Dr Peter Mbah, the Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship flagbearer for the 2023 general elections has stated that Enugu State is the safest and most peaceful State to live in the country.

Speaking at Aguobu-Owa, headquarters of Ezeagu Local Government Area on Saturday as part of his thank you visit to the Ezeagu people he commended the exemplary efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State over the past 7 years of his administration.

Mbah who was received to a rousing reception by Ezeagu party stakeholders and supporters who turned out large numbers, said that available data show Enugu State is performing well under the present administration.

According to him, even though what brought him and his team to the local government was to voice their appreciation for what happened during the PDP governorship primary election on the 25th May, 2022, he deemed it necessary to look at the state of affairs in the country and applaud the Ugwuanyi-led administration for making the State less susceptible to insecurity and violence.

“You have narrated how you have consistently supported PDP since 1999, and how we have witnessed remarkable growth and tremendous development in the different sectors of the state. You’ve only reaffirmed what’s known to everybody across our country.

“Over the past 7 years, there has been improvement in infrastructure and welfare of the people. Enugu State today is arguably the safest and most peaceful State in Nigeria. His Excellency, our dear Governor has made it possible for us to enjoy the dividends of good governance in the State,” Mbah said.

While further expressing his gratitude to Ezeagu people, Mbah informed them he was inspired by the unreserved support given to him with their bloc votes at the governorship primary. Pledging not to disappoint them if elected governor of the State, the governorship candidate who had earlier said his visit had no coloration of campaign, reassured the people of his resolve to move the state forward from where the present government will stop.

“We are here to say thank you to you all because we sincerely believe that gratitude is the mother of all virtues. We came to tell you that the decision you made that very day isn’t a mistake. We hold you in high esteem. Your decision will make a positive difference in our tomorrow which is here,” he added.

Bewailing the gloomy state of country’s economy, the lawyer and oil and gas tycoon, citing figures from the federal ministry of finance, announced that the country is broke and in difficult situation which called for amplified efforts to escape the economic trap. He stated that with his team leading the State, Enugu would be insulated from economic strangulation.

“There is no time as critical as now in our nation and economy. We are getting to the point where federal allocations will no longer be available to states. The country is in huge debt. We are no longer making profits. We are servicing oil subsidy with all our earnings. This calls for efforts to be redoubled and we are going to do that.

“What we need today is someone who can harness the human and mineral resources in the state. We have to reactivate our inactive and dormant assets to create wealth.

“To do this, we need someone who has a proven track record of success both in private and public sectors. The best legacy in any sector is succession plan. It’s important because all you have worked for can only be sustained through your successor.

“When we indicated interest to vie for the position of governor, we nurtured a clear vision and blueprint to shove the state’s economy and make Enugu an investment destination by creating a business friendly environment.

“Let me assure you that we’ll move our economy higher and key into the core goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We aim

to grow our economy three times the size of Rwanda. We know what to do and how to do it. We also know what to do to enhance our performance and scale up existing businesses in the state.

“The question is how do we get this funding. How do we make sure investors prefer Enugu State. The good news is; we have the solution. We are very clear about the challenges and there won’t be excuses,” Mbah added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Chukwudi Ozoeluba, commended the inspiring spirit of Mbah and his team, promising to give him full support that would lead him to victory.

“We want to tell you that we have done it before and we will do it again for you. Our votes are for you and we will not come short of 100% in the polls,” the chairman added.

Reiterating the chairman’s position, the ranking House of Assembly member representing the Ezeagu State constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Chima Obieze stated that Ezeagu would not only seek to support Mbah’s candidature but also seek to partner with him.

“In you the people of Ezeagu have realized that our dreams can still be fulfilled. We once had industries scattered across the state. All these sites have become moribund and our dream is that they will be reactivated by you,” Obieze stated.

While recognizing the effort of Governor Ugwuanyi in the emergence of Mbah as the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Hon Obieze stressed that Ugwuanyi is a man with good plan for the state adding that his biggest legacy was the gift of Mbah to the state. He further extolled the governor’s disposition to the youth constituency through employment, appointments and mentorship.

On his part, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Ugwuanyi and the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency, Dr. Festus Uzor, showering encomiums on Mbah, went down memory lane on their relationship in the state which he said was robust and progressive.

“I knew Mbah before his aspiration for governor. He was my colleague in the cabinet. He served as Chief of Staff and Commissioner. He left a superlative record in the public sector. We are proud of him,” the medical doctor turned politician added.

Paying glowing tributes to his former boss, Uzor stated that the Mbah phenomenon was Ugwuanyi’s creation for the good and interest of Enugu State. He opined that Ugwuanyi’s legacy would transcend space and time because of the leadership he is bequeathing to the people.

On Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Mbah’s running mate, Uzor described him as bold and audacious yet loyal and dependable. “Your choice of deputy was inspired by God. The people of Ezeagu have resolved to give you our votes wherever you are. You can take that for granted. The governorship is already won,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo pledged that Ezeagu votes would go for Mbah and other candidates of the party. She charged the oil and gas mogul to replicate his feats in the private sector in Enugu State.