Why we withdrew case against Ugwuanyi, by UDP

United Democratic Party (UDP), Enugu State chapter, said yesterday that it decided to withdraw its case at the Governorship and House of Assembly Election Tribunal against Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the overall interest of the state.

The chairman, Mr. Jideofor Ngene, told reporters in Enugu that the decision to abandon the case, which he described as painful, was to ensure peace, tranquility and development of the state.

Ngene, who noted that the decision was reached after several meetings with the governor and party hierarchy in the state and national levels, added that Enugu had been one of the peaceful states in the country, and that the party would want the peace sustained.

Flanked by the deputy governorship candidate, Sunday Aroh, and publicity secretary, Riche Obie, Ngene said: “Enugu state is bigger than any individual interest. We are Enugu people and elections have come and gone. This is the time of governance. We want our state to progress, and since the governor has extended his hand of fellowship, we have decided to join him to move the state forward.

“Our decision to support Ugwuanyi is not based on monetary value or gain, but for the sole aim of moving Enugu forward.”

Ngene noted that many states in the country were still reeling in electoral crises, stressing that, “pursuing the matter, which to us has merit, will clearly undermine the peace the state has enjoyed over the years.

“This is part of the sacrifice that we need to make to move Enugu state forward. We don’t want to create problems for the people of the state. Again, since the governor has requested that we submit a blueprint of our development programmes for implementation, we do not think that there is any need to carry the fight further, as the sole aim of vying for the office is to take Enugu to greater heights.”