….As Ngwu, Onwuegbu weathers the storm in Enugu West district.
From Maurice Okafor,Encugu.
As the count down to the 2023 general election begins, It is gradually becoming clear that Dr Peter Mbah, the CEO/MD of Pinnacle Oil and Gas ltd,who is the flagbearer of the PDP in the March 11,2023 governorship election will win to take over from Governor Ugwuanyi,as the next occupant of the Lion building.
A new scope and spread of his acceptance came to the furore at Okpara square on Friday,March 27,as 12 other political parties operating under the umbrella of’Coalition of Registered Political Parties’in Enugu state,collapsed their structure,adopted him as the governorship candidate and promised to enjoin forces with PDP,to ensure his success.
The Coalition of Registered political parties in Enugu state made their stand known at the official flag off the state PDP campaigns,witnessed by the G-5 PDP state governors.
The leader of the 12 political parties undeq the aegis of coalition of registered political parties, Hon Afam Ani of the Action Peoples Party(APP)said their decision stems on the proven fact of Governor Ugwuanyi’s style of running an all inclusive government and the giant strides he recorded in socio economic development of the state. They expressed hope that Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah will tow same direction,when he succeeds Ugwuanyi.
Checks revealed that the Coalition of Registered Political Parties in Enugu state declaration for Peter Mbah,the PDP governorship candidate is a clear indication of his consolidation in the tussle for the next occupant of Enugu state government house against the other three major political parties in the race,namely the APC.APGA and the Labour party.
Further checks into the tussle for Enugu state revealed that the PDP governorship candidate Dr Peter Mbah has continued to take the lead with increasing harmonisation of structures and support across the three zones of the state. For instance. the Political stakeholders from Nkanu cultural zone,irrespective of party of affiliation. their Religeous leaders, traditional rules, the academia. traders etc.a week ago endorsed Peter Mbah as the sole choice of Nkanu Land.
Their resolve stems on the fact that the other three major candidates in the race, namely Barr Chijioke Edeoga of Labour party.Chief Uchenna Nnaji of APC and Mr Frank Nweke(jnr)with APGA ticket are all of Nkanu land origin. But they consider Mbah better among the four based on his experience in government businness and success in the private sector.
It could be recalled that political stakeholders from Enugu West senatorial district mainly of PDP,met at Umuabi in Udi local government area and resolved their differences, promising to suppor to mobilise support Dr Peter Mbah and every other PDP candidate gunning for other elective positions in the 2023 general elections.
The PDP candidates from Enugu West senatorial district gunning for elective positions are Engr Osita Ngwu,contesting the senatorial seat of the zone to replace Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is on his 4th tenure as Enugu West senator,Engr(Dr)Anayo Onwuegbu,running for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal constituency, to take after Rt Hon Toby Okechukwu(PDP),who is currently on his third tenure on the seat.
Also Dr Festus Uzor, the chief of staff to Governor Ugwuanyi,who is contesting for Udi/Ezeagu Federal constituency to replace Hon Oguerinwa Amadi, who crossed over to Labour Party to join the contest for the next Enugu West senator,as Senator Ekwerdmadu bows out from the red chambers.
As it stands, the major challenge against PDP candidates in Enugu West senatorial district will come from the Labour Party,based on the fact that the party produced it,s running mate in the person of Dr Nwokeabia,from Achi in Oji River local government area and senatorial candidate,Hon Oguerinwa Amadi from Ezeagu local government area, but Engr.Dr Anayo Onwuegbu is using his goodwill and philantropic gestures built over two decades ago to weather the storm. Most especially in Greater Awgu axis. where the electorates dim him most fit to use his experience in the construction industry to consolidate on infrastructural development of Greater Awgu communities,in addition to the achievements of Hon Toby Okechukwu.
Similar situation obtains for Engr Osita Ngwu and Dr Festus Eze at Udi/Ezeagu federal constiuency axis of Enugu West senatorial district,where Hon Oguerinwa,with Enugu West senatorial district ticket of Labour party is plotting to upturn PDP’s control of Enugu West senatorial district.
But from all indications, PDP chances of retaining Enugu West district is very bright based on the support from stakeholders like Senator Dr Hyde Onuaguluchi, Senator Ben Collins Ndu, Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Hon KGB Oguakwa, Dr Eric Oluedo, among others.
