Politics
2023: Enugu Youths Declare Support For Ugwuanyi, Peter Mbah, PDP
Members of ‘Project 2019 and Beyond for Gburugburu’ have thrown their weight behind Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and his aspiration to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
The group which was formed by the late former Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Chief Patrick Omeje, to galvanise the youths to mobilise massive support for Governor Ugwuanyi in 2019 and further strengthen his political ascendency beyond 2019, also declared their unflinching support for the governorship candidate of the PDP in Enugu State, Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and other candidates of the party.
Speaking when the LG Executives and five members of the Ward Executives in Nsukka LGA paid a solidarity visit to Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, the Director General of Project 2019 and Beyond for Gburugburu, Hon. Barr Tony Ugwu, disclosed that they are emboldened by the numerous achievements of the governor in the state in spite of the nation’s economic and security challenges, his penchant for peace and good governance and the uncommon love he has shown to the group since its inauguration.
Hon. Ugwu pointed out that through the governor’s magnanimity and commitment to the well-being of youths of Enugu State, a lot of members of the group benefited from the World Bank supported Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project.
The Director General disclosed that, “it is on record that presently the APPEALS programme is paying money instantly into the accounts of the beneficiaries,” adding: “Some of them are here and we say thank you very much Your Excellency.”
Commending Governor Ugwuanyi’s role in keeping the group alive, he said:”Your Excellency, without you, this ‘Project 2019 and Beyond’ would have been moribund with the death of the man who gave birth to this group. But we are happy because the Project 2019 and Beyond is still alive.
“When we say beyond, it means Project 2019 has gone beyond 2019. We are talking about Project 2023 and we came here to give you maximum support and solidarity; that we are totally behind you and your senatorial bid; that we are also behind your preferred governorship candidate, Barr Peter Mbah, who is the candidate of the PDP in Enugu State, likewise other PDP candidates in Nsukka LGA”.
In a related development, youths of Independence Layout, Enugu, also visited Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, to appreciate him for entrenching peace and good governance in the state.
The youths equally applauded the governor for the numerous road projects his administration has executed in Independence Layout, Enugu, stressing that no past administration paid special attention to the area the way he (Ugwuanyi) has done so far.
They threw their weight behind Governor Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and other candidates of the party, stressing that they will work tirelessly for their victories when the time for electioneering comes.
Speaking, the leader of the group, Solomom Nnaemeka Nwobodo, told Governor Ugwuanyi that “the way Independence Layout is now, is not how it was before,” adding: “You built for us Valley Crescent, Mount Drive, Link Road, Ukehe Street, Isi-Uzo street, Ugwuoba Street, Nwafia Street, Ibuza Street, Holy Trinity-Bishop Michael Eneje Street, among others.
“Your Excellency, you recruited the people from the Ministry of Transport, MOT, (Traffic Enforcement Bureau Cadets) to control traffic in Enugu city. During past governments, there was traffic gridlock in Enugu, but now the MOT controls everywhere making sure every place is free from traffic congestion.
“As if that is not enough, you established for us Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch groups and gave maximum support to the security agencies to discharge their duties effectively. And there is peace and security in Enugu today that we now sleep with our two eyes closed, among other numerous achievements.
“Your Excellency, you brought an open door policy to your government. You have given our youths, our mothers and our fathers the opportunity to participate in politics and most of them have achieved their political aspirations.
“We say we should come and thank you and promise you that come 2023, we will support you to go to the Senate because some of us cast our votes in Nsukka.
“We are also promising you that we are solidly behind Barr. Peter Mbah, to be your successor in 2023. All of us are for the PDP and by the special grace of God, Independence Layout has never lost any election since 1999.
“Your Excellency, thank you once again for uniting the indigenes of Enugu State through the PDP by accommodating everybody, and anybody who comes to the Government House. Our motto is talk to who you know in your polling unit and ward to make sure that PDP wins come 2023. Always count on our unalloyed support and solidity, sir.”
The Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon. Barr. Walter Ozioko, the PDP candidates for Nsukka East and Nsukka West constituencies, Barr. Christiana Onah and Amos Agbo respectively, were with the LG and Ward Executives of Project 2019 and Beyond for Gburugburu during the solidarity visit to the governor.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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