From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
Ahead of the March 11,2023 governorship election in Enugu state, a lot of factors are seemingly positioning Dr Peter Mbah, the state PDP governorship candidate as the person to beat in the election.
This stems from the fact that internal crisis still rocking some of the opposition parties are far fetched from PDP. Instead, some political chieftains from some other parties saw reason to close ranks with the oil magnate and joined his campaign train.
The likes of Engr Jeff Nnamani who had aspired for Enugu state APGA governoship ticket wont by Mr Frank Nweke (jnr), a fortnight ago collapsed his structure and followership in support of Dr Peter Mbah,stating he is the best material for the next governor of the state. Engr. Jeff Nnamani with crowd of his supporters while they received Dr Mbah(see pix) assured of their maximum support for him to be elected as next civilian governor of the state in 2023. Engr. Jeff Nnamani said they have returned back to PDP, where they originally belongs.
Checks revealed that the break away and return of Engr Jeff Nnamani supporters to PDP has diminished the numerical strenght of APGA supportters and members in Enugu state and poses a great challenge to the ambition of Mr Frank Nweke jnr to emerge as next governor of Enugu state.
However,the APGA Candidate,Mr Frank Nweke jnr, may consider the option of going into alliance with another political party,at the long. He gave a nod to this view while answering questions from newsmen,after attending a business summit organised by Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industries, Mines and Agriculture(ECCIMA).
Nweke stressed that the basic principle of governance is adequate welfare and provision of social welfare for the masses,stating it wont be out of place if APGA goes into alliance with another party with similar manifesto,aj the long run.’But until we get to the bridge, we shall know how to cross the river’.
In another development, Dr Peter Mbah campaign organisation is further strenghtened by some Enugu APC chieftains, who decided to quit aftermath of prolonged and yet to be resolved crisis rocking the party. Notedly, the once factional chairman of Enugu state APC, Deacon Okey Ogbodo is now the Vice Director General(EAST) of Dr Peter Mbah campaign organisationg.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo and his followers are now adding strenght to the followership the PDP and Dr Peter Mbah are enjoying in Enugu East senatorial district of the state.
The same goes for Group Capt Orji(rtd), he fell off with Enugu APC,after loosing the state chairmanship of Enugu APC to Barr. Ugo Agballah. Orji is now a member of Dr Peter Mbah campaign team.
Checks revealed that crisis within Enugu APC has taken a new direction. Many stakeholders of the party including Chief Ken Nnamani, Chief Osita Okechukwu(VON DG), Ex Governor Sullivan Chime, Chief GNG Gbazueagu, immediate past state chairman of the party, Dr Ben Nwoye etc are at cross road with present executive of the party,led by Barr Ugo Agballah.
Ugo Agballah in his vision of a new APC in Enugu state alleged that most of the party chieftains traded away the fortunes of APC in Enugu state.
The great expectation of a strong opposition to PDP in Enugu state is still a mirage. The party members are still in the dark of the authentic governorship flag bearer betweem Chijioke Edeoga and Chief Evarisus Nnaji. t
The lacuna has negatively affected the operations of labour party in Enugu state.
Meanwhile, Dr Peter Mbah, the PDP governorship candidate has proved that he is not a political neophyte, as his vigorous campaigns and town hall meetings across the state are without any inclination or guidance by any of the acclaimed PDP political godfathers. Senator Chimaroke Nnamani is busy digging out his own senatorial campaign return ticket across Enugu East senatorial district, just as Governor Ugwuanyi is engaged in Enugu North senatorial district, in addition to state duties. There is no established missing link among them except the fact that Dr Peter Mbah based on his exposure and experience does it right, on the basis of which utmost peace and unity with high sense of collective responsibility reigns in Enugu PDP, unlike the major opposition parthjes
