It was a gathering of who is who in Nsukka and Igbo-Etiti local government areas of Enugu State on Friday, when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign train to both areas in preparation of the February 23 Enugu State local government elections.
At the well attended event, the party stalwarts commended Ugwuanyi for his good governance in the state. They assured that they will always support the governor as their son and leader of the state.
Speaking at the event in Nsukka, the former chairman of PDP, Enugu State chapter,
Engr. Vita Abba, spoke on the leadership of the PDP in Enugu State and other issues.
“The party is more than government but when government comes into power, it becomes more than the party.
“Governor Ugwuanyi is the leader of the PDP in the South East and in Enugu State. There is no other leader.”
He commended Ugwuanyi for his good works in the state, adding that they will continue to protect the interest of the governor and encourage him to deliver more dividends of democracy in the State.
Abba frowned at the attitude of some party members who were allegedly planning to go against the Party’s “Ifemelunma” arrangement(zoning) warning that Nsukka people would not accept that.
“Our son is the governor. We value our brother and anybody outside this zone who is doing the contrary will be resisted by us. Nsukka means business. Nsukka is grateful to you and will continue to stand by you”, he said.
“Nsukka people are humble and conscious of their actions..Pat Asadu served somebody and he served well, Ikeji Asogwa served somebody and he served well. Vita Abba served somebody and he served well .
“We are sending warning to those who were stepping on your (Gov. Ugwuanyi’s) toes.
Nsukka would not take it. Our son is a governor and we were having a Professor of ingratitude ..We are telling you today, Your Excellency, that whatever wrong that is done to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is done to Nsukka people. You are our son. We are proud of you. Nsukka is together,’ he said
Abba thanked the PDP chairman of Nsukka local government, Rt. Hon. Fabian Onyishi ,for the manner and way he paddles the affairs of the party..
In his speech, the senator representing Enugu North senatorial zone, Chuka Utazi commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the good works he has done and is still doing in the state.He pledged continuous support for the PDP.
“Nsukka people are solidly behind you Anybody thinking that Nsukka is not united is wasting his time”, Utazi said..
The member, representing Nsukka, Igboeze South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu, the Enugu North PDP chairman, Rt. Hon. Nze Mike Onyeze, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government , Hon. Barr. Chigozie Okonkwo, the PDP chairman, Nsukka local government area, Rt. Hon.Fabian Onyeshi Onah
were among the stakeholders that spoke at the event.
They all extolled the good governance of Governor Ugwuanyi, especially in the areas of infrastructure, appointment of Nsukka sons and daughters into his administration and in human capital development. They also promised to vote massively for the PDP in the February 23, local government elections.
In his brief remarks, Ugwuanyi thanked the people for their suppport to his administration. He appealed to them to come out enmasse and vote for the PDP’s chairmanship and Councillorship candidates.
In an interview, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State, on Transport and state chairman, Tricycle Riders Association, Hon. Benjamin Ekah commended Ugwuanyi for his good works in Enugu State.
He said his local government, Nsukka benefitted more in governor Ugwuanyi’s administration, especially in the areas of infrastructure and appointments .
“There is security in Nsukka. People sleep with their eyes closed.The Governor empowered all our youths. There is no youth that is idol in Nsukka. All our youths are employed. They have one thing or the other they do, to make sure they have something.”, Ekah said
Ekah also commended the out-going local government chairman of Nsukka local government area, Hon. Barr.Ibezimakor Ugwueze for his good works in the local
“He is a good man. He is a man of peace. He brought additional development to Nsukka. He constructed and rehabilitated roads, renovated schools among others.
He did well and we are happy with him, “Ekah said.
The Special Assistant expressed happiness with the choice of their chairmanship candidate, saying, Hon. Walter Oziokor is our son, I know he will perform better. I know he will stand on the existing protocol.”
On his part, a party faithful, Kenechukwu Ezea, from Opi expressed happiness with the choice of their Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Dr. Barr. Walter Ozioko.
He said, ” Yes, we have a consensus candidate. The Vice Chairman to the out- going chairman is the best candidate. Barrister Dr. Walter Ozioko is the best candidate for the Chairmanship position in Nsukka.
“We are happy about it because he has a good heart. He accommodated everybody before now. He was established before now. He has many companies around him and he has been doing good, giving the less privileged, listening ears. We thank His Excellency for giving us a right candidate”, Ezea said.
On his assessment of the performance of the out-going chairman, Barrister Cosmas Ugwueze, Ezea said, “The out-going chairman did well. He worked with his heart. He accommodated everybody around him. He welcomed everyone around him. He is doing well. He has no bounds to all the people of Nsukka and he promised to keep doing well in Nsukka”, he said.
Present at the rally were the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu, the member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Simon Atigwe, their Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani counterpart, Rt. Hon. Dr. Martins Oke, the former State Chairman of the PDP and Leader, Enugu North Senatorial District, Chief Engr. Vita Abba, members of the state parliament and State Executive Council (EXCO) from the zone, the Chairman, Peace Mass Transit, Chief Sam Maduka Onyishi, an entrepreneur, Chief Williams Agbo, among others.
In Igbo- Etiti local government , party stalwarts commended Gov.Ugwuanyi for the infrastructural development he brought to their area. They thanked him especially for attracting a Federal Polytechnic in Ohoda,Igbo-Etiti, for appointing their sons and daughters into exalted positions and for maintaining peace in the state.They pledged their support and loyalty to Governor Ugwianyi, and promised to vote massively for the PDP in the local government polls.
Specifically, former Governor of Enugu state , Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo in his speech, said that the PDP leadership in Enugu State had zoned the governorship position of the state to Enugu East Senatorial District in 2023.
He disclosed that he was in the party meeting alongside other leaders, such as the then Governor, Sullivan Chime, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the then State Chairman the PDP, Chief Abba, where the decision was taken.
Nwodo said that it was Chief Dubem Onyia who moved the motion at the meeting, which was seconded by Senator Ben Collins Ndu, with an amendment by Dr. Charles Egumgbe that the governorship position should go to Enugu East Senatorial District in 2023 after the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District, which is presently occupied by Gov. Ugwuanyi.
He described the process through which contestants emerged as a “unanimous and a democratic consensus”.
Others who spoke at the event were the Secretary to the State Government ,Professor Simon Ortuanya, the chairman of Igbo -Etiti local government, Hon. Barrr. Nkechi Ugwu, the State Executive members of the PDP , Senator Utazi (Enugu North Senatorial District), Rt. Hon. Oke (Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency), former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, the two House of Assembly members from Igbo-Etiti LGA, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani and Rt. Hon. James Akadu, Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh,
among others.
Speaking, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the people for their unceasing prayers and support for him and his administration.
He urged them to vote massively for the PDP in the forthcoming local government polls
Highlights of the event was the presentation of flags to the Councillorship candidates the two LGAs by the Enugu State Chairman of the PDP, .Hon. Augustine Nnamani.
