Enugu State governor-elect, Dr. Peter Mbah, has dedicated the March 18, 2023 governorship victory and his certificate of return to the people of the state who worked tirelessly for his victory.
Mbah, who alongside his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, and 23 House of Assembly members-elect received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu yesterday, saying the mandate given to him by the people would be reciprocated with good governance, industrialisation and strategic policies that drive development.
While extending his hands of fellowship to candidates of other political parties to join in moving the state forward, Mbah noted that the era of politics, acrimony and the bitterness associated with it was over, stressing that the collective interests of the people and the state and how to achieve them should be the next step as he could not afford to let the people down.
He vowed to deliver within time on his promises, saying the certificate presented to him contained an unwritten pact between his administration and the people of the state to restore peace and security, attract investments, create jobs, provide running water within 180 days, ensure new infrastructure and take the state to its desirable and enviable place in the comity of Nigerian states.
The entrepreneur who reiterated his resolve to run an all-inclusive administration that would carry everyone along irrespective of party affiliations, zones and leanings, added that he would be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and traceability that would enable the people to assess the performance of his government.
His statement read in parts: “A while ago, I received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This certificate is not just an ordinary paper. It is a legal document which contains an unwritten pact between our administration and the good people of Enugu State.
“Today is indeed another memorable day in our journey to greatness, development and prosperity.
“In the build-up to the campaigns and electioneering process, we played politics. It was understandable and fit for the purpose of that time. For some aspirants and candidates, it was a game of survival of the fittest and elimination of the weakest. To some others, it was, fair is foul and foul is fair. Today’s handing over of the certificate of return to us should end all such atrocious politicking. It is time to move on.
“History will never forgive us if, at a time like this, when we should be pursuing the interest and development of our dear Enugu State, we are still enmeshed in the pursuit of political gains and cleavages.
“It is why I extend my hands of fellowship to all my brothers with whom I ran the race for the hearts of the Enugu electorate. While we have different political platforms to achieving the Enugu dream, we are united by our passion for the growth of our state.
“As I said earlier, politics has ended. Ndi Enugu have shown their preference. Let us end the politics of acrimony and focus on how to move our state forward
“Let us recognise that Enugu State is bigger than all of us. We thus must all work in her overall interest, which is development and growth.
“Since my announcement as winner of the March 18 election, I have set forth at dawn. I sleep and wake like the woman weaving the tapestry. Ideas of how to weave an Enugu State that will be the joy of all of us spin daily in my head. But, I cannot do it alone. I ask all of us to come on board and let us jointly take our dear state to its desirable and enviable place in the comity of Nigerian states,” he said.
