Jubilation thrills Enugu as the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday converged and chose a gubernatorial candidate who will fly the party ticket come 2019 in the person of the incumbent governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Leadership SCORECARD were on ground as His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor of Enugu State was issued the mandate of PDP as her gubernatorial candidate for 2019.
The peoples’ immense love, admiration and gratitude towards the governor was proven beyond every reasonable doubt as delegates from 17 local government areas of the State came in their numbers and casted their votes that steered him into 2019 guber race.
The event indeed was historic and at the same time heroic as Ugwuanyi became the first and only aspirant to emerge as gubernatorial candidate of PDP unopposed in Enugu State since the inception of the party from 1999. Truly, Ugwuanyi is a man of the people, a rare gem, a peace ambassador, an apostle of leadership by example, who can best be described as ‘preparation meets opportunity’.
In attendance were dignitaries in the person of the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic, distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the first ever female Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Cecilia Ezeilo; Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, Honourable Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government Hon. GOC Ajah; Sen. Gilbert Nnaji, senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District; Sen. Utazi Chukwuka, senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District; other members of the national assembly; PDP National Youth Leader Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye; State House of Assembly Members; the Enugu State PDP Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, Enugu State PDP Zonal Chairmen, Honourable Commissioners; former governor of Enugu State and board of trustees member of the PDP Chief Ekwesilieze Nwodo; Dr. Ralph Nwoye, Chief Ideh Okolo; Hon. Abel Chukwu, formal speaker Enugu State House of Assembly; council chairmen of the 17 local government areas in Enugu State; the electoral committee chairman senator Abuno Zik and other members of the committee, INEC officials and a host of others.
During a brief conversation with the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ajah and PDP zonal Chairman Enugu West, Chief Okey Ozoani who acknowledged the turn up of the party delegates as commendable.
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ekwerenmadu while addressing the people, said that “… this is the first time PDP as a party in Enugu State has just one guber aspirant and a non-contentious primary election; he went further to say that he has been a politician for 21years and have not seen something like this.” He appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his good work in Enugu for the past three years he has been in office and also applauded his remarkable performance when he was chairman of house committee on maritime in the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja, saying that his impact was felt.
The local governments delegates were called upon in turns and were given ballot papers to enable them cast their votes; this was done in alphabetical order to get the accurate and precise number of delegates as well as votes casted.
Aninri Local Lovernment was the first and had a total number of 119 accredited delegates and 117 delegates present cast their votes. Awgu LGA had 134 accredited delegates and 132 delegates present cast their votes. Enugu East LGA had 143 accredited delegates and 141 delegates present cast their votes. Enugu North had 150 accredited delegated and 147 delegates cast their votes. Nkanu East LGA had 161 accredited delegates and 161 delegates voted. Igboeze North LGA had 214 accredited delegates and 211 delegates voted. Oji River LGA had 214 accredited delegates and 211 delegates voted. Isi Uzo LGA had 129 accredited delegates and 129 delegates voted. Igboeze South LGA had 175 accredited delegates and 172 delegates voted. Uzo Uwani LGA had 177 accredited delegates and 174 delegates voted. Eziagu LGA had 212 accredited delegates and 211 delegates voted. Nsukka LGA had 213 accredited delegates and 207 delegates voted. Nkanu West LGA had 160 accredited delegates and 155 delegates voted. Udi LGA had 216 accredited delegates and 212 delegates voted. Igbo Etiti LGA had 216 accredited delegates and 216 delegates voted. Enugu South LGA had 147 accredited delegates and 145 delegates voted. Udenu (Gov. Ugwuanyi) LGA had 123 accredited delegates and 123 delegates participated.
After the votes have been casted and collated, the chairman of the electoral panel senator Zik announced the following results: total number of delegates registered – 2,895; total number of accredited delegates – 2,864; total votes cast – 2,859; valid votes – 2,782; invalid votes – 77; vote against – Nil. Sen. Zik declared Ugwuanyi Enugu State PDP Guber Candidate for 2019. He describes Ugwuanyi as a humble man who has the fear of God “with humility comes the fear of God, no wonder Enugu State is in the Hands of God” he said. He continued saying that Gov. Ugwuanyi is hardworking and amiable, he is a magnet that attracts everybody, without any doubt in his mind, he knows the governor will achieve more in 2019. He ended his speech by assuring Ugwuanyi of his peoples’ love for him. Finally, the governor thanked everyone present, returned all glory to God Almighty and enjoined everyone to give a hand of applause in honour of God for giving him the mandate to fly the PDP guber flag come 2019. He ended by saying “…with your prayers and God in on our side, victory is assured come 2019. Enugu State is indeed in the Hands of God”.
