MBAH: BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF NEW ENUGU

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

Until the just concluded general elections in March 18, this year, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway in Enugu State capturing almost all elective positions both at national, state and local levels

since the emergence of the 4th republic in 1999.

The signs of wind of change began with EndSars protests two years ago

with Nigeria youths demanding total eradication of police brutality, oppression and extra-judicial killings in the country.

It was against the aforementioned backdrop that pushed the youths to

embrace the candidature of Peter Obi of Labour Party that symbolizes the soul of a new Nigeria they have been yearning for all these years.

Following the skirmishes that trailed the PDP primaries in Nigeria in general and Enugu State in particular, some

aspirants that lost out in the power game took to other political parties to advance their political dreams.

One of such political office seekers is Hon. Chijioke Edeoga who became the flag-bearer of Labour Party, taking the advantage of the growing popularity of Obi to sway the tide against the old order which ironically was the crest on which he rode to prominence.

Recall that Edeoga came into political light as local government chairman of Isi-Uzo before moving to House of Representatives through the patronage of the Nwodos political dynasty.

He became one of the longest serving Commissioners n the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration, indicating he was a strong ally of the regime before they parted ways.

Therefore, with the defeat of the PDP candidates in the National Assembly election where PDP had only one House of Representatives-elect out of

eight seats, Edeoga had the hope of sweeping the governorship poll but

later events turned otherwise as the scenario of National Assembly and the Governorship were quite distinct.

The question in the minds of many people in Enugu metropolis and its environs is, how did Peter Mbah survive Obidients’ tsunami in Enugu?

The inquiry became imperative following the fact that during the February 25, 2023 presidential election in the state, the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lost to the Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi with a total number of votes that an opposition party never used to defeat the PDP in the political history of the state.

The Labour Party also secured two of the three senatorial seats held in the state.

There were mixed reactions as to how Mbah emerged as Governor-elect with many agreeing that the three weeks gap was the magic that helped him to win the election.

For the opposition, Mbah’s victory would be challenged in Election Tribunal, alleging irregularities in the electoral process. And citing over voting in Nkanu East Local Government Area as an instance.

Likewise, the pro-Mbah group alleged that there was over voting in Nsukka Local Government Area as well as other areas in Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

Dr Aguba Okorie a public affairs analyst, said in an interview that the rescheduling of the election from March 11, alongside the

Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections to March 18, 2023 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave Mbah

good time to re-strategize for the poll.

“As you can see, the tsunami also affected the current governor of Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as his bid to go to the senate was truncated. He was defeated with a wide margin by Okey Ezea the candidate of the Labour Party for Enugu North Senatorial Zone,

Also not spared in the bandwagon effect was Chimaraoke Nnamani, a former two time governor of the Enugu State and serving Senator representing Enugu East in the National Assembly who was defeated by Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party with a wide and unexpected margin.

“Fresh strategies adopted by Mbah included, among others, tactically detaching himself from Ebeano and Ugwuanyi. Mbah within the last three weeks of his campaign showcased himself distinctively as a man fully prepared for governance. His public engagement and decisiveness earned him more accolades as people began to yearn for his disruptive innovation he promised to introduce.

As it is, Mbah by his electoral victory has become a beautiful bride in the Coal City State the legal battle with the opposition, notwithstanding.

Trust Nigerians, scores of politicians have since started lobbying for appointments and patronage, shifting pressures away from the incumbent at Lion Building to the Governor-elect.

If there is any humanity activist that took more delight in Mbah’s electoral triumph, it was the Convener and Lead Speaker of the “Mbah Mandate Movement, Comrade Kennedy Iyere.

Iyere last Wednesday in coalition with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) launched Mbah Mandate Movement (M3-Group) meant to support the mandate of Mbah, the Governor-elect of Enugu State.

The human rights crusader said the need to support and defend the “mandate of Mbah is critical to the rapid development of Enugu State.

He noted that Mbah’s administration would engender a responsible government whose priority would help to accelerate social and economic development for the sustainable well-being of Enugu State and its people.

“Tell me who else, if not Peter Mbah, his records of past performances have made him the most acceptable among the three key persons who contested for the 2023 Enugu gubernatorial seat.

“His victory was well deserved and the results of the polls reflected the will of the people.

“Look at his achievements in the private sector where he distinguished himself, as a pacesetter. His Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd proudly has over 8,000 employees.

“His Peter Mbah Foundation has shown compassion to thousands of persons through various humanitarian interventions.

“Among other contestants, show me anyone of them who has such an enviable legacy. Mbah has come to serve and to move Enugu State to its next realm of development and Enugu people are aware of this.

“Therefore, those who are making efforts to distract his focus are hereby advised to distance themselves from him.

“This is the reason stakeholders have gathered to launch the Mbah Mandate Movement, also known as M3-Group. It is a widespread advocacy group whose aim is to safeguard the mandate of Peter Mbah”, he told the August gathering.

Speaking, the Convener of CountryFirst Movement, Prof. Chris Nwaokobia, described Mbah as a visionary leader capable of transforming the state.

Nwaokobia said, “we must defend Mbah’s mandate because of his passion to serve and develop Enugu State.

“Leadership is all about commitment and competency and that’s why we have no any other option to support and defend Mbah’s mandate because we believe he will do everything possible to take Enugu state forward.”

Also, Popular Nollywood Actress, Patience Ozokwor, said Mbah was elected because of his capacity to deliver good governance.

According to Ozokwor, “we believe that only a man who can feed a home, should be given a wife and that’s why we gave our mandate to Mbah to transform Enugu State.

“It will be a shame that people like us will sit and watch the Enugu State drag to the mud because of selfish interest.”

Other Stakeholders at the event thanked the residents of Enugu State for giving their votes and their mandate to Peter Mbah.

They assured Enugu State people and Nigerians at large that Mbah remained the best and safest hand Enugu State needs at this point as Governor.

Several members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) participated and they were led by Enugu Network of Civil Society Organizations.

The groups included: NBA, NUJ, PCRC, the Obidient Movement, NCFront, IPAC, CNPP, CRPP, TMG, League of Women Voters etc. Different youth and women groups, student organizations, religious entities and Artisan networks were among the participants.

The common denominator in the Enugu gathering is that all the stakeholders vowed to protect the mandate of Mbah.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.