Day Enugu PDP Campaign Train Berthed In Nkanu West

THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign train that berthed in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State on Wednesday had with it all the trappings of modern day politics as it was filled with glamour and bright colours among other activities that removed boredom from the mammoth crowd. Men and women as well as various youth groups adorning different colours, different kind of music that blasted from giant speakers mounted in the open field, and the sitting arrangements provided the needed comfort, conviviality and gave good meaning to the campaign.

 From all indications, it appeared the organisers knew the council was the best place for the event as they bear in mind what the administration of Afam Okereke, had put on ground in terms of human and infrastructural development, which has helped to restored hope for the party in the council in the last one year. 

  The Okereke administration had renovated the administrative headquarters of the council, asphalted the internal roads, provided functional pipe borne water, and healthcare centres as well as an ICT centre, which has put the council ahead of others in the state. 

   His development-oriented programme has endeared him to residents of the council as the people showed their love and support for the PDP on Wednesday, closing down businesses and offices to turn out in large number to welcome the state campaign team led by Governor Sullivan Chime. The various communities that make up the council rolled out different cultural troupes that added glamour to the event.

   Chime, whose team comprised of the PDP governorship candidate, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Enugu East Senatorial candidate, Gilbert Nnaji; House of Reps candidate for Nkanu East/West, Chukwuemeka Ujam, and House of Assembly candidate, Iloabuchi Aniagu among others could not but take time off to acknowledge cheers from the people and commend the level of transformation that had taken place at the council headquarters.

   Governor Chime noted that Okereke, has indeed justified that his choice as the Council Chairman a year ago was not a mistake, saying that he (Okereke) has made giant strides that should be emulated by other council chairmen.  

  Speaking on the issue that brought campaign team and the leadership of the state to the area, the governor stated that the campaign for votes in the 2015 general elections for the party candidates in the council had been made easy by the performance of the council chairman. 

   He told the gathering that the party leadership in the state came to present its candidates in the 2015 elections for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly respectively.

  While presenting the party’s governorship candidate, Ugwuanyi, he said t he was confident that he (Ugwuanyi) will eventually perform better than him if voted into power.

  Chime explained that there is nothing like godfather in Enugu State as far as PDP was concerned, adding that it was because of the sterling leadership qualities of Ugwuanyi and his endearing popularity in the state that some political parties could not field governorship candidates in the forthcoming election.

  He also stated that the political parties that fielded candidates for the governorship contest don’t have the courage to campaign openly.

  “My administration is coming to an end. In the next three months, I will excitedly handover to the incoming governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi by God’s grace. My successor will perform more than me. He has the qualities to lead; there is no godfather in Enugu State. Ugwuanyi is so popular that even other parties could not field candidates for the governorship contest,” he said.

  The governor, who also campaigned for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan and other candidates of the PDP in the area, told the people that members who left the party to contest election in the opposition parties, after losing out in the primaries were not genuine members of the PDP.

  He made it clear that the party was not in agreement with any candidate or opposition parties for the purposes of the 2015 general elections, urging the party faithful to remain resolute and continue to pray for the success of the candidates.

     In his speech, Ugwuanyi assured the people of his commitment to their welfare and developmental needs, urging them to continue to support and vote the PDP in all the elections.  He stated that if the people transmit into votes what he had seen at the rally, the PDP would definitely win with landslide in the council. He commended the council chairman and his team for a job well done.

  Speaking further, he assured that he would consolidate on the good works of the Chime administration because it encompasses every sector of the state. “It was a well-thought out programme, it is well carried out as seen in all visits across the communities in the state. 

 The senatorial candidate of the party, Gilbert Nnaji urged the party supporters to vote for the party in all election, stating that Nkanu West as the administrative headquarters of Nkanu land would always witness surge in elections by her indigenes.

Ujam, who is vying the House of Reps seat for Nkanu East/West on the party’s platform, noted that time had come when the voice of the area should be heard. He promised that he would not misrepresent the people if given the votes. 

 Okereke told the gathering that it was a day of celebration of victory for the party in Nkanu West, stressing that the large turnout was an indication that “we don’t have any other party in this local government.”

  “Unlike other states, where the choice of governor ended up dividing the structure, the choice of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ended up bringing unity to our great party. We will continue to thank God because if you look at everything the way they are happening, you will see the hand of God in it.

  That is why we gathered today to show him some love. It is to show our solidarity to the system, to show our solidarity and support to the people the party has presented for us to support, to the people bearing the flag of the great party, PDP in our zone, in our Local Government and constituency. I want to assure your Excellency that we will not fail,” he stated.

  Okereke further said that the council had always campaigned for those bearing the flag of the party and would continue to do so even after the state party campaign team has gone. 

  He used the opportunity to appeal to the state government for assistance in the rehabilitation of Amurri road, which he said his administration had started working on, adding that the road could only be accessed during the dry season.