By Tony Adibe
A non-indigene association in Enugu State, comprising indigenes from Abia, Anambra, Imo, Delta and Ebonyi States (AAIDE), has expressed gratitude to the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for the election of one of their members, Hon Ernest Onuoha, as the new Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu North Local Government Area of the State.
In a press statement jointly signed by the AAIDE National Leader, Chief Igwe Eke, National Coordinator, Hon Chidi Udo, BOT Secretary, Dr. Eric Nwogwugwu, and the Public Relations Officer, Chief Aduaka Anthony, and addressed to the governor on Thursday, AAIDE commended Governor Mbah for giving them a sense of belonging and inclusion in the state.w
“Your Excellency, for giving us this sense of belonging, we are so deeply indebted to you and we can assure you that the emergence of this candidate will not be regretted,” the statement tersely stated.
The association further reassured of its commitment to work and support the administration to achieve its laudable promises for the residents of the state, adding that the governor has restored their lost confidence by carrying non-indigenes along both in his government and in the state affairs in general.
“Through Onuoha, we are poised to rewrite the political narratives in Enugu North Local Government Area. We have every confidence in his delivery capacity, drive and determination to pilot the affairs of the party,” the statement stressed.
The group also extolled the governor for running a transparent, accountable and efficient system of governance, pointing out that the interactive session the governor held in February gave them the opportunity to engage and make their inputs in the system.
In his remarks on Thursday in Enugu, the Chairman, who expressed excitement for the development, said the governor had shown that the cosmopolitan nature of Enugu State can work effectively by running a government of unity in diversity and inclusion.
Mr Onuaha, a successful entrepreneur, who showered encomia on the governor, promised to rally the business community, professional bodies and other interest groups to see Enugu as a state fertile for investment opportunities.
While noting that the state under the Governor Mbah Administration has made tremendous contributions and recorded successes in the areas of infrastructure, security, investment-drive, agro-allied development and education, the newly elected chairman pledged to support every initiative that would further transform the state to an industrial hub.
According to him, “Governor Peter Mbah has displayed an uncommon trait of a national leader through his leadership trajectory. We have thousands of non-indigenes living in this state and we see ourselves as part and parcel of the system. He made it possible for us to pursue our goals by providing the enabling business environment and peaceful atmosphere.
“In Enugu State under the current administration, you can achieve your dreams through hard-work. You can become anything because Enugu is now a reflection of cosmopolitan city where you set up your businesses, participate in the electoral process, and live in peace with your neighbours.
“I want to assure the governor and our great party that we will continue to mobilize our people across the board to give this government maximum support and cooperation,” he added.
Onuoha, who also called on other state governors and leaders in the south east region and Nigeria as a whole to see governor Mbah’s leadership approach as a challenge and wake-up call for them to embrace the spirit of inclusivity, insisted there’s strength in diversity if well managed.
“Governor Mbah has shown the way. This pathway charted by the governor will birth a new Nigeria that will erase discrimination, sectarian strife and foster merit, competence and gender transcendental innovation,” he concluded.
