A former minister of Information, Chief John Nwodo, has rejected his appointment as a member of the Advisory Council to the Chairman of Governor Peter Mbah’s Gubernatorial Campaign Council.
Nwodo announced his decision in a letter dated October 28, 2026, and addressed to Governor Mbah, which was seen on Wednesday.
He explained that he discovered his name had been included in a media advertisement listing members of the campaign council shortly after returning from a trip to the United States, where he had visited his children.
While appreciating the governor for the confidence reposed in him, the former minister said he would not accept the appointment.
“Whilst I thank you for your respect and confidence in me, I most respectfully decline to hold such an office,” he stated.
Nwodo, who is also a former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, explained that his decision was informed by his commitment to political neutrality, which he maintained he had pledged to uphold while leading the Igbo sociopolitical organisation.
He said he believed he should continue to serve as a father to all and remain completely nonpartisan in the political affairs of Igboland, even after leaving office.
The former minister stressed that his decision was not directed at Governor Mbah, disclosing that he currently holds no membership card of any political party and intends to remain politically unaffiliated for the rest of his life.
According to him, remaining nonpartisan would enable him to intervene in disputes involving politicians from different political parties in the South-East.
He also assured politicians across Enugu State that his doors remained open to them for counsel on promoting love and unity.
Nwodo subsequently asked the governor to direct his staff to remove his name from all party publications and campaign council notices.
He, however, clarified that rejecting the appointment would not affect his personal relationship with Mbah or his willingness to offer the governor patriotic advice.
“This decision will in no way affect my personal relationship with you as a friend, my genuine and patriotic counsel to you as my governor,” he added.
Nwodo’s rejection is the latest controversy surrounding the composition of campaign councils in Enugu State, following objections from religious leaders whose names were included in the APC campaign structure without their consent.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu had earlier criticised the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration over the alleged unauthorised inclusion of its Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Obodo, in the Enugu State Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obodo, who is also the Apostolic Administrator of the Abakaliki Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu State, was listed as the Director of the party’s Faith-Based (Christians) Directorate.
The campaign council’s list also featured other Catholic priests and the Anglican Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu Joseph Egbuonu.
In a statement signed by its Chancellor and Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, the Catholic Diocese described the inclusion as “unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable”.
The church maintained that Bishop Obodo was listed “without his knowledge or consent”, describing the development as a “malicious act of misrepresentation and defamation”.
It further stressed that the Catholic Church does not participate in partisan politics, political campaigns or the endorsement of political parties, insisting that it remains politically neutral and committed to its spiritual responsibilities.
The diocese demanded the immediate removal of Obodo’s name and those of other Catholic priests listed without their consent. It also warned that any further unauthorised use of the bishop’s name, title or office would attract legal action.
