By Tony Adibe
Key stakeholders and the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone in Enugu State have formally adopted Dr. Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)as their preferred governorship candidate for the March 11, 2023, general elections, thereby dumping and foreclosing the ambitions of the candidates of the other major and minor political parties in the state.
At a rally tagged: “Enugu East Senatorial District Endorsement Rally for Dr. Peter Ndubuishi Mbah: Our Choice for Gubernatorial Election,” which attracted thousands of dignitaries and supporters across various political parties held in Enugu, spokespersons of the various professional bodies and civil society groups pledged to work for the victory of Dr. Mbah at the polls, adding that they had already taken ownership of the project.
Commending Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for honouring his words not only by adhering to the established zoning principle in the state, but also for the choice of Dr. Mbah whom they extolled as the most outstanding, competent and dependable candidate among the candidates, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the rally and Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, said the zone will always show gratitude for the uncommon gesture.
Ubosi, who noted that the mammoth crowd gathered at the popular Michael Okpara Square for one reason, stated that the agenda was to inform the governor and the people of the state that the only gubernatorial candidate they recognize and would support is Dr. Mbah. The Speaker recalled that Mbah had been enjoying massive endorsements, acceptance and support from different sections of the state, including traditional rulers and elder statesmen, which lent credence to the rally.
The chairmen of the six local government areas in the zone, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Hon. Uchenna Ejim, Hon. Livinus Anike, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, Hon. Emeka Onueze and Barr. Chimezie Nkwor said they attended the rally to reassure Dr. Mbah and the state of their support, stressing that they would deliver their local governments for the candidate.
The former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, while expressing joy over the overwhelming support the PDP gubernatorial standard bearer is enjoying among the masses, maintained that feelers from the political atmosphere pointed that Mbah would win with landslide votes in the election.
Senator Nwobodo further appreciated the governor for his foresight and selfless commitment to the development of the state, urging him to disregard the few disgruntled elements hurling abuse and casting aspersions on him because of his goodwill.
Describing Dr. Mbah as “young, vibrant and intelligent,” the elder statesman advised the people to avail themselves the opportunity provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and collect their permanent voter’s card to vote for the PDP.
In their separate speeches, representatives of the traders’ association, academics, traditional rulers of Enugu East Senatorial zone, religious bodies, the National Assembly, and the women’s wing, Mr. Steve Aniagu, Professor Christian Ngwu, Igwe Abel Nwobodo, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh, Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo, and Mrs. Rita Mbah, respectively, disclosed that they had already resolved to give the ruling party’s candidate their unflinching and overwhelming support at the polls.
While enumerating the various empowerment programmes Governor Ugwuanyi created to assist traders in the state, Aniagu explained that traders in the state had bought into the project, pledging that they would keep spreading Mbah’s outstanding message of hope among their members.
Prof. Ngwu, who commended the governor for being a man of integrity whose words are bankable, declared that the academic community had unanimously adopted Dr. Mbah’s candidacy and keyed into the laudable governorship project. For Rev. Edeh, who is also the State Chairman of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) he promised that their teeming members will queue behind the PDP gubernatorial frontrunner on the day of election because of his sound agenda for the state.
Speaking on behalf of the federal lawmakers, Hon. Chukwuegbo appreciated the governor for keeping to his promise while enjoining him to keep his support coming until Mbah is declared the next governor by the electoral umpire. The chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, expressed happiness at the massive endorsement, stressing that the governor had made the party’s work easier due to the outstanding candidate the party presented.
He equally enjoined the people not to relent or rest on their oars but to work towards the collection of their permanent voter’s cards, PVCs, which will enable them to vote for the governorship hopeful. In his remark, the governor said he was guided by the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice during the party primary election, saying the May 25 primary election was adjudged by the people as free, fair, and transparent.
The governor who described Dr. Mbah as a phenomenal young man with a knack for excellent performance, lauded his capacity and uncommon track records in the private sector where one of his companies, Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd, is the market leader in the downstream petroleum sector of the country’s economy.
Expressing confidence that the huge crowd and other support Dr. Mbah is enjoying will continue to grow across the state, the governor commended the governorship aspirants who closed ranks with the party to work for the success of the candidate at the polls, stressing that the gesture was evidence of the transparent and democratic nature of the election.
