The people of Owo community in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State, yesterday, went agog in celebration as they rolled out the drums in large numbers over the surprise visit of their son, Dr Peter Mbah, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mbah, while on solidarity visits to PDP ward meetings in many parts of the state stopped over at the venue where the party faithful in his hometown of Owo were holding their monthly meeting.

His presence aroused jubilation among the community who came out en masse for the meeting with cultural troupes expressing their gratitude to God and the leadership of the party for considering Mbah’s wealth of experience in different sectors and choosing him to fly the party’s flag.

The uncontrollable crowd numbering in the thousands prayed for the state governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the people of the state for making it possible for a possible rebirth of the state through the support given to their son whom they described as an astute technocrat, accomplished entrepreneurial innovator and philanthropist of note.

Speaking at the venue of the meeting, the leader of the PDP local government monitoring team, Hon. Patrick Osita Onu said he was amazed at the existing love and unity among the people, saying Mbah made it possible as a unifier.

While receiving the governorship candidate, Onu enthused: “These are your people; we are your people, and this mammoth crowd is a testimony to your wide acceptance among your people. When we see you, we see our tomorrow and we see hope.”

In his welcome address, the chairman of the Owo Ward, Hon. Joe Arum stated that Mbah represented the light at the end of the tunnel to the people of the state, and assured him that all the people of Owo had resolved to follow him wherever he decided to lead them to as they trusted in his wisdom and unassailable decision.

Addressing the huge gathering of the party faithful, the visibly overjoyed member representing Nkanu East constituency at the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor described Mbah as a “hero and a shinning light for the people of the state,” stressing that God had wiped away their years of tears in Nkanu East through Governor Ugwuanyi.

The lawmaker who took time to sensitize the people on the need to collect their voter’s card and make sure the cards are kept intact further said it’s time to work hard and leave no stone unturned in reaching out to people from other areas.

“It’s time to work. It’s time to hit the ground running for this collective project. I’m calling on all the youths, leaders of thought, women, support groups and other bodies to mobilize for the great project. Let’s make sure we obtain our PVCs. Mbah’s project is God’s project for the good people of Enugu State.

“Peter Mbah has done it before and he will do it again. He has constructed roads for us, built schools for us, built a good hospital here, offered free education and a whole lot of things. Therefore, it’s time to show him the love he has always shown us,” Nnajiofor added.

Acknowledging the cheers from the people, the PDP governorship hopeful said he decided to pay them the surprise visit to encourage them and to also remind them of the task ahead, stressing that PDP has always been winning every election in Owo and would continue to win.

Mbah who charged the people to lead by example further admonished them to refrain from trading words or fighting anybody in the state including members of the opposition adding that PDP did not need to campaign in Owo as it had already been taken by the party.

“It is our time to show that we are ready by making sure that nobody fights or act out of provocation because we have a greater task ahead. Let’s have patience and live in peace. We have to be example to other communities, show them what it means to be united and frequently reach out to people outside there,” he said.

Addressing the people on the importance of their voter’s card, Mbah enjoined the qualified electorate in Owo to make sure they collect their PVCs, keep them secure and encourage others to do the same, adding that ward meetings should be attended and supported with commitment. According to him, there’s no alternative to PDP in the State.