ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The people of Awkunanaw clan, cutting across several communities in Enugu South and Nkanu West Local Government Areas of Enugu State, have endorsed the governor of the state, Peter Mbah, for a second term in office come 2027.
The people, who trooped out en masse at the Civic Centre, Akpasha, for a mega rally in support of Mbah on Saturday, also presented him with an Ofo (symbol of authority and justice) saying he had set a record in less than three years that would be difficult for anyone to break in eight years.
They advised any son or daughter of the Awkunanaw clan – Akegbe Ugwu, Obuofia, Amechi, Amodu, Obeagu, Umueze, Akwuke, and Ugwuaji, interested in the state’s governorship seat to perish the thought until the office rotates to Enugu East Senatorial Zone again.
Akegbe Ugwu, Obuofia, Amechi, Amodu, Obeagu, Umueze, Akwuke, and Ugwu.
Articulating the stand of the mammoth crowd, elder statesman and former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, noted that Mbah had become a poster boy for subnational governance in Nigeria.
“We want to make it clear that the people of Awkunanaw are solidly behind Peter Mbah to complete his second term. His good works in Enugu are earning him public acclaim throughout the country.
“The high point of our coming here today is that we want to bequeath him with an Ofo, and it is rarely given. So, nobody in Nkanu land should use Governor Mbah’s remaining four years to play with us.
“Again, if anyone feels he has an issue with him, we are going to settle it indoors as brothers. But the truth remains that we are not going to joke with his second term.
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“Besides, Awkunanaw does not go to fight and come back defeated. No! We go into a just fight we will win and be proud that we fought. He has, in barely three years, done what other governors could not do in eight years. That is why we trooped out here en masse to show him explicit support. We are standing tall with him without hiding, and we are ready to defend him everywhere,” Nnamani declared.
Reinforcing Nnamani’s remarks, former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, said, as a forthright people, Awkunanaw clan, having presented the Ofo staff to Governor Mbah, could not renege on their support for him.
Nwobodo, who was represented by the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, declared that Mbah remained the best hands for the state come 2027.
“The point is that we have given the Ofo to him, and it is not something you give to two individuals at the same time because our ancestors are also involved, and it is tantamount to endorsing two persons for the same office. So, Mbah is our governorship candidate come 2027,” he declared.
Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, reiterated that Mbah had set Enugu as a benchmark for good governance, commending his revolutionary transportation strides across all sectors.
Invoking their ancestors, the traditional rulers of the entire Awkunanaw clan in a process led by HRH Igwe Obi Igwesi, jointly presented an ofo to Mbah, declaring that any Awkunanaw son or daughter, who goes against Mbah’s reelection would be inviting the wrath of their forefathers.
Speaking, governor Mbah fired back at the opposition, saying no one could diminish or distort the achievements recorded by his administration in less than three years.
“Three years ago, there were no Smart Schools and Type-2 Hospitals in all our political wards; the International Conference Centre, Hotel Presidential, Nigergas, the Enugu United Palm Products Limited, and several other prized assets were still skeletal shells and moribund.
“Three years ago, there was no Enugu Air; no state-of-the-art transport terminals; no CNG buses; and our dear capital city was not the conferencing hub that it has become today,” he stated.
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He warned the people of Awkunanaw and Nkanuland against selfish politicians sowing seeds of discord in desperate bids for power to feather their nests.
“We must come together to resist forces of falsehood and division.
“How can you claim to love Nkanu people and yet act in ways that hurt their interests? That tells you one thing: they are driven by selfish interests.
“Besides, could they have recorded even a tiny fraction of what we have achieved so far?” he queried.
Meanwhile, other Awkunanaw leaders at the event include Hon. U.S.A Igwesi, Amb. Gordi Agbo. Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo, Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, Hon. Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, Hon. John Egbo, Dr. Amaka Ngene, Hon. Nwabueze Ugwu, Igwe Dr. Greg Ugwu and other traditional rulers from within and outside the Awkunanaw clan.
Also present were Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, Hon. Ken Nyamah, Hon. Sam Ngene, Hon. Caleb Ani, among a host of those who spoke to endorse the governor.
Other dignitaries present include Dr. Ben Nwoye, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, Hon. Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, Barr. Victor Udeh, Hon. Eugene Odoh, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, host Council Chairman – Hon. John Ogbodo and many other Council Chairmen, among a host of others.