Mbah promises fast economic growth, lauds Ekweremadu, others

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Peter Mbah, said he has developed a blueprint to harness the human and material resources of the state to grow its economy and make it rank among the best in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos at the weekend, Mbah lauded Governor Ifeanyi Uguwanyi for laying a solid foundation for economic prosperity in the state.

Mbah said that the time has come for states to grow their economy and stop relying on the federation account for their survival, noting that, the “bottom-top approach will help our federation to grow and make the centre less attractive.”

The governorship hopeful noted that for the state to grow fast, there must be a paradigm shift in the way things are done, the reason he would adopt a “disruptive strategy” in all facets of his administration.

He, therefore, assured residents that, if elected as the governor of the state in next year’s election, he would deploy the blueprint, which he has developed, to ensure peace not only in the state but also in the entire South East.

Fielding questions on his reaction to the decision of the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to step down for him and stop all legal action against his candidacy, he said: “I will remain ever grateful to him and others for their understanding and love for the party. But I am not surprised with Ekweremadu’s action, because we discussed and had an agreement on how to incorporate his visions and development agenda into ours, and since he has a strong passion for developing the state.

“We had several private talks, we had an agreement on programmes and projects, especially those that are critical to his support base and we have no problem working together for the interest of the state and our party.”

Mbah said all the aspirants won his heart for their sense of sportsmanship. He said: “We won together as there was no victor, no vanquished in that primary election. More than ever before, all the aspirants won my heart for their sense of sportsmanship. I thank all of them, without exception, for this demonstration of support and I can assure them that if Enugu people vote us into office, we shall all have stakes in the government.”