By Prince Ejeh Josh
…as communities roll out drums to celebrate Mbah, say opposition parties insignificant
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, leaders and stakeholders of Akpugo and Agbani communities have pledged to vote for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, saying they had benefited tremendously from the giant leadership strides of the political party in the state.
The people who came out in large numbers to welcome the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Peter Mbah, and his entourage at the town-hall meetings he held in Agbani and Akpugo towns, both headquarters of Nkanu West Development Centre and Akpugo Development Centre, told the party not to lose sleep over the noise of some insignificant political parties in the area as they were on ground to deliver landslide votes for the candidates of the PDP, both in the February and March 2023 elections.
The town-hall meetings which attracted major stakeholders, dignitaries, cross sections of the business community, various traders associations, civil society bodies, youth groups, women wings, members of different political parties, among others, said they would not abandon a political party that gave them the massive infrastructure they’re presently enjoying.
The communities who rolled out drums to celebrate Dr. Mbah and the party, maintained that the PDP had brought succour to them and their children in times of needs, especially in the areas of empowerment, education, wealth creation, and human capital development.
Speaking at the meetings, the local government chairman of the area, Hon. Uchenna Ejim, member representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, the lawmaker representing the Nkanu West/Nkanu East Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, took turn to enumerate the laudable projects they attracted to the people within a short period of time, stressing that they could not afford not to vote for the party.
Hon. Aniagu, who stated that the PDP has done well and proven its leadership mettle through its massive infrastructure and empowerment programmes, added that the projects enumerated by the PDP leadership were enough conviction to win the heart of every electorate in the area.
Describing Dr. Mbah as a man with uncommon vision to transform the state through socio-economic revolution, Hon. Ejim promised that his people will demonstrate their love for him through their votes at the polls. Noting that his administration had graded a number of feeder roads, installed security cameras, empowered students through some robust education policies and incentives, the chairman pledged to key into Dr. Mbah’s excellent programmes for the state.
Stakeholders such as Hon. Onyeka Onwe, Hon. Chika Ani, Dr. Chika Igwesi, Hon. Henry Okenwa, Chief John Nweke, Hon. Jude Edeagu, and Mrs. Lydia Ani, who spoke for different sections of the communities in Agbani and Amuri reiterated their unalloyed commitment to the PDP gubernatorial project even as they said they’d been canvassing for votes across the political wards in the area for the party.
They further appealed to the governorship hopeful to address the perennial injustice in some parts of the areas, complete the construction of Amurri-Obeagu-Obe-Ozalla road, Ugbawka-Ugbogodo-Akpugo road, among others, to expand their market base, and empower the youths with relevant skills and jobs.
Also speaking, Barrister Nana Ogbodo, who is the spokesman for the PDP Campaign Organization in the state, commended the governorship flagbearer for his intellectual grits and focus on leadership, saying that he had already secured the mandate of the electorate.
The Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, and Patron, Peter Mbah Support Group, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo extolled Dr. Mbah for the rare privilege he conferred on the people of Akpugo development centre through the strategic appointments he gave to them in his campaign team, adding that the gesture was a confirmation that Akpugo people would be major beneficiaries of his development blueprint.
While describing the manifesto of the PDP gubernatorial candidate as robust, all-encompassing and achievable, the renowned lawyer said his people were ready to partner him on his development plans for the state with the right infrastructure such as industrial park, good roads and enabling environment for investment.
On his part, the former State Secretary of the party and Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Information, Hon. Steve Oruruo, observed that the mammoth crowd at the town-hall meetings cut across party lines to speak with one strong voice on who their choice candidate is in the election.
Oruruo, who said the people of Akpugo came out en masse to receive Dr. Mbah because of his administrative proficiency, leadership competence, and capacity to turn the state into an industrial hub, assured that Akpugo people will not succumb to parochial interest in their choice of candidates.
The special adviser, while describing Dr. Mbah as a consummate character with the right plans to insulate the state from the present economic and security challenges bedeviling the country, appealed to the business mogul to intervene in the Amodu-Ogbosine road, Agbani-Mboogodo-Obinagu-Nkanu East link road and other bridges when he assumes office.
In their remarks, a former deputy chairman of the council area, Chief John Ogbodo, Mrs. Chidi Ogbodo, Engr. Frank Nnaji Chief Moses Aniemeka, Coordinator, Akpugo presidents-general, Chief Gerald Nnaji and others, re-echoed their earlier support for the candidate, saying PDP will sweep all the polling units in the development centre regardless of the insignificant presence of opposition parties in the area.
Recalling the depth of their campaigns in the grassroots, Chief John Ogbodo said they were spurred to embark on the mission because they’re huge beneficiaries of the party. He declared that the comprehensive manifesto and the ideas espoused in it will motivate them to do more for the victory of the party.
Similarly, the Director General of the campaign organization, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, appreciated the overwhelming support and massive mobilisation of the people, saying it showed the votes of the Nkanu West people had already been decided in favour of the gubernatorial frontrunner.
While emphasizing on the importance of the permanent voter’s card (PVCs), the director general enjoined the electorate to collect their PVCs to enable them match their words with action.
According him, only Dr. Mbah, who is a man of capacity, catalyst for change, with the competence to change the face of governance in the state, should be voted for.
Responding to the positive turnout and demands made by the people, Dr. Mbah assured them that his administration will be driven by disruptive innovation where technology that will drive the much anticipated industrialisation will be prioritized.
He said his plans for the youths would see them creating wealth through training in different vocations, especially in 21st century skills.
“We’ll make Enugu State attractive for business and it will be the preferred destination for investment. We are bringing industrial revolution.
“The youths are going to be productively engaged. We are going to establish technical and vocational training centres across the state. This will equip our youths with the knowledge of ICT, and they’ll become wealth creators,” he added.
The ruling party’s governorship candidate further emphasized on his resolve to construct 10,000 kilometers of roads which will include the roads and bridges in the development centres.
He added that the innovation- incubation centres which will be established across the state will enable youths compete globally in ICT, saying women empowerment and inclusion in governance will address imbalance and enthrone socio-economic and political justice.
