By Prince Ejeh Josh
…as mass defection hits APC, PDP described as Enugu’s only hope for good governance
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has received an unprecedented massive endorsement from the various communities, towns and villages from the five local government areas in Enugu West Senatorial Zone who came out in large numbers to reaffirm their position about the forthcoming elections.
The mammoth crowd which took over Awgu town, on Sunday, to express their commitment and readiness to vote en masse for Dr. Mbah and other PDP candidates from the zone, declared that the ruling party had attracted laudable projects, massive infrastructure, and other empowerment packages that had improved the standard of living of their people.
The endorsement rally, tagged, “Enugu West United for Barr. Peter Mbah/Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai 2023” attracted the presence of the members of the business community, professional associations, farmers group, council of traditional rulers, clergymen, youth and women bodies who pledged to rally every eligible voter from the zone for the election of Dr. Mbah and his running mate, Barr Ossai.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Senator Ben-Collins Ndu, disclosed that they had converged on Awgu to reiterate their support and endorsement for Dr. Mbah’s candidacy, saying the zone had already made a choice and would ensure victory is delivered for him.
While recalling that in 2021, the people of Enugu West senatorial district came out through the Ifemelumma summit to demand for equity, justice and fairness through their support for zoning of power to Enugu East Senatorial Zone because of their firm belief that the right thing should be done, the former senator explained that God had used Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to answer their demand.
Explaining that the endorsement rally became necessary because of the progress of the zone and their unflinching commitment to a new Enugu State, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, who is a ranking member of the House of Representatives representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency stressed that the large population of people at the rally showed that they believed in the philosophy of “Tomorrow Is Here” as espoused by the governorship flagbearer in his manifesto.
He expressed confidence that the state under Dr. Mbah’s leadership would transform the state’s economy, reform the agricultural sector and ensure massive infrastructure when elected.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of the council area, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo, Enugu West Zonal Chairman, Hon. Ozo Okey Ozoani, State Secretary of the party, Hon. Cletus Akalusi, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Uche Ugwu, Co-chairman of the rally, Rt. Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and the representative of the youths in the zone, Hon. Chidi Ilogebe, said they’d gathered as a people with common destiny and sense of oneness to speak with one resounding voice to endorse Dr. Mbah and assure him that he was their sole candidate.
They noted that after the endorsement, all the stakeholders would go back to their respective communities and villages to mine votes for the party.
According to the spokespersons, the zone would make PDP proud at the polls with their huge votes, adding that other parties had already been foreclosed in the zone.
On her part, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, lauded the governorship hopeful for his dream for the people, saying that the various stakeholders who spoke at the rally had already revealed the minds of their people.
She moved a motion for the formal endorsement of the gubernatorial flagbearer, saying the zone would leave no stone unturned in rallying voters across the polling units for him.
The motion which received overwhelming acclamation of ovation and eruption of jubilation from the crowd, was seconded by another elder statesman and former Commissioner for Health, Hon. Ike Anike.
Reacting to the support, Dr. Mbah said there was no need for soothsayers to predict the likely outcome of the forthcoming polls, stressing that the presence of leaders, stakeholders, party faithful and the entire electorate foretold victory for the ruling party.
He said the massive endorsement of his candidacy was already sending jitters in the camps of the opposition parties even as he expressed confidence of landslide victory.
“With this massive endorsement, defeat is already staring at the opposition,” he added.
While commending Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for ensuring equity and justice in the primaries, Dr. Mbah assured the zone of his resolve to reward them with the dividends of democracy over their loyalty and uncommon gesture.
“We will reciprocate your support with massive infrastructure, and we are going to be guided by the principle of equity, fairness and justice which was started by the Governor Ugwuanyi’s government,” he said.
The entrepreneur who vowed that he would make the state the preferred destination for investment and tourism, while sustaining peace and security, enjoined the electorate to replicate their support to him and other PDP candidates at the polls by coming out en masse and voting for the party.
Responding to the cheering crowd, Governor Ugwuanyi extended his appreciation to the people for the support and commitment to his administration over the past years.
He called for a solemn prayer for the quick release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who is presently facing trial in the United Kingdom, praying that God would vindicate him.
The governor further recalled that a rally was convened on the 17th of August, 2021 at the same venue where the people reiterated their position upholding zoning, equity and justice.
According to him, 18 months later, they reconvened in their large numbers to endorse the outcome of that decision, and appreciated them for holding unto that sense of justice through their solidarity and endorsement of the gubernatorial standard bearer.
He assured that electing Dr. Mbah as his successor would ensure laudable consolidation of the good governance which his administration had brought to the state while also encouraging them to vote for all the candidates of the PDP in the February 25 and March 11 elections.
…as mass defection hits APC, PDP described as Enugu’s only hope for good governance
In a related development, thousands of All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the zone set their brooms ablaze while embracing the PDP at the endorsement rally.
Led by the former acting Chairman of the APC in the state, Hon. Gilbert Chikwado-Chukwu, the decampees declared their rejection of the APC, calling their action historic and the triumph of light and hope.
Hon. Chikwado-Chukwu who spoke on behalf of others, said they decided to join the ruling party because of the good governance and massive infrastructure the state is enjoying under the party.
While receiving the former APC members to the PDP and handing over umbrella to them, the chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, commended them for taking the right step and assuring that the party would give them all the privileges being enjoyed by members.
“You have foresight for the realization that it’s only the PDP that can continue to transform the state through its excellent policies.
“I want to appreciate you because you recognize that in Enugu, there’s peace and security, massive infrastructure, thriving environment and other dividends of democracy,” he said.
The chairman called on the people to take the message of hope and the tomorrow that is here to their constituents by delivering massive victory to the PDP in their wards during the elections.
