Ex-minister John Nwodo rejects APC campaign council appointment

Former Minister of Information and immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo Jnr., has rejected his appointment as a member of the Advisory Council to Governor Peter Mbah’s Gubernatorial Campaign Council in Enugu State.

Nwodo announced his decision in a letter dated October 28, 2026, addressed to Governor Mbah, following a media publication listing him as one of the members of the campaign council.

In the letter, the former minister appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in him but said he would not accept the appointment because of his commitment to political neutrality.

He explained that his position as the immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo required him to remain nonpartisan and serve as a father figure to all, rather than get involved in local partisan politics.

Nwodo stated, “As President-General of Ohanaeze, I swore whilst I was in that office to be nonpartisan. I believe, out of that office, I should remain a father and in that respect be completely nonpartisan in our local politics in Igboland.”

He further disclosed that he currently does not belong to any political party and intends to maintain that position for the rest of his life.

“I presently have no membership card of any political party and I intend to keep it so until I die. This, I believe, will enable me to intervene as a father in any intra-party disputes amongst Igbos in politics,” he said.

Nwodo stressed that his decision was not directed at Mbah personally, adding that it would not affect their relationship or his willingness to offer counsel to the governor.

“This decision has nothing to do with you particularly. I however open my doors to all politicians in the State to enable me to continue to counsel them on love and unity amongst all of you,” he stated.

He also asked the governor to instruct his staff to remove his name from all campaign-related publications.

“Please kindly instruct your staff to delete my name from all party notices, including my name as a member of your Campaign Council,” the letter partly read.

The former Ohanaeze leader, however, reaffirmed his personal relationship with Mbah, describing him as a friend and assuring him of his continued patriotic counsel.

He added, “This decision will in no way affect my personal relationship with you as a friend or my genuine and patriotic counsel to you as my governor.”