It was a humid Thursday afternoon in Enugu when our crew finally caught up with Hon. Chimezie Felix Mba, the Special Personal Assistant on Urban and Rural Development to the Executive Chairman of Udenu Local Government Council, Aka Eze Aka.
The soft-spoken technocrat, who hails from Umuashua Village in Orba Ward I, Udenu LGA, is not your regular politician. With over 17 years in commercial and corporate banking at top levels in Lagos and now Managing Director of 34V Engineering Company, a name synonymous with innovation in Nigeria’s real-estate and infrastructure space, Mba brings a refreshing mix of intellect, corporate discipline, and grassroots insight into politics.
Two days after the political thunderbolt that saw Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, all 17 local government chairmen, 23 of the 24 members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and nearly all PDP structures in the state join the APC at a grand rally in Okpara Square, Enugu, Mba sat down with The Concourse Media for an exclusive conversation.
In this interview, he speaks passionately about the defection, the Governor’s leadership philosophy, and why Enugu’s realignment with the centre is the smartest move for sustainable development.
Excerpt:
The Concourse: Hon. Mba, thank you for squeezing time out of your tight schedule to speak with us. Let’s start with the big story: Enugu’s political landscape just changed dramatically. You were visibly present at the Okpara Square during the defection rally where Governor Peter Mbah, your principal Aka Eze Aka, and virtually the entire PDP structure in Enugu State officially joined the APC. How do you personally interpret this development?
Hon. Chimezie Mba: Thank you. It’s indeed a defining moment in our state’s political history. What happened at Okpara Square wasn’t just a mass defection, it was actually, a strategic realignment of purpose. His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has consistently emphasized performance-driven leadership, not party-driven politics. What he did, in my view, was to move Enugu from the periphery to the centre of national relevance.
When the Governor said he wanted to connect Enugu to the centre, he wasn’t speaking rhetorically. He was speaking with a vision that transcends partisan boundaries. And as someone who believes deeply in results, not labels, I see his move as one of courage and foresight.
“It Wasn’t Just a Defection — It Was a Realignment of Purpose” — Chimezie Mba
The Concourse: That’s quite profound. But some critics have argued that the mass movement from PDP to APC was driven more by survival instincts than by ideology. What do you say to that?
Hon. Mba: (smiles) Politics without vision is mere survival. But what Governor Mbah has done is visionary politics. We are not joining APC for survival.. we are joining to thrive. Enugu cannot remain isolated in a national structure where key decisions, policies, and opportunities flow from the centre.
I come from a corporate background where decisions are guided by data, performance, and strategic advantage. If aligning with the ruling party at the centre will bring more federal presence, attract investors, and create sustainable growth, then that’s not opportunism — that’s smart governance.
For me and thousands of others who believe in Mbah’s disruptive leadership style, this move is a continuation of his philosophy of thinking beyond convention.
“We are not joining APC for survival — we are joining to thrive.” “This Is Visionary Politics, Not Survival Politics” — Hon. Chimezie Felix Mba
The Concourse: You were among those who mobilized people from your ward to join the Governor in the move. What was the mood like among your people?
Hon. Mba: Of course, the mood was electric, full of optimism. In Orba Ward I, where I hail from, the people understand that development does not wear a political colour. What they want are roads, jobs, clean water, good schools, and a functioning healthcare system.
When I engaged them, I explained that this move was not about abandoning the PDP, but about embracing a broader opportunity for development. The people saw reason with us. Many of them have seen the tangible transformation that Governor Mbah has initiated in just one year, including the smart schools, the healthcare centres, the roads. So when I said, “Let’s follow a performing leader,” they didn’t hesitate.
The Concourse: You have a solid corporate background — over 17 years in banking before transitioning into public service and real estate. What draws you personally to Governor Mbah’s style of leadership?
Hon. Mba: Leadership, to me, is about clarity of vision and discipline in execution. Governor Mbah embodies those qualities. Coming from the private sector myself, I see in him the precision of a CEO and the heart of a servant leader.
He talks about transformation, not transactions. That philosophy strikes a chord with me. I remember my days in corporate banking in Lagos, managing portfolios worth billions and learning how systems work. You succeed only when you combine discipline, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Mbah has brought that same corporate rigor to governance. I mean, he’s setting measurable targets, demanding accountability, and building partnerships. That’s why I support him unreservedly. He represents the bridge between public governance and private efficiency.
“The Grassroots Understand That Development Has No Party Colour”
The Concourse: Many people have described the Okpara Square event as a “political earthquake.” What moment from that event stood out for you personally?
Hon. Mba: (laughs) It truly was a political earthquake! The most defining moment for me was when Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended Governor Mbah for his courage and called him “a shining light of the new South East politics.” He summarily told all Nigerians that Gov. Mbah (statutorily) is now the Leader of the Party in the State. That was powerful.
You could feel the shift, a sense that Enugu had just walked into a new era. I also admired how our Local Government Chairmen, Legislators, and other Stakeholders spoke with one voice. It was unity in action, and that is rare in politics.
“Okpara Square, two days ago Was the Birth of a New Political Consciousness”
The Concourse: Some people are still trying to wrap their heads around the idea of almost the entire PDP structure in Enugu joining APC, after over 26 years. Do you think this will change the political dynamics of the state permanently?
Hon. Mba: Absolutely, yes. What has happened is not a temporary coalition; it’s a realignment of purpose. Enugu has always been known for political stability, but this move has elevated that stability to strategic alignment.
We’re not talking about just politicians changing platforms. We’re talking about governance continuity, policy alignment, and resource synergy. When 98 percent of PDP members, from the State assembly to the grassroots, move in one direction, it tells you that people believe in something greater than party sentiment.
So yes, the political dynamics of Enugu have changed forever. What we are seeing is the birth of a new political consciousness, pragmatic, inclusive, and development-oriented.
The Concourse: You currently serve as the Special Assistant on Urban and Rural Development to the Udenu Council Chairman, Aka Eze Aka, who also decamped. How does your office fit into this new political transition?
Hon. Mba: My office has always been about bridging the gap between urban innovation and rural transformation. The Governor’s vision of “A New Enugu State” aligns perfectly with what we are doing at the Local level in Udenu.
Under the leadership of our Chairman, Aka Eze Aka, we have been intentional about integrating smart development policies into rural communities, promoting modern markets, accessible roads, and inclusive housing layouts.
Now, being in synergy with the ruling party at the Federal level means more access to federal grants, developmental partnerships, and infrastructural funding. My job is to ensure that our rural areas benefit fully from this alignment, that no village, no hamlet, is left behind in the process.
The Concourse: Let’s talk about your personal journey a bit. You transitioned from the corporate banking world to politics and public service. What inspired that move?
Hon. Mba: It was purpose. After years of corporate success, I felt an inner call to contribute directly to community development. In banking, you move funds; in governance, you move lives.
I wanted to bring the discipline, transparency, and results-oriented mindset of the corporate world into the public space. And when I met leaders like Aka Eze Aka and Governor Mbah, I saw that possibility becoming reality. They represent the kind of governance that excites professionals, one that measures progress not by slogans, but by tangible impact.
The Concourse: What do you say to critics who still doubt the sincerity of the decamping, or those who insist it was politically motivated?
Hon. Mba: (leans forward) Let me say this clearly: sincerity is proven by consistency of action, not by noise. Governor Mbah has been consistent, in his policies, his reforms, and his results. Look at the smart schools project — 260 of them, one per ward. Look at the healthcare centres, the road network, the e-governance reforms. These are not the works of a man chasing politics; they are the works of a man chasing progress.
So, it bears repeating again, that for us, joining the APC is not an act of political convenience, it’s an act of progressive alignment. It’s about positioning Enugu to benefit maximally from federal programs and infrastructure. The doubters will eventually see the fruits.
The Concourse: Finally, what’s your message to the people of Enugu State and your constituents in Udenu?
Hon. Mba: My message is simple: Let’s keep faith with leadership that delivers. The era of politics for politics’ sake is over. This is the time for politics of purpose.
Governor Mbah is already setting a pace that even his critics cannot deny. Our Chairman, Aka Eze Aka, is translating that vision locally with zeal and competence. I call on our people to continue supporting them.
The Concourse: Thank you very much, Hon. Mba, for your time and your candour.
Hon. Mba: It’s my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
