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Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in some parts of the state have expressed delight over what they described as the “unexpected solidarity visits” the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah paid to their respective wards during the party’s monthly ward meetings over the weekend.

Mbah during the solidarity visits enjoined the party faithful in the grassroots to take the ward meeting very seriously saying the meeting is the most important one in the party.

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Expressing their happiness at the presence of the gubernatorial candidate in their respective wards, the party leaders showered encomiums on him for identifying with them while further describing him as a man of humble character and empathy who would give Enugu State a new lease of life.

In his address, the Amankanu/Ubahu Ward party chairman, Hon. Stanley Odo stated that Mbah’s presence would boost their confidence to woo more people to the PDP and convince the electorate on the new mandate for the state.

Reiterating the above, the Deputy Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government and a chieftain of the party, Chief Martins Agbo recalled the good works Mbah had been doing for the people through his Peter Mbah Foundation stressing that the governorship hopeful was the new face of Enugu State who should be preached across the state.

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Speaking at Amechi-Idodo/Oruku Ward, the ward party chairman, Engr. Edeh Nweze maintained that Mbah’s project for the state was a collective project the people of Amechi-Idodo and Oruku would bear with pride as they would mobilize en masse for the field at the appropriate time permitted by the law.

Describing Mbah as “our project”, the Amankanu Administrator who is from the ward assured of their resolve to double their efforts in making sure the people participate actively in party activities.

In Isi Uzo local government area, the situation was different as the people came out in large numbers permeating the air with the solidarity chant, “no vacancy in Lion Building for other parties in the state in 2023.” Speaking at Ikem Ward 1, Ambassador Kingsley Ebenyi, who is a former House of Representatives member for Isi Uzo/Enugu East federal constituency, assured the people that Mbah represented their yearnings and aspirations and would put Isi Uzo at the forefront of his administration, stressing the need for the party to reject other deceptive political parties in the council area.

In Ikem Ward 2 where thousands of party supporters attended the ward meeting with fanfare, the gathering had the colouration of membership sensitisation on the need to obtain their voter’s card once they are made available by the INEC.

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The local government party chairman, Hon. Uche Ugwueze speaking on behalf of the people, expressed confidence that Isi Uzo had always been PDP and would continue to be a PDP local government-controlled area, adding that Mbah’s humble nature despite his accomplishments set him apart as a man of mission for the state.

At Abakpa Ward 2 in Enugu East local government area, the PDP was described by the party stakeholders as the most accepted and entrenched political party in the state. Addressing the mammoth crowd, the local government PDP chairman, Hon. Jonas Ogbu maintained the party was the only political party with the highest number of supporters in the state and would replicate its customary victory in the forthcoming elections.

Meanwhile the event took a different turn at Ozalla Ward in Nkanu West local government area as the people remained resilient in their excitement to welcome Mbah and his entourage despite the time which was already getting dark.

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In their addresses, the party chairman, Hon. Uwabunkeonye Nnamoko, and the local government council boss, Hon. Uchenna Ejim expressed their appreciation to Mbah for the solidarity visit.

Ejim described Ozalla Ward and the entire local government area as the home of the PDP. According to him, Ozalla was significant because of its voting strength which it would deploy for the party’s victory. “You can go and sleep, Your Excellency,” he assured.

Welcoming the PDP gubernatorial standard bearer in Ameachi-Uwani Ward 2, the party chairman in the council area, Hon. Freedom Nnam stated that despite the time, his people were ready to wait until the arrival of the governorship hopeful, saying it was a sign of commitment to the collective task ahead. “Our stakeholders, party executives and faithful are always here for you,” the chairman further assured.

While welcoming Mbah to Umunevo Ward 2 in Enugu North local government, the party chairman, Hon. Oke Ezike, and the council boss, Hon. Emeka Onunze, disclosed the area as the ancestral home of the Ogui people who were ready to work with him. “Permit me to address him (Mbah) as the governor in waiting because God has ordained it to be so,” Onunze added.

Meanwhile, reacting to the respective addresses from the ward meetings, Mbah explained that his solidarity visit was to reassure them that the party was still one family and intact, calling that all hands should be on deck to achieve the party’s collective mandate. “We came to show solidarity with you on your meeting, and I’m delighted that despite the time, you’re still here for us. This shows the level of confidence you have in us, and we are not taking it for granted,” Mbah said.

Addressing the jubilant party supporters, Mbah stated that the task ahead required adroit human resource utilization and capacity building in the party adding that Enugu State has always been a PDP state in the past 23 years and would continue to deliver good governance to the people of the state.

Recognizing the important roles of both women and youth in party affairs, the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd magnate enjoined them not to relent in reaching out to both party members and non-members and called for forgiveness, reconciliation and spirit of love among the people.

Speaking on the need for the people to prepare ahead of the forthcoming elections, Mbah stressed that the collection of permanent voters card (PVC) by the people was paramount to exercising their voting right in the 2023 elections.

Mbah who charged the new PVC registrants to visit INEC offices to rectify any error in their data when the INEC displays its voter register said the PVC was the only weapon the electorate could use to determine those to represent them. He further encouraged them to reach out to others on the need to collect their voter’s card once the INEC makes it available in October.

The party gubernatorial flagbearer who also used the opportunity to call on supporters across the state to take the monthly ward meeting very seriously by attending and actively participating in mobilizing support for the party enjoined them to be dedicated and committed to the meeting by extending it to the polling unit level and every household, assuring that the PDP would replicate its winning formula in the February and March 2023 general elections.