Prince Ejeh Josh
The apex socio-political organisation in Enugu West senatorial zone, Ifemmeluma Enugu West, has dismissed the presence of opposition political parties, including the Labour Party as insignificant and social media based, stressing that they had settled for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah.
This disclosure was made on Saturday when the body hosted Mbah and his entourage in Enugu, saying they extended the invitation to inform him of their position regarding the forthcoming elections.
Speaking at the meeting, an executive member of the body, Barr. Uchenna Dominic said it was a privilege for them to receive the presence of the PDP guber candidate, disclosing that they were attracted to him because of his unprecedented track records in the private sector where he transformed his business from a one-room studio to a conglomerate presently sitting as the market leader in the petroleum downstream sector.
Uchenna who expressed confidence that Mbah would deploy his decades of experiences to take the state to an enviable level, enthused that the governor hopeful would manage Enugu State to the expectation of the people having competently driven his business to global reckoning.
Noting that they had been spurred to do more to ensure victory for the party, the legal practitioner said there was nothing to be worried about in the zone as opposition parties like Labour Party and others were no threat since they barely had presence in the five local government areas of the zone.
On his part, the convener and chairman of the apex political group, Senator Ben-Collins Ndu said the Ifemmeluma political movement was committed to give PDP maximum electoral victory in 2023.
The senator who said the group was a movement that champions the growth and progress of the zone reiterated their resolve to continue with the journey that they began.
While noting that the primary purpose of the group’s well organised 2021 rally was to stand with the truth, equity, justice and fairness as regards the zoning argument in the state, insisted that the Enugu West senatorial district spoke with one voice despite the threats, promises and emissaries to back down on the project.
The elder statesman who said they were guided by conscience arising from the zoning agreement they all signed in 2013, assured Mbah that the zone would give him bloc votes during the polls.
He said: “We want to give you the largest votes, even more than other zones in the state. We are solidly behind you, and we will do whatever we can to support you”.
Also expressing confidence that Mbah will reinvigorate and reactivate all the sectors in the state into productive force, a former local government chairman of Aninri and member of the apex political organisation, Prince Tony Nwoye said he had no doubt that the governorship frontrunner would emerge victorious in the election.
According to him: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet you, and by God’s grace you will emerge the next governor of our state. With you in Lion Building, you’ll take Enugu state to greater heights”.
Reiterating the above, Engr. Mrs. Umeh Cecilia described Mbah as a pointer that would lead the state to economic growth and prosperity, adding that his robust background in the private sector would serve as an asset to the state.
“We are confident you are going to succeed in the governance of the state due to your successful background. We want you to make Enugu State a destination that will attract investors and restore the glory of the state,” she said.
Other speakers at the event included the former Deputy Chairman of Udi Local Government, Mrs. Uche Eze, Managing Director, Nike Lake Resort, Mrs. Ugochi Madueke, the Secretary of Ifemmeluma Enugu West senatorial zone, Dr. Eric Oluedo, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta, who said Ifemmeluma Enugu West was a symbolic and formidable representation of the people of Enugu West and had spoken through their endorsement.
They further said their decision was based on the conviction they had on the person of the governorship candidate, maintaining that, “When we see Dr. Peter Mbah, we see a new Enugu State of our dreams.”
Responding to the influential political body, Mbah said he essentially honoured the invitation to lay bare his gratitude for all the efforts and sacrifices they made towards his emergence, promising that such gesture will not be taken for granted.
Mbah who described himself as a product of justice, fairness and equity, insisted that his programmes and policies will reflect equity, justice and fairness especially in the allocations of the state resources.
According to him, the implication of the decision taken by the group means that the state will be taken to a higher level.
“The implication of your decision which led to my emergence is that we are taking Enugu State to a higher level. We are going to reinvent ourselves and move the state forward.
“By the grace of God, you identified someone whose experiences in the private and public sectors cannot be questioned. You’re going to have someone who will ensure that the resources of the state are harnessed for the benefits of our people.
“We have the capability, credibility and competence to lead the state out of the existential threat facing our country. We are going to partner Enugu West in this journey. We will continue to have handshakes from the East to the West,” he further added.
Mbah further appealed to the senatorial zone not to rest on their oars as there were more works ahead. He described the forthcoming elections as unique with the introduction of the new electronic voting system through the use of Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS) which required the electorate to be trained on its use.
