Ben Ezechime, Enugu
It is no longer news that the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu State had reserved judgment on the petition brought before it by the Labour Party (LP) and it’s Governorship candidate in the March 18, 2023 election in Enugu State, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga.
Edeoga and his party had petitioned the tribunal challenging the declaration of Peter Mbah as the duly elected governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
After the adoption of final written addresses by both parties to the suite on August 16, the tribunal reserved judgment, promising to communicate a date to both parties.
Meanwhile, as the good people of Enugu State continue to wait for the judgment day, the abode of Hon. Edeoga, has been turned to a pilgrimage with various groups, communities, local government areas among others, converging daily to pay solidarity visit.
Just as groups troop to his resident at Gulf Estate in the daytime some opposition politicians also flock to Edeoga’s house in solidarity with the LP candidate in the night, apparently not wanting to be caught and accused of anti-party.
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, at his Golf Estate residence in Enugu, Barrister Edeoga’ received the people of Ovoko Community in Igboeze South LGA, Enugu State.
The community did not only come for solidarity but came with joy and funfair making the visit a carnival of sorts.
It would be recalled that the same Ovoko people were the first community to hand Edeoga an ‘Ofo,’ which is the symbol of truth and justice in Igboland during his governorship campaign back in February.
Speaking on the visit, Barrister Shepherdman Iyioku said: “Today the people of Ovoko joined in the gale of solidarities of Enugu people to Barr Chijioke Edeoga.”
Speaking further, Iyioku said that the competition of solidarity visits, by communities, different social groups in Enugu State and professional bodies to Barr. Edeoga, shows that he had the mandate of the people of Enugu State.
According to him, Edeoga has been playing host to individuals, groups, communities, local governments on daily basis, day and night, who throng his house for support, solidarity and prayers.
Included in the entourage were men and women of proven integrity, professionals, clergies, youths and women of Ovoko extraction.
Before the Ovoko community solidarity visit, the people of Okpuje/Okutu/Anuka ward in Nsukka LGA, popularly described as ‘the potential economic gateway to Enugu state,’ had taken their turn to come and remind Edeoga of their total support in the cause of liberating Enugu State.
Also, recently, Engr. Chimaobi Sam Ugwuede and Prof. Denchris Onah, Ochiaya 1 of Mbuezeutazshi Enyi, led a delegation of every clan in Mbu Town on a solidarity visit to Barr. Edeoga at his Enugu residence.
In the same vein, the members of Udenu Labour Party stakeholders in Udenu Local Government Area also recently visited Edeoga to inform him of their solid support.
The Isi-Uzo Women Support Group for Edeoga, Eha-Amufu Ward 3 Chapter, was also at the residence of Edeoga (their own son) to pay a solidarity visit and to pray for his victory at the tribunal.
The chairmen of LP in the 17 local government areas of the state were also not left out as they recently visited Edeoga for solidarity.
It has been observed that there are various prayer groups by women from all parts the state organising prayers for the success of Barrister Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga at the tribunal.
In all these, Edeoga has remained resilient and optimistic with full of confidence that justice will prevail at last.
In all the solidarities, Edeoga, as gentle as ever, always thanked them for coming to identify with him, urging them to continue in prayers until the mandate, “the Enugu people freely and consciously gave me is recovered and restored.”
He also assured them in an unequivocal voice that when he recovers his mandate, he would uphold good governance in Enugu State, anchored on probity, accountability and with the fear of God.
