By Wilfred Eya and Christian Agadibe
The Enugu metropolis was literally shut down on Saturday as members of over 500 different support groups took to the streets in solidarity for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah.
The solidarity walk which was like a carnival was through the major streets of the capital including Presidential Road, O’Connor Street, Ogui Road, Stadium, New Layout and Independence Layout.
The highly excited PDP supporters were adorned in colourful uniforms, caps, and placards bearing various inscriptions of endorsements and approval for the candidates especially its governorship standard bearer.
In the event titled, “Occupy Enugu for Peter Mbah”, the crowd later emptied into Okpara Square where some of the prominent youth groups expressed joy over the choice of Mbah by the people, saying they would demonstrate their voting strength at the polls on March 11 governorship election.
The convener and Director, PDP Support Groups for Peter Mbah in the party’s State Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. USA Igwesi, said the crowds that took over the capital and recommitted their earlier support for Mbah was a reaffirmation that PDP would win all the polling units in the state, including the presumed support base of the opposition parties.
He said any doubt about the victory of Mbah and the PDP had already been cleared by the teeming number of people that left everything they were doing to express their love and readiness for Mbah’s candidacy.
“I don’t think we need any other election to prove that you have already won. The people have already delivered their verdict and they’ve shown they’re at home with your candidacy. All we need at the poll now is a mere formalization.
“These people have marched across the major streets of the capital to show their resilience and determination to give you victory, and to show that their tomorrow; that their future is secure with you as their governor.
“Your Excellency, you’ve demonstrated capacity, competence and leadership capability both in the public and private sectors and we are only waiting for you to give us that new state of economic prosperity you promised us,” the former ranking lawmaker added.
In his remarks earlier, the patron, Peter Mbah Support Group, Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, stated that he was thrilled by the turnout of supporters, describing it as legendary.
He described the outing as one in a million and a reconfirmation that victory had already been decided in favour of Mbah.
The legal practitioner vowed that his group would not rest on the gain they had recorded but would continue to go the extra mile until the PDP gubernatorial frontrunner is declared winner on March 11, 2023.
While appreciating the overwhelming crowd for the uncommon strength and gesture it displayed, Mbah, who was satisfied with the crowd of supporters, stressed that the people had shown they were comfortable with the PDP over the past years.
“You have shown you are with the PDP yesterday, today, and that you’re going to be with PDP tomorrow, and that tomorrow we’re talking about is here.
“Indeed, you have shown today that you’ve taken this project as your own and this your demonstration is reassuring,” Mbah stated.
Noting that elections were already around the corner and that the people were close to the finish line, the governorship hopeful charged the jubilant crowd to come out in large numbers with their voter’s cards and deliver overwhelming votes for the party.
“We’re almost at the finishing line and we must finish it together. We must come out and replicate what you have done today at the polls, and together, victory will be ours,” he added.
The business mogul promised that his administration would ensure good governance and dividends of democracy, especially for the youth, women and the general populace.
Addressing the crowd, the PDP candidate, Mbah expressed joy with the turnout, saying they have shown enormous resolve in what they believe in. “You have all shown that you are with PDP yesterday and today and that you are going to be with PDP tomorrow. That tomorrow is right here with us. I want to tell you that what you have done here today is a demonstration that you want to seize your tomorrow, you want to reach out and bring out tomorrow here.
“What that means is that you are already with us on this journey of greatness, growth and development. I want to promise that, that tomorrow that you desire, we are going to take you there. We are going to take you there because you deserve it, you know the value and we are not going to let you down. I want to join the convener in thanking God for a safe walk and bringing us back safely. What this means is that we have a line of sight to the finish line as we can already see the finish line.
“We already know that victory is ours and what we need to do is to brace that finish line. You know when you are on a marathon you may have a line of sight to the finish-line and you now need all the energy in you to push to the point where you can brace the tape and be crowned with victory”, he said.