...By Buchi Nnaji

Before now, Enugu State was usually referred to as a "PDP State" because of the dominance of the People's Democratic Party, PDP in occupying political positions in the state. It may interest the reader to know that from inception of the present democratic dispensation, the PDP maintained a record of winning all elective positions in every general election, until the tsunami that took the party unaware visited in 2023. With that erstwhile reality, political aspirants only had to work hard to clinch the PDP ticket during primary elections. Once a candidate succeeds in flying the party's flag, he or she would be rest assured of final victory at the poll. This shows the high level of confidence the people of Enugu State had on the People's Democratic Party.

Against all odds, PDP was, and still remain the most widely accepted political party in Enugu State. However, during the journey to 2023 general elections, the spirit of greed and desperation lured some of her disgruntled and self-centered members, who are mostly beneficiaries of PDP into conniving and betraying the party that maintained political stability in Enugu State for many years. Prominent among the factors that threatened the victory of PDP in Enugu State was the conspiracy of the Nwodo family to seize power at all cost and become the new political godfathers in Enugu State. The 'Nwodo cabals' expended a lot of resources in a bid to actualize their selfish desires, but providence was obviously against them as all their efforts ended in futility.

The level of gang-up against PDP during the 2023 elections in Enugu State was very high that the conspirators still find it difficult to digest the success of PDP in the guber election. What marvels me is why the Labour Party faithfuls tend to accept the results of the State and National Assemblies elections won by them, but question the victory of PDP in the guber and other elections they lost? Is there more to their success story than meet the naked eyes? Have they written the results ahead of the elections? The conspirators fail to understand that "God is great and lives above men". The people voted, and their votes counted.

Despite alleged manipulation of poll results by Labour Party in Nsukka and other LGAs, the Enugu State Labour Party guber candidate still lost the election. Faced with the reality, they further requested for a review of the polling unit results, obviously to buy more time while they sort for federal mights to help them upturn the will of majority of Enugu people and enthrone their incompetent and rejected candidate. 

In response to their request, results from Nsukka and Nkanu East LGAs were properly reviewed by INEC headquarters, Abuja in the presence of all the parties involved. At the end of the tedious process, the reviewed results still indicated that PDP won the election and was consequently declared winner, with certificate of return duly issued to Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as the Enugu State Governor-Elect on 30th March, 2023. Therefore, it is needless for opposition parties to petition the Election Tribunal for any reason, since the review of the results by INEC as requested by Labour Party seem to have given final judgement on the governorship election.

In reality, without the Obidients movement effect, Chijioke Edeoga of Labour Party wouldn't have recorded up to 10,000 votes in the last governorship election. The reason is simple, his glaring incompetence is well known to Enugu people, having been in power for close to 30 years. His antecedents speak ill of him. In one of his outings during the electioneering campaign, the embattled Labour Party guber candidate, boasted of being in power since 1992, long before His Excellency, Peter Obi made a move into politics, yet there's nothing positive to show for the donkey years he mismanaged the people's mandate. Whereas, Mbah on the other hand has performed credibly well, both in private and public sector. His mouthwatering achievements are unmatchable. 

The emergence of Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's successor is miraculous, represents the authentic will of the masses and signifies a paradigm shift from the old to new order. Despite the Obidient movement tsunami that knocked most PDP candidates off, Mbah clearly won the guber election. Of course, his tantalizing profile, pedigree and the grace of God fought for him. Mbah's ability to survive the deadly plots against him by power mongers in the state is an indication that he is a man on a divine mission to resuscitate the ailing economy of Enugu state and create a better living condition for the downtrodden members of the society. Enugu State people are politically exposed and obviously know their onions; Peter Mbah is the best choice among all those who contested. The outcome of the election proves that the electorates weighed their options properly before going to the polls on 18th March, 2023. 

Prior to the 2023 guber election, His Excellency, former Governor Sullivan Chime, while garnering support for Mbah, stated that he (Chime) was sure that Mbah will perform better than him as Governor. He further told Enugu people to hold him responsible if Mbah fail at the end of his first tenure as Governor. Chime's assertion is inline with the views of many political analysts who believe that Mbah's incoming administration will be characterized by sudden economic growth, adherence to the rule of law, and massive infrastructural development as witnessed between 2007 - 2015, when HE Sullivan Chime was the governor of Enugu State.

For Sullivan, in his honour to make such weighty public statement about Mbah, it means there is actually something special about Peter Mbah that some people are either yet to discover or pretend not to be aware of. This is the first time a technocrat will govern Enugu State, and you may agree with me that the pattern of leadership and developmental strides can never be the same. Peter Mbah is going to manage the affairs of Enugu State like a business empire, where profits will be maximized and wastage blocked. Mbah's administration will move Enugu from a consuming state to producing state by building industries to create additional sources of internally generated revenues, while reviving moribund factories in the state. 

Looking at Mbah's rich manifesto, it shows that his administration will not depend solely on federal allocations to provide the desired developments he has promised Enugu people. As a business tycoon who has earned himself a lot of reputations, it will be very easy for the incoming Governor to attract investors to Enugu State. New businesses and industries will be established, while existing ones shall blossom. Consequently, the GDP of the state will improve, job opportunities will be created for the unemployed youths, while income generation for the government through taxes will be increased. 

Indeed, something good is about to hit Enugu State under Peter Mbah's administration. A critical look at the composition of Mbah's transition committee leaves no one in doubt that he is ready to bring economic prosperity to Enugu State. His decision to surrounded himself with successful technocrats who have distinguished themselves in different professions, is a sign of good things to come. The committee, which is expected to serve as a think-thanks for the incoming government, is saddled with the responsibility of generating a blueprint for the Mbah's administration.

Conclusively, the 2023 election is unique in every ramifications, and the emergence of Dr. Peter Mbah as the Governor-Elect is a special gift to Enugu State that illuminates the hope of the masses. His administration shall reshape the face of governance and encourage attitudinal change among the leaders and the led.

Engr. Buchi Nnaji is a PhD candidate, and writes from Enugu, Nigeria.