From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Enugu State Governor and the South East leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was conspicuously absent and without any apology, yesterday, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Enugu.
The absence of Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of PDP for Enugu North senatorial district and a member of G-5 Governors, led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesor Wike, according to the people was an indication that all hope of settlement between the group and Atiku have been lost.
Ugwuanyi’s deputy, Lolo Cecelia Ezeilo, who was at the rally in her speech simply welcomed the PDP presidential candidate to the state and noted that Enugu State has been PDP since 1999.
She said: “We all know while we came here, we are here to welcome the former vice president and presidential candidate of PDP here in Enugu State. Since 1999, we have been doing it and this will not going to be a different case. I am begging all of you, as you have been doing it, let us do it again, I thank you all.”
However, Atiku, who addressed the crowd in less than three minutes, restated he was going to be the steppingstone to an Igbo presidency.
Expressing satisfaction with turnout of the people during the rally which took place at the famous Okpara Square, Atiku who was in company with his wife, Titi Abubakar; his running mate and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, Pius Ayim, Emeka Ihedioha, Aminu Tambuwal, PDP National Secretary, Sam Daddy Anyanwu and a host of other PDP leaders, said there was, indeed, PDP in Enugu State.
He said: “I am very, very pleased with the attendance and the crowd I have seen here in Enugu today, whoever say there is no PDP in Enugu is not saying the truth. There is PDP in Enugu and Enugu has been PDP from inception and is still PDP today and will continue to be PDP.
“When I came here few months ago to attend a zonal conference of the South East, I said to the South Easterners or to the Igbo, I am going to be the steppingstone to an Igbo presidency and I mean it.
“Whether an Igbo man is from the South East or from the South South, it is the same race. And today my running mate is an Igbo man. It is a universal ethnic group, it is a universal race.
“I want you to support the PDP because PDP is Enugu and Enugu is PDP. I want to let you know that this country is geared towards electing a PDP government, you will not be an exception and you will not be a minority.
“The next government in this country is going to be formed by the PDP, and therefore, as you have always been, be in the mainstream of Nigerian politics because that is the only way that can bring about the prosperity, the economic development, the peace and the security you are looking for in this part of the country and also in the country in general.”
Earlier, Mbah, while welcoming Atiku and the PDP-PCC to the state, said: “I want to inform you that since inception of the current democratic dispensation, Enugu State has remained the greatest home of PDP. PDP Enugu yesterday, PDP Enugu today, PDP by the grace of God Enugu tomorrow.
“We have always carried PDP as a banner with so much pride, I want to assure you that PDP is Enugu and Enugu is PDP.”