Amid support by G-5 govs, Enugu PDP unveils candidates for elections

Boosted by the support provided by the G-5 governors, the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, unveiled her candidates for the 2023 general elections.

But at the colourful ceremony held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where the candidates ranging from House of Representatives to Senate and governorship were presented with flags of the party, former governor of the state and the candidate for Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Chimaroke Nnamani was the only one that did not receive the party’s flag.

His inability to receive the party’s flag might not be unconnected with the suspension order handed down to him by the national leadership of the party last week over his alleged anti-party activities.

He was also absent from the occasion attended by Governors of Rivers State and leader of G-5 governors, Nyesom Wike; Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and host governor and candidate for Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Apparently to underline their soured relationship with the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, organisers of the event ensured that his picture did not appear anywhere in the party’s brochure for the occasion. Rather, the picture of the Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, who presented the flags on behalf of the party to the candidate, was conspicuously displayed in the brochure of the programme among others.

The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, who responded on behalf of other contestants, lauded Ugwuanyi for ensuring secured environment, quality education, rural development, sustenance of peace and security, stressing that such was responsible for the massive gathering and the rush for investment in the state by investors.

“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 added that the gathering is to renew the mandate of our great party, stressing that it was made possible because of the trust the people have on those who have led the state from the PDP.

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.

Governor Ugwuanyi had also appreciated the people of the state for the support shown to the PDP since 1999 and expressed the hope that they would repeat the same in 2023 for all the candidates of the party.

In their various remarks, Makinde, Ortom and Wike had appreciated the people for the support shown to Ugwuanyi and the PDP and tasked them to ensure that they delivered their wards and polling units on the election day to the party.

Wike had described 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.

At the event, a coalition of 12 registered political parties had endorsed Mbah and other candidates of the PDP in the 2023 elections, saying they were motivated to do so by the good governance propelled in the state by Ugwuanyi.