The governorship project of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received a major boost at the weekend with the endorsement of its candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, by Ndi Oganiru Enugu, the main political structure of Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The group said its action was in line with the directive of the embattled former Deputy President of the Senate as well as the statement personally issued by Ekweremadu in June congratulating and pledging total support for Dr. Mbah.
Addressing the event attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Enugu PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah; the deputy governorship candidate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, among other critical party leaders of Enugu PDP, the National President of Oganiru Enugu, Engr. Jude Asogwa, assured that the group would also work for the success of all PDP candidates in the state in the 2003 general election.
He said: “Ndi Oganiru Enugu, as the name implies, is purely for the progress of Ndi Enugu. We have strong presence in the 260 wards of Enugu State, 36 States of the federation and 16 countries of the world.
“It was easy for us to flow with our patron, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, because he envisioned a clear pathway to a new Enugu State. Besides, even as a Senator, he did many infrastructural development projects across the three senatorial zones of the state. He built human capital through the award of scholarships and bursary awards across the state. He empowered people with employments and political appointments across the state.
“The primary election has come and gone. Things did not go Senator Ekweremadu’s way. But being a party man, who is never desperate about life, after consultations with his political associates and the leaderships of his support groups, he personally issued a statement in June congratulating.
“He explained an understanding reached with Dr. Mbah that his programmes and vision would be assimilated into Dr. Mbah’s manifesto. Ikeoha assured that his political structures would be merged with that of Dr. Peter Mbah to ensure that he is delivered as the next governor of Enugu State. Even now in his present travail in London, Senator Ekweremadu, remains true to that commitment.
“This is the understanding, commitment, and directive we are here to reaffirm and fulfil today. Therefore, we hereby commit ourselves to the Dr. Peter Mbah governorship ticket as well as all PDP tickets in the state. We will activate all our structures to do the needful.
“Ndi Oganiru Enugu State hereby assures you all of our support as Senator Ike Ekweremadu pledged and directed. And anybody that believes in him and is truly loyal to him should please honour Ikeoha by keying into this project”
Reacting, Dr. Mbah said the huge reception and endorsement were a demonstration of honesty and great character on the part of Ekweremadu and his team.
“This event is symbolic and indeed a great day. What we are witnessing here today is a demonstration of honesty and great character. Here is a man who has lived up to his promise even when it was not made public. Senator Ike Ekweremadu and I share a common passion; a common dream for Enugu State, and we had discussions during the primaries—that our programmes are for the interest of Enugu people, and that whoever emerged would have the support of the other.”
He expressed sympathy with Ekweremadu’s supporters of his UK travails, stressing that he was confident he would be released in no distant time.
Mbah lauded the PDP and government of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the good governance it has brought in the state, adding that Enugu State of today remained adjudged the safest and most secure state to
On his part, Governor Ugwuanyi, who commended the group for their loyalty to Ekweremadu by coming out in such large numbers even in the lawmaker’s absence to carry out his instruction, assured that nobody would be denied his due in the party.
The highpoint of the event included fervent prayers, as requested by Ugwuanyi, for the welfare and release of the embattled Senator.