The governorship candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in Enugu State, Nnamdi Ugwu, has pledged to expand the state’s economy to $50 billion within four years if elected in the 2027 governorship election.

Ugwu made the promise over the weekend while unveiling his manifesto, expressing confidence that Enugu could develop into one of Africa’s major economic hubs through industrial growth, education and youth employment.

He proposed the introduction of free and compulsory education, the establishment of industries and the creation of job opportunities for young people, saying the measures would improve productivity and address social challenges.

The candidate also promised to provide free textbooks, exercise books and other learning materials in public schools. He said his administration would renovate classrooms and provide essential facilities, including desks, electricity and functional toilets.

Ugwu described education as a foundation for the state’s development, arguing that access to quality learning should not be treated as a privilege.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has rejected allegations linking the state government to the disruption of a town hall meeting reportedly scheduled to be addressed by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

The controversy followed a video circulated on social media over the weekend, alleging that the state government had instructed the management of an event centre to prevent the meeting from holding.

However, the APC, through its State Campaign Spokesperson and Director of Public Communications, Steve Oruruo, described the allegation as misleading and said the dispute arose from a private commercial arrangement involving the facility’s management and a client.

Oruruo stated that the party’s findings identified the client as Dr Sebastian Chuks Eze, who allegedly presented himself as the registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners.

The APC maintained that the state government should not be held responsible for the disagreement over the use of the venue.