Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, a former senator in Enugu State and founder of God’s Sabbath Mission, Saturday declared that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State is the only candidate that is widely accepted by the people of the State.
Onuaguluchi stated this at Oji River Local Government Area during a thank you tour by Barr Peter Mbah and his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai, who is also a lawyer.
Expressing delight at the presence of Mbah in the local government, the elder statesman said the choice of Mbah as the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer didn’t come by accident but by a careful search for someone who could uplift the state and bring more development.
Revealing his long standing relationship with the governorship candidate, Onuaguluchi said he knew Mbah right from the time he served the State as Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance in the state, adding that Mbah stood out in public service.
“Peter Mbah is a good man. As Commissioner for Finance and Chief of Staff during Senator Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration, he stood out. I know Mbah and he is respectful.
“He didn’t jump from the air. He did a wide consultation and reached out to the people of the state. He is the only choice we have in 2023 and we can stake anything for him. Oji River stands firm for him. Oji River stands firm for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Oji River stands for Ebeano.
“Gburugburu is my friend and both of us had an agreement about the choice of Mbah’s candidacy. Ugwuanyi has the vision of God and God has been directing his paths. When he told us where to go, we followed him because we believe in him,” the revered senior lawyer added.
Meanwhile, in his thank you address to the large turnout of party supporters at the Oji River council headquarters, Mbah informed the people he had come with his team to show appreciation and thank the people for their prudent choice during the party’s primary election in the State.
“We are here to tell you that we understand and appreciate the real meaning of gratitude. You gave us your unflinching support on the 25th day of May, 2022 during the PDP governorship primary election. So, we came to recognize the role you played in that victory, and we will not take it for granted,” Mbah told the local government party stakeholders.
Assuring them of the implication of the decision they made during the election, Mbah re-echoed his resolve to reinvigorate the economy and take the state to another level of prosperity.
“We are here to tell you that in the last 23 years, Enugu State has been a lucky state because it has PDP at the helms of affairs. There has been appreciable presence of infrastructure enabled by the governor and we intend to sustain that legacy.
“The governor has worked very well in the state, and he has been paying salaries and allowances to workers. There’s peace and security in the state and Enugu is safe.
“We are aware that our economy is in bad shape, and revenues are dwindling. So your decision in May was critical in our quest to revitalize the economy of our state. At a time like this, we need someone who can turn things around by changing the narrative, and in May you elected me to do the job.
“With your support, we are going to insulate the economy and move it away from the vagaries of national economy. How do we do this? We have clear and urgent policies that will create employment for the youth and tackle the root cause of insecurity.
“All our sectors will be integrated and we are going to move the economy higher. We want to tell you that our programme for Enugu State will impact positively on Oji River. We are coming to the public sector with our private sector experiences to transform the State,” Mbah assured, promising to unveil his manifesto and long term plan for the State during the campaign period.
In his welcome address earlier, the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba extended his gratitude to the Governor for the choice of Mbah and his running mate, stressing the outstanding qualities possessed by them.
He noted that Mbah is known across the world as a leading player in the oil and gas sector and would be replicating his ingenuity in the state if elected.
Onyeagba, speaking before the people, urged them to join the moving train as the choice of Mbah will make a difference in the State.
On his part, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, who is from the council area expressed his appreciation to the Governor for his support in the State. Stressing the role the governor played in the emergence of Mbah as the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Nzekwe said the governor gave the people the freedom to make a choice and they queued behind Mbah for the job.
Also expressing his resolve to mobilize massive votes for Mbah and other candidates of the party, the CEO of Anbeez construction company, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu pledged to go the extra mile for him to win with landslide margin.
Onwuegbu, who is also the PDP’s candidate for Agwu/Aninri and Udi Federal Constituency, further re-emphasized that Mbah’s background is enough reason to woo voters for him.
Also addressing the party faithful, the PDP candidate for Enugu West senatorial district in next year’s general elections, Engr. Osita Ngwu informed the jubilant crowds of their thank you journey to Governor ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Government House Enugu the previous day for his choice of Mbah and other candidates of the party.
“We were in Government House yesterday to thank His Excellency for giving us Barr. Peter Mbah and his running mate, and other candidates. My message to you (Mbah) is that of assurance. Be assured that Enugu State is secure for you. You have our support and votes,” he added.
