By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, Dec. 23, 2025
In a move signaling a strategic realignment of his administration’s executive arm, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday inaugurated two new commissioners into the State Executive Council. The governor framed the appointments as a critical step to inject renewed momentum and specialized focus into his government’s drive for impactful governance.
The newly sworn-in officials are Mr. Osinachi Nnajieze, now the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Dr. Charles Egumgbe, the pioneer Commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development.
Strategic Appointments and Portfolio Rationalization
The appointments are not merely replacements but represent a deliberate restructuring. Mr. Osinachi Nnajieze, previously the Special Adviser on Legal Matters, steps into the role vacated by Dr. Kingsley Udeh, who is now the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. This internal promotion suggests a preference for continuity and familiarity with the administration’s legal framework.
More notably, the creation of a standalone Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development—carved out from the broader Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs—marks a significant administrative decision. This move underscores Governor Mbah’s stated view of traditional institutions and rural communities as “critical centres of administration and development.” By dedicating a full ministry to this sector, the administration aims to deepen grassroots engagement, streamline chieftaincy affairs, and accelerate rural development projects with undivided attention.
“No Holiday” Mandate and Elevated Expectations
Governor Mbah set a demanding tone during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House in Enugu. He declared there would be “no holiday” for the new appointees or existing ones, emphasizing the immense workload ahead. This directive reflects the administration’s self-acknowledged success in raising public expectations through its “massive achievements in less than three years.” The governor’s message was clear: the pace of transformation must not only be maintained but accelerated.
Centralizing Oversight: The Justice Ministry as the New “Engine Room”
Perhaps the most substantial policy announcement was the governor’s directive to centralize all contract payments through the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Governor Mbah explicitly stated this was to “checkmate observed sharp practices by some unscrupulous contractors.”
He elevated the Ministry of Justice to the status of the government’s “engine room,” stating: “All we do and achieve in the state is determined by the effectiveness of the Ministry of Justice… If we want to move on contract, investment and project, we must get clearance from the ministry of justice.” This move represents a major shift in governance protocol, aiming to embed legal oversight and due diligence at the very heart of financial transactions and project execution. It is a direct response to procurement vulnerabilities and seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability.
Charge to the New Commissioners
Governor Mbah charged Mr. Nnajieze to immediately brace for the “sensitiveness and enormity” of his role as the state’s chief law officer. To Dr. Egumgbe, he directed a focus on strengthening traditional institutions and instilling “sanity and order” in the chieftaincy sub-sector, which is often fraught with disputes.
In his response on behalf of both appointees, the new Attorney General, Mr. Osinachi Nnajieze, acknowledged the weight of expectations. He pledged to add impetus to the governor’s “humongous vision and unprecedented transformation” of Enugu State, promising to “drive the vision… every step of the way.”
Analysis: This swearing-in ceremony transcended a routine appointment. It served as a platform for Governor Mbah to announce a significant anti-corruption measure in contract management, rationalize the structure of his government for better focus, and rally his team towards a non-stop delivery agenda. The creation of a dedicated chieftaincy ministry and the empowering of the Justice ministry are tactical moves intended to solidify governance at both the grassroots and the core executive levels. The coming months will reveal how these structural and procedural changes translate into tangible outcomes for the people of Enugu State.
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
(Source: NAN News)
