Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has picked entrepreneur and community leader, Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
Nnaji’s choice of Ugwu, according to a statement by his media team, is aimed at injecting fresh leadership into the state’s political landscape, with emphasis on private-sector experience, enterprise and job creation.
The development comes as political activities intensify in Enugu ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Nnaji, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is now the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 contest, according to current election list by INEC.
Ugwu, born in 1977, hails from Umuezediko kindred in Nguru, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.
He attended Community Primary School, Nguru, and St Teresa’s College, Nsukka, before obtaining a degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
After his National Youth Service, Ugwu ventured into the logistics industry and founded Windemol Maritime and Logistics Limited, a freight-forwarding company, which created employment opportunities and helped young people acquire professional skills.
He subsequently established Sokabell Nigeria Limited, a contracting and consultancy firm, and Magik Stars Hospitality Nigeria Limited, with interests in tourism and hospitality.
Explaining the choice, Nnaji said Ugwu’s experience in business and enterprise would be valuable in addressing unemployment and expanding economic opportunities in Enugu.
“We want fresh faces to emerge in the leadership configuration of Enugu State,” Nnaji said.
He added that Ugwu’s journey from Nsukka to Lagos’ competitive business environment demonstrated what he described as “courage, discipline and the capacity to identify opportunities, manage people and build sustainable enterprises.”
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According to Nnaji, these qualities are needed to stimulate businesses, create jobs and expand opportunities for young people in the state.
“He did not wait for government to give him a livelihood—he built businesses, created jobs and opened doors for others,” he said.
The PDP candidate also said the ticket was designed to combine political leadership with private-sector experience and strengthen cooperation between Enugu East and Enugu North.
Although Ugwu is relatively new to partisan politics, Nnaji said his record in business, community leadership and philanthropy demonstrates experience in responsibility and service.
The statement said Ugwu also co-founded the Felistas Foundation with his siblings in memory of their late mother. The foundation has reportedly supported pupils through donations of educational materials and provided scholarships and financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In recognition of his community-development efforts, the traditional ruler of Nguru Town, Igwe Linus Nosike Obayi, conferred on him the chieftaincy title, Eweluchi Bube Uzo I of Nguru Nsukka.
Nnaji described the ticket as a departure from what he called the recycling of established political figures, arguing that it would bring together “experience with fresh energy” and “political leadership with a proven understanding of the real economy.”
The 2027 contest will see Nnaji attempt to return to the Enugu governorship race on a different party platform after he contested the 2023 election as the APC candidate. The 2023 election was won by the PDP’s Peter Mbah, who defeated Labour Party candidate Chijioke Edeoga and Nnaji.
