It was a joyous moment, on Friday, February 27, 2023, when the G-5 governors ,members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,,Enugu state, stormed Michael Okpara square , Enugu in thousands, for the flag-off of the party’s campaign in preparation of the 2023 general elections coming up on February 25 and March 11, respectively.
The integrity governors in attendance were Rt. Hon (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, of Enugu state, who is PDP candidate for Enugu North Senatorial zone, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Their Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu, who is still mourning the late PDP guber candidate for Abia State, Prof. Uche Ikonne was absent from the rally.
In their speeches, Governors Wike, Ortom and Makinde thanked the people of Enugu state for their support for the PDP. They endorsed the senatorial ambition of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and all the candidates of the party.
They described Governor Ugwuanyi as a great achiever, a good man and a dependable ally, who always stands by his words and believes in the principles of equity, justice and fairness which the G-5 Governors are pursuing to uphold and protect in the country.
The governors urged the party supporters to ensure that they delivered their wards and polling units on the election day to the party.
Governor Wike described Governor Ugwuanyi as “a reliable, courageous good man whom you can go to war with your two eyes closed”, stressing that the group would remain supportive of all his activities and would extend the same to the governorship candidate of the party.
Speaking, Benue State Governor, Dr. Ortom, stated that the events of the campaign flag off have boosted their confidence that “Enugu State is PDP from the gubernatorial, the senatorial to the House of Representatives and House of Assembly.”
He described the forthcoming elections as “very critical,”
Ortom expressed gratitude to the party supporters and people of Enugu State for their support to governor Ugwuanyi.
He said that Governor Ugwuanyi “is a good man and God will bless him.
“May I declare as Ocheoha of Enugu State that PDP will win in Enugu State,” Ortom said
Also speaking, the Oyo State Governor, Makinde congratulated Governor Ugwuanyi and the PDP family in Enugu State for the successful flag off of the campaign, stating that the outcome of the rally was a clear indication that Enugu will remain PDP.
“I have seen the people. This is indeed going to be a successful election. Enugu will remain PDP,” he said.
In his speech, Governor Ugwuanyi appreciated the people of the State for the support shown to his administration and the PDP since 1999 and expressed the hope that they would repeat the same in 2023 for all the candidates of the party.
The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr Peter Mbah, who responded on behalf of other contestants, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for ensuring peaceful , secured environment, quality education, rural development in the state.
He attributed the large turn out of party supporters to governor Ugwuanyi’s good works. He sdded that the friendly environment created by governor Ugwuanyi administration, attracted investors to Enugu state.
He promised to boost the economy of Enugu state if voted into power, saying, “mindful of the consolidation of these great achievements, we have vowed to grow the economy, provide dividends of democracy and build upon the transformation that Ugwuanyi has brought to take Enugu to the next level.
“Since the beginning of the fourth republic, Enugu has remained the hope of PDP. We have carried the PDP banner with great pride and we are poised to continue with it.”
Mbah said that the gathering was to renew the mandate of their great party., which , according to him, was made possible because of the trust the people had on those who have led the state from the PDP.
He said that the PDP holds all the axes to win the forthcoming elections in Enugu State, saying, “what is left is for us to speak in one resounding voice in the next election and reach out and seize the future because tomorrow is indeed here.”
He commiserated with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the people of Abia State for the unfortunate death of the PDP Governorship candidate in the state, Prof. Uchenna Ikonne.
He appreciated the support of the G-5 governors in showing leadership and remaining steadfast in the quest for justice, equity and fairness in the party.
In their goodwill message , a coalition of 12 registered political parties, led by Afam endorsed Governor Ugwuanyi, Mbah and other candidates of the PDP in the 2023 elections, saying they were motivated to do so by Governor Ugwuanyi’s good governance in the State.
Highlight of the event was presentation of flags to the candidates. Former Governor of Enugu state , Chimaroke Nnamani, who is a candidate for Enugu East senatorial position was absent.
Others who spoke at the event, were, the State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani and the Director General of the PDP State Campaign Council, Ikeje Asogwa. They highlighted the good works of Governor Ugwuanyi. They said that the PDP is alive in Enugu State and will win the elections because of governor Ugwuanyi’s remarkable achievements and uncommon leadership style.
Other dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; former Deputy Governors, Ezenwata Okechukwu Itanyi, Hon. Sunday Onyebuchi and Bishop Ralph Nwoye; PDP National Vice Chairman (South East) Chief Ali Odefa; his South South counterpart, Chief Dan Orbih; Party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Wife of former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Mrs. Dorothy Nwodo; Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Members of the State House of Assembly; EXCO Members; Chief Hyde Onuaguluchi, Senator Ben Collins Ndu; Chief Maxi Ukuta, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Amb. Emmanuel Edeh and other clergymen, PDP Presidential Aspirant, Barr. Charlie Ugwu, among others.