of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area Mass Transit.
Also listed were Hon. Okay Gerald; Senator Ikeje Asogwa; Nduka Chikaodili Ethel, a member of Umuada Peter Mbah Worldwide in Oji River; Ugwu Nnanna of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area; Arc. Ugwu Chukwuemeka J.; Okoro Onyekachi; Hon. Fidelis Ochiagha; Chief Charles Odo, Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Sea; Ogbuefi Esther, Ezeagu Women Leader; and Ezeme Thaddeus Chukwudi, an industrial psychologist from Udenu.
Other attendees included Hon. Ede Nelson Nwachukwu, former Enugu State Coordinator of the CDP; Comrade Mike Okenwa, Senior Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports Development; Bonny Chukwuma of the NURTW in Aninri Local Government Area; Dr Chike; Mrs Amaka, identified as a vice-chairperson of the NUJ; Captain Dike; Barr. Onuorah, Labour Party chairmanship candidate in Igbo-Eze North; Aneke Ignatius of Udi; Nelson Edeh; Hon. Chinwubah; Engr. Arinze; and Darlington Ugwuebe.
Closing remarks were given from the convener, who thanked participants for attending and urged them to remain committed to the movement's objectives. The meeting concluded with a call for accelerated grassroots mobilisation, effective coordination and the establishment of functional political structures across Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.