Ben Ezechime, Enugu
It is no longer news that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State chapter on Friday January 27, officially unveiled her Governorship candidate, Mr Peter Mbah and other candidates of the party.
What, perhaps, is news is that the event which took place at the Michael Okpara Square Enugu lacked the usual fanfare and the razzmatazz usually associated with the PDP in the past.
What transpired at the Okpara square fell short of a family knitted together for a common goal and a common aspiration.
There was no mention of the founding fathers of the party in the state.
Names that pull the strings such as Sen. Jim Nwobodo; former National Secretary/Chairman of the party, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (though on suspension); among others were conspicuously missing. Rather it was the imported G-5 governors that took the shine at the event.
Another disturbing fact was the quiet posture of the party supporters when names of candidates for various positions were mentioned including the governor himself.
The supporters were just spectators without genuine interest, Gov. Wike captured the mood of the moment succinctly when he had to wake the dormant crowd that refused to respond to the question; “do you love your governor?”
The Friday event at Okpara square lacked all that is required to be called a big event.
However, Gov. Nyesom Wike and his G-5 governors including Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Samuel Ortom of Benue pledged to support Mbah, and other PDP candidates in the state including Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is vying for Enugu North Senatorial seat.
“We will give you all the necessary support to ensure that you all win during the election,” Wike said.
Wike, who is the leader of the G-5 Governors described Ugwuayi as a trusted and dependable ally.
He said they were in the state to show solidarity with Ugwuanyi and other PDP candidates.
The Rivers Governor urged Enugu residents to show their love for their governor by voting all the party’s candidates in the state during the election.
Speaking, the Enugu State Governor thanked his colleagues for their support and care.
Ugwuanyi said that Enugu State has remained a PDP state since the advent of the current democratic experiment in 1999.
“We have remained a PDP state and it is not going to change,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the party was going to win again this time.
Mbah while speaking after his unveiling, said that if elected, he will continue the economic and social foundations put in place by the Ugwuanyi administration.
He said the state has enjoyed peace and tranquility under Ugwuanyi, adding that the state has remained one of the safest states in Nigeria.
“We will sustain the peace currently being enjoyed in Enugu State,” Mbah said.
