Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah has reaffirmed commitment to transforming Enugu state and bringing development, to the doorsteps of the people, describing his victory at the court of Appeal as a victory that will make water run non stop, make Enugu state a road construction site, ensuring smart schools.
Pix- Gov Mbah and Exco members
He gave the assurance in his address to the people of the state while reacting to his victory at the Appeal court .
Mbah also described the verdict as victory for the people and transformation of the state in line with his manifesto, assuring that he would never fail the people.
He further said the judgment had put paid to falsehoods peddled to malign the people’s government.
He said, “as you are aware, a few minutes ago, the Court of Appeal in Lagos, dismissed an appeal filed against us by the Labour Party of gubernatorial candidate.
Pix-2nd L-R Udeh,Ossai,Mbah Onyia
“The judgment of the appellate court is consistent with an earlier dismissal of the same matter filed before the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal; and both judgments are in line with the mandate freely given to us by the great people of Enugu State in the March 18 gubernatorial election. They further reaffirmed our belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“Let me also say this as a lawyer: this judgment reaffirms my belief and trust in the irrevocable will of the judiciary.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the Justices of the Court of Appeal for standing firmly by the sacredness of the temple of justice.
“I want to also thank the great people of Enugu State for their endurance in the face of palpable untruths purveyed just to paint their government black. Therefore, with this judgment, we are going to deploy more energy and commitment to bring development at the doorsteps of Ndi Enugu.
“Permit me also to state that this is not a victory for Peter Mbah as a governor; it is victory for water that will run nonstop in Enugu city homes in less than 20 days from today. It is also a victory that would make the length and breadth of Enugu State a road construction site. It is also a victory that would ensure that we have smart schools across the 260 Wards of Enugu State.
“Let me assure Ndi Enugu that we are not going to let them down. We are going to deploy every breath and fiber of our being to consolidate on the gains we have made so far. Again, I want to express my profound gratitude to the great people of Ndi Enugu for their tremendous support and unimpeachable trust they reposed in us. We will never fail them. Indeed, the long awaited tomorrow is right here with us”.
The 3-member panel presided over by Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan held that the Appeallant failed to prove that the Respondent forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, and not qualified to contest the governishp election.
Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the March 18 governorship election with 160,895 votes..
Edeoga of the Labour Party came second with 157,552 votes, while Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 17, 983 votes to claim third place.
Edeoga and his party had approached the tribunal to disqualify Mbah and declare him the winner of the election, while claiming to have polled the highest valid votes cast.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
