By Reuben Onyishi
(Ugoachataberu)
In the build up to the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, political propaganda, accusations, recriminations, brickbats, sophistic manouvres, underhand dealings, horse-trading, realignments and all manner of expletives were shot at one another in the bid to outdo the other by the contestants and their supporters. Media war was all the rage on mainstream and social media platforms. No doubt many were psychologically wounded. But the understanding that politics is a game will help bind the wounds and stop the haemorrhage. Politics is a game of many parts, a chess of sorts that requires financial war chest, much thinking, planning and the finesse to push through one’s interests and advantages. Propaganda is also a major barrel through which the fusillades flow and they who would play the game must hold this understanding in their palms and so take it with calmness and good presence of mind.
Once the game is over as it is with the gubernatorial primaries, the outcome should be accepted in good faith. The sense of sportsmanship has got to be engaged for progress and that also requires the extension of the hands of fellowship and congratulations to the winner. That is expected of a mature player of the game. Thank goodness the contestants have all done the needful and the winner too has shown magnanimity in victory.
That Dr. Peter Mbah has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state is something for which he deserves congratulating. It was no mean feat given the pedigree of his fellow contestants all of whom have intimidating profiles and the requisite qualifications and experiences to capably man the state. Allowing the wounds to heal will help the party galvanize its people for victory at the general polls. Dr. Mbah has been reaching out to the contestants and has asked that they be part of the victory. It is quite commendable of Mbah who in spite of his towering profile and victory, handles them with the olive and much humility. The time to reunite, like the Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu did say while withdrawing from the race and congratulating our party governorship flag bearer, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has come. It is not a time to leave the party; it is a time to smolder emotions and do away with pains of loss and malice; it is a time for all to rally our own and sustain the victory of our dear party, the PDP, in Enugu State.
We are sons; we are not servants. Servants run away and return to their places in the face of dire circumstances and challenges. Sons stay put, for they have no other place to run to. We are PDP and we shall never fail. The party has laboured for victory and so has earned it time and again. They who intend to begin to ‘Labour’ and ‘Party’ in the wrong direction are bound to fail. PDP is the right place, for any tree aspiring to grow taller than the iroko is looking for the trouble of the sky.
Our candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, is a good man. He has what it takes to consolidate the deliverables and take the state to the unexplored heights. He has this passion for economic and social development of the state and has the knowledge of how to translate this dream into reality. Mbah is coming with wealth of experiences and positive exploits in the private and public sectors. He is a major player in the oil and gas downstream sector of Nigerian economy and comes with a cutting- edge innovation and exquisite delivery via Pinnacle Oil Limited whose market share in the industry far outweighs those of the other players. Mbah had been the chief of staff to the governor of Enugu State as well as commissioner for finance. He is well-trained ( He holds LLM in marine law and other degrees obtained from best universities in the world) and prepared for leadership and we can do worse than support him to achieve his dream of a new 21st Century Enugu State as we shall soon see in his agenda that will be unveiled in no time.
It is all about Enugu State, its progress and the welfare of its citizenry. That should form the interest of everyone. While we appreciate zoning and the advantages of inclusivity, equity and justice it embodies, it should also be noted that zoning prevailed, though one had wanted it to percolate into the inner recesses of the zonal structure. Nonetheless, the people have spoken and we are glad Dr. Peter Mbah is adequately fit for the purpose. He who fetches either water or firewood fetches for Olojo. Let the wounds heal and let the people reunite and support the election of Dr. Peter Mbah as the next governor of Enugu State.
