Gov. Ugwuanyi (left) in a warm handshake with Peter Mba after emerging winner
Barrister Peter Mba, has been declared winner of the Enugu Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket to become the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 general elections.
Mbah who polled 790 votes in the governorship primary election held on Wednesday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, promised to serve with humility, openness, and to sustain, and build on the legacies of the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, if elected governor in the upcoming governorship poll in the state.
In an acceptance speech, Mbah who is the chairman, and chief executive officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, described the exercise as the essence of democracy.
He expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi, whom he described as the “architect of the success of what we are witnessing.”
The Chairman of the PDP Enugu Guber Primary Election Panel from the National Working Committee of the Party, Senator Ambuno Zik Sunday, said that Chikwado Chukwuka, and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, got one vote each; Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, polled three votes, while Hon. Chijioke Edoga, scored nine votes to come second in the election.
He said that 812 delegates were accredited to participate in the election, while a total of 807 votes were cast, and three declared invalid, bringing the total valid votes to 804.
However, several hours before the election which started at 3.20 pm, the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, announced his withdrawal from the race through a statement issued by his campaign organisation.
Captain Evarest Nnaji, and Dr. Joseph Onoh, son of the late Chief Christian C. Onoh, announced their withdrawal from the race.
Shortly before the commencement of voting, 8 other aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race, while pledging their support for Mbah.
They include Barrister Nwabueze Ugwu, Rev. Ralph Nwoye, Prof. Jehu Nnaji, Gabriel Aja, Abraham Onyishi, Beloved Dan Anike, and Tochukwu Ude.
Recall that elder statesman, and former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Chief Jim Nwobodo, had during a press conference yesterday, endorsed Mbah as the right candidate to replace governor Ugwuanyi.
