By Wilfred Eya
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has extolled the commitment and dedication of Enugu North Senatorial zone to the success of the party in the state.
Mbah who made the remark when he paid unannounced visits to some wards in the zone during their monthly meetings, expressed confidence that the forthcoming elections would be a walkover for the party in the state.
Dr. Mbah who was accompanied by his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai, the Director General (DG) of the PDP Campaign Organization, Chief Ikeje Asogwa and other party stakeholders, said the unscheduled visits were randomly carried out to identify with the party members and also encourage them to remain steadfast in their support for the ruling party in the state.
Mbah expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout of the party faithful, adding that their visit was borne out of the need to bring civic and political education to the people. He thanked the people for coming out, saying the benefits of their loyalty would give them reasons to celebrate.
“I am grateful for your support, and we are satisfied with what we have seen here today. We gave no advance notice yet you came out in good numbers.
Receiving the state governorship hopeful in Essodo Ward 1, Aji, in Igboeze North council area, the Executive Chairman of the local government, Ejike Itodo expressed his people’s delight for the impromptu visit, saying the large turnout was a sign that the party was intact in the ward.
Ejike who lauded the party stalwarts for coming out en masse even without pre-notice, added that Mbah’s presence had shown that he was a man of the people.
The council boss said the PDP took the best decision in its choice of DG of the party by appointing Asogwa to lead the campaign, stressing that his capacity will navigate the party to victory in next year’s elections.
Acknowledging cheers from the elated party supporters, the DG said they had visited to identify with them and reassured that Mbah’s leadership style will be encompassing and all-inclusive. He urged the ward to continue to mobilize for the party and gear up for the task ahead.
On his part, deputy governorship candidate, Ossai, charged the people to double their efforts in wooing more members as the policy was going to be “operation deliver your ward”.
He said all the wards in the council area must be delivered to the PDP, promising that the party would build on the existing infrastructure and introduce new development.
Also, at Nkpunano Ward, Nsukka local government, the party faithful turned the meeting to a carnival when they saw the PDP gubernatorial standard bearer.
Speaking on behalf of his people, a member of the State House of Assembly, Agbo Amos Amadi said it was a great privilege for the ward to receive the unannounced presence of Mbah and his entourage.
Agbo maintained that the large turnout at the meeting showed the area is the home of the PDP, adding that they would deliver outstanding victory to the party during the general elections.
Noting that the visit was a random tour, the campaign DG told the people they were passing and decided to identify with them, promising to come back once campaign commences.
Baring his feeling at the rousing welcome given them by the party, the deputy governorship candidate said their unannounced tour was deliberate to know the people’s level of preparedness, adding that they were impressed with their turnout.
He further assured that if given the leadership mandate, they would run a people-oriented government with special preference for people at the grassroots.
Explaining why they decided to pay the ward a visit, Mbah said it was their duty to bring political education down to the people in order to avoid confusion, noting that they would come at the commencement of campaigns.
“It is important to bring civic education to you. It’s PDP all the way. Our party logo is Umbrella. We came for random visits because campaign has not started. As from next month (October), we shall be coming to tell you what we have for the people. We called to greet you and tell you we are together and we must move on the same the pace,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the way to Uzo-Uwani local government for the meeting, Mbah and his entourage were intercepted by youths who recounted their memorable experience at the party’s meeting.
The youths who came from Nkpologu Ward in Uzo-Uwani said they were over one thousand party faithful that were in attendance in their just concluded meeting, pledging to double the number in their next meeting. Led by a councilor from the ward, Philip Okoro, the youths displayed the video clips of their meeting, reiterating their commitment to the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections.
Mbah said the youth of the area had proved that they were willing to be part of the solution to the country’s political conundrum. He said he would partner with them to give the party its deserved victory.