The CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Barr Peter Mbah, has been elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State.
Mbah emerged as the winner during the primary election at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Wednesday. The Chairman of the Electoral Panel of the PDP National Working Committee, Abuja, Senator Ambuno Zik Sunday, announced that the number of accredited delegates were 812 while the the total votes cast were 807.
According to him, Mbah pulled 790 votes out of the 807 votes cast, saying that the valid votes were 804 while the invalid votes were 3.
Ambuno added that Mbah was followed by Chijioke Edeoga with 9 votes, Chinyeaka Ohaa 3 votes, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu 1 vote and Chukwunta Gilbert 1 vote, while the other aspirants had no vote.
In his acceptance speech, Peter Mbah attributed his success to Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s support saying that ,” The success of what we witnessed today was the handwork of Governor Ugwuanyi.”
Mbah, who was the former Chief of Staff and former Commissioner for Finance under former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for enhancing the democratic process of his emergence.
He assured the governor that posterity will reserve a noble seat for him (Ugwuanyi) when the history of Enugu State is written.
Mbah, who hails from Owo, Nkanu East local government area, promised to build on the achievements of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration and serve the people of Enugu State with humility.
He said, “We are going to serve you with humility and moderation, openness and inclusiveness, and simplicity and forthrightness”.
He also thanked his co-aspirants especially the eight aspirants who stepped down for him for their understanding, cooperation and sacrifices.
Mbah further thanked the former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, for the fatherly role he played during consultations and promised to build on the achievements of the present administration.
He said, “We are going to work together with your support. What we have here represent more of a celebration than a competition.
Mbah thanked the delegates, party members for their overwhelming support and solidarity. He commended the members of the PDP Governorship Electoral Panel of the party’s National Working Committee as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, for their contributions to the peaceful and transparent conduct of the exercise.
Earlier, Dr. Chukwudi Nnaji, Dr Kingsley Udeh, Engr. Erasmus Anike, Barrister Nwabueze Ugwu, Rev. Ralph Nwoye, Prof Jehu Nnaji, Dr. Gab Ajah and Baloved Dan Anike stepped down for Peter Mbah.
The former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu and Former Minister of Power, Engr. Barth Nnaji withdrew from the contest.
In his withdrawal statement, the Director general, Ekeremadu Campaign Organisation, Hon Charles Ogbo Asogwa, said, “We wish to inform our supporters and Nigerians that the former Deputy President of the Senate and foremost governorship aspirant in Enugu State, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will not be participating in the PDP governorship primary election scheduled for this Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
“Meanwhile, we continue to trust God as we appreciate our teeming supporters and the good people of Enugu State for the enormous goodwill they have ceaselessly invested in the actualisation of the “Pathway to a New Enugu State”. We urge them to remain peaceful and be assured that we will keep them abreast of our decision on the way forward.”
