A legal practitioner and Oil magnate, Peter Mbah from Owo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State, has clinched the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election to contest the governorship seat in the 2023 general election.
Chairman of the Electoral Panel from the PDP National Working Committee, Abuja, Senator Ambuno Zik Sunday, announced that the number of accredited delegates were 812 and the total votes cast was 807.
He said that Mbah pulled 790 votes, out of the 807 votes cast. While valid votes were 804, invalid votes were 3.
According to Ambuno, Mbah was followed by Chijioke Edeoga 9 votes, Chinyeaka Ohaa 3 votes, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu 1 vote and Chukwunta Gilbert 1 vote, other aspirants have no vote.
Accreditation of delegates from the Seventeen local government areas of the Enugu State by the Electoral Officer, started by 11: 26pm at the Michael Okpara Square while voting commenced at 2:56pm at the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium.
The exercise which was observed by INEC officials , independent observers and the media, witnessed heavy security presence, including the Commissioner of police Enugu state command, Mamman, the DSS, and the Civil Defence.
In his acceptance speech, the winner of the contest, Peter Mbah, attributed his success to governor Ugwuanyi’s support saying,” the success of what we witnessed today was the handwork of governor Ugwuanyi.”
Mbah, an industrialist and former Commissioner for Finance in Enugu State, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for enhancing the democratic process of his emergence. He assured the governor that posterity will reserve a noble seat for him (Ugwuanyi) when the history of this state is written.
He promised to build on the achievements of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration and serve the people of Enugu State with humility.
“We are going to serve you with humility and moderation, openness and inclusiveness, and simplicity and forthrightness”.
He thanked his co-aspirants especially the eight aspirants who stepped down for him for their understanding, cooperation and sacrifices.
Mbah also thanked the former governor of old Anambra state, Senator Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, for the fatherly role he played during consultations and promised to build on the achievements of the present administration,saying, “We are going to work together with your support.
“What we have here represent more of a celebration than a competition.
Mbah thanked the delegates, party members for their overwhelming support and solidarity. He commended the members of the PDP Governorship Electoral Panel of the party’s National Working Committee as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, for their contributions to the peaceful and transparent conduct of the exercise.
Out of the 17 aspirants, eight stepped down for Mbah. The Aspirants were Dr. Chukwudi Nnaji, Dr Kingsley Udeh, Engr. Erasmus Anike, ,Barrister Nwabueze Ugwu, Rev. Ralph Nwoye, Prof Jehu Nnaji, Dr. Gab Ajah and Baloved Dan Anike..
Some aspirants did not participate in the exercise. They are Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, former Minister of Power, Engr. Barth Nnaji and Senator Gil Nnaji.
Earlier in his opening speech, the Chairman of the Electoral panel, said that the exercise should be seen as a family affair. He thanked the security, media and observers for their support.
Some PDP chieftains that witnessed the election were Governor Ugwuanyi, Former governor of old Anambra state, Chief Jim Nwobodo and his wife, former governor of Enugu State and senator representing Enugu East senatorial zone, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, the Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Hon. (Mrs) Cecilia Ezeilo, Speaker of the Enugu state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, former state chairman of PDP, Engr. Vita Abba amongst others
