We’ll return South East to PDP –Gov Mbah

From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu

Enugu State Governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East, Dr. Peter Mbah, has promised that the party would regain its first position in the region.

Speaking at the PDP South PDP East Zonal Congress in Enugu, yesterday, where the National Vice Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa, the Zonal Secretary, Chief James Ugwu and some old executive members were re-elected, Mbah noted that the South East has always been bastion of PDP, urging the members to continue to carry the banner of the party with pride.

Others elected during the zonal congress that took place at the Michael Okpara Square are Mrs. Regina Uchebo as Zonal Treasurer,. Cornelius Okey Ugwu as Zonal Zonal Organising Secretary, Madubuike Okoro, Chigozie Igwe, Dominic Nwankwo, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arodiogbo to the positions of Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, and Woman Leader, respectively, for the zone just as Godswill Nwanoruo and Ezeanya Augustine were elected to the positions of Zonal Youth Leader and Auditor.

Governor Mbah said, “when we describe the PDP as a great party, It’s not just a borrowed mantra. The party’s greatness is derived from its capacity to reinvent itself and retain its national appeal in the face of challenges.

“The South East has always been a bastion of PDP. We carry the banner of PDP with immense pride and honour. We must ensure that that remains so. This should be uppermost in our minds as we cast our ballots this afternoon. As we do so, we strongly affirm that unity is strength; that the best we crave for our party can only be attained if we remain united.”

He stated that PDP fully understands the demands of Nigerians from governance, hence every policy of his government is targeted at the welfare of the people.

“We thank everyone gathered here for coming out en masse to further give meaning to our dear party’s conviction that democracy is the power of the people in action. Your resilience is amazing. It reflects your steadfast belief in our great party, (PDP).

“We’re gathered here to elect new Zonal executive committee members of our great party. This is what democracy is all about. Like I’ve always emphasised, election is never an end in itself and neither should victory raising from it be construed as personal triumph.

“We fully understand the demands and expectations of the people in a democratic setting. The bottom line is good governance. This is the ideal which our great party, PDP, has committed itself to right from inception.

“That’s why, for us in Enugu State, the people remain the centrepiece of our government policies. The improvement of their welfare is not a task we regard with levity. It reflects our determination to ensure that the provision of basic services can, indeed, be taken for granted by the people.

“Democracy is beyond the squabble for office and power. It is about the people. We cannot emphasize that enough.”

In his acceptance speech, Chief Odefa thanked Governor Mbah for his sacrifice for the party despite enormous jobs he’s doing in Enugu and urged Stakeholders from the zone to  join hands with Mbah to rebuild the party in the region.

“We also want to appreciate all the delegates that voted for us today and reposed your confidence in us. It is our promise and our pledge that we will not let you down, we will make you proud. We have a fresh mandate of four years and within this period we will right all the wrongs in our party.

“I also want to use this medium to appeal to our brothers and sisters who may feel aggrieved with this process and this outcome to sheath their sword, let us come together and build a party that all of us can be proud of,” he added.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State. Ifeanyi Ossai; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Augustine Akobundu and Nnoli Nnaji .

Others include Senator Sam Egwu; National Auditor of the party, Chief Dan Orbih; Council Chairmen led by Okechukwu Edeh, federal and state lawmakers, state party executives and other delegates from the zone.