In preparation to wrestle power from the ruling political party , Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, led stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East to interact with the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abukakar.
The meeting was in furtherance of Atiku’s consultations, preparatory to the commencement of campaigns for the 2023 presidential election.
In his speech, Ugwuanyi, who is the leader of the PDP in the South East and candidate of the party for Enugu North Senatorial District, formally welcomed Atiku to Enugu, assuring him that Enugu is essentially a PDP state.
The governor also acknowledged and welcomed other leaders of the party, who travelled from far and near to be part of the event. Other dignitaries at the event include: the Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Chukwu; the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum; the National Secretary of the party, Sam Anyanwu; the Acting Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Adolphus Wabara; former presidents of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim and Dr. Bukola Saraki; members of the BOT of the party, Dr. Jim Nwobodo, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo, Ben Obi and Mrs. Justina Eze; the National Vice Chairman (South East), Dr. Ali Odefa; the PDP governorship candidates in Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states, Peter Mbah, Prof. Uche Ikonne and Mr. Ifeanyi Odii respectively, as well as the party’s deputy governorship candidates.
Others include serving and former principal officers of the National Assembly; serving and former members of the National Assembly; serving and former members of the National Working Committee of the party; former ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly; Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates of the party; serving and former state chairmen and secretaries of the party; state youth leaders, women leaders and publicity secretaries of the party; council chairmen; among others.
Addressing the audience, Atiku commended Ugwuanyi for his support, patience and selfless service to progress of the party, stressing that the he has always demonstrated utmost leadership and commitment.
Atiku, who was received at the airport by teeming party faithful and supporters on arrival in Enugu, appreciated other South East leaders for their immense support for his presidential ambition in 2015, saying: “Your sons and daughters have played major roles in the development of my life and the country.”
Revealing his massive development agenda for the South East zone, the PDP presidential candidate, who outlined five priority areas, namely: reunification of Nigeria, security, restructuring, improvement of the economy, human capital and infrastructural development, stressed that the agenda will benefit the South East as “a Nigeria that truly works will work for all zones.”
