The member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South federal constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta, has said that he and his colleagues have been vindicated for defecting to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state to embrace the Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration.
Speaking during an interface between the state governor and leaders of political parties in Enugu North Senatorial zone, otherwise known as, Nsukka socio-cultural zone held at the Hall of Fame, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) at the weekend, the federal lawmaker cited the recent appointment of an “indigenous Nsukka son of Nsukka as Vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, for the first time after the citadel of learning founded in Nsukka soil 65 years ago, and, named after our nation -Nigeria, as a jynx broken by the Governor Mbah administration “ for the people of Nsukka zone.
Hon. Obetta further stated that the 5000-shop capacity Nsukka International Market, which the governor just finished flagging off its construction ceremony before coming to the interaction session, was a clear testament to the governor’s genuine plans and commitment to developing the Nsukka zone.
He recalled that when he and his colleagues, including the member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze North federal constituency, Hon. Dennis Agbo, along with their other supporters, decided to return to the PDP following the leadership crisis in their former political party, the Labour Party (PDP); he had made it clear that the decision was born out of their passion and commitment to advancing the development of their area.
“It is, however, on record that you (Gov Mbah) did not coerce us to return to the PDP and embrace the vision of your administration.
“It was your government’s good works and vision that convinced us. When we took that decision, we made it clear that our action was born of a shared vision of your administration’s agenda for transforming our dear state.
“We stated that our zone stands to witness more impactful development activities when we are with you under a common political canopy, so that at our various levels synergise in fostering critical development in all areas”, Hon. Obetta stated further.
Assuring the governor that the people of Nsukka greatly love him and are committed to supporting his administration, Hon. Obetta stated that those participating in the interactive meeting are real grassroots leaders from the six local governments that constitute the zone, including Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Etiti, Udenu, and Uzo-Uwani.
He urged the governor to permit a representative of each of the local governments to speak on the peculiar needs of their area, emphasising that apart having in their “finger tips full knowledge of the their people’s needs, demography of their villages and communities, those in attendance in the meeting are “strong political foot-soldiers who are in control of the conscience of their people, and, as well, serve as effective feedback to the people on the government development activities and administration.
In his response to the various demands of the different speaker which essentially centred on road, water and improve welfare, Governor Mbah stated that his administration prioritized education and health within this first two years of his administration, adding, however, that though issues of roads were not abandoned within the period as he cited several roads awarded, and, were under construction, he however promised that greater attention would be given to those requests they made.
The governor dismissed any fear among the people that his administration hated Nsukka, promising that his government was committed to developing the zone on an equal basis with other zones in the state.
