Arewa community in Enugu state have thrown their weight behind the aspiration of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election, senator Ayogu Eze.
The members drawn from different markets and zones in the state including Ogui, Asata, Artisan, Emene, Abakpa and Gariki said it is only the candidacy of Ayogu Eze that can guarantee the protection of their inalienable rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
Speaking separately at a solidarity visit to the APC governorship candidate in the state, leader of the Hausa Community in Enugu State Alhaji, Aminu Saidu, Arewa Youth leader, Hamza Buba, former Vice-Chairman, Hausa Community and leader New Artisan Market, Alhaji Umaru Saduiq, Co-ordinator Ogui, Abdulahi Musa as well as Alhaji Ume Dauda, Secretary New Artisan Market and Udegbunam Chukwu, Treasurer , lamented the forceful takeover of the new artisan market by the current administration which they said has made life unbearable for them.
While appealing to Ayogu Eze to restore the market when he enters Lion Building, they promised to mobilize all their members across the 19 Northern states living in Enugu to vote for the APC candidate.
According to them, Senator Eze have a proven track record and has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state who are in dire need of inclusive and good governance.
Responding, the APC governorship candidate, Senator Eze who thanked the Arewa Community in the state for their endorsement said the party in the state will deliver 90 % of the votes for President Mohammadu Buhari.
He said Enugu state and other south east states cannot continue to play opposition politics saying “we want to carry Enugu to the federal level so that we will not be discriminated.
“APC is a party for all. Igbos are at a disadvantage and President Buhari has promised us that 2023 he will hand over power to Igbos to govern Nigeria”.
He also promised the Hausa community that when elected ,they will be integrated into his administration’s agricultural revolution programme.
“As for your market, maybe you want the old market back, but we are going to modernise your business. There are people we are discussing with in Brazil, who are going to bring machines for you to improve the way you process your meat. We will use the money from AFDP, World Bank and other agencies in Germany and in Britain. We will modernize and build a bigger place for you. All your cattle will not travel all the way from the north again. We have a big agricultural programme for all residents of Enugu who have interest in Agriculture.
On political inclusion and appointment, the APC governorship candidate, said everybody will be carried along irrespective of tribe and religion.
“You can remember that the first Mayor of Enugu Umaru Atine is an Hausa man. We are going to make sure that we return to that era, where Hausa, Yoruba and other people coming to sit with us in the state House of Assembly.
In 2015 there was an Hausa man who ran for the House of Assembly, Aminu Usman, the next one we will make sure, he will not just run but he will win.
In a remark, former governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 election in the state, Chief Okey Ezea thanked the Arewa Community for endorsing the APC candidate, Ayogu Eze whom he said has the capcity to the fortunes of Enugu people around.
He urged them to mobilize their friends across ethnic and religious divides living in the state to ensure that APC wins the governorship and presidential elections as well as other elective positions.
“We have no doubt that you will vote for APC. But most of the times in Enugu state, opposition parties are shortchanged. It is not as if we don’t have popular support but after voting, figures are manipulated. So I urged you to be determined agents of the party in the various units to ensure that no agent is bought over. Because that is the greatest problem we face in Enugu state.”
“We need hard work and mobilization. Tell your friends to vote APC and everybody will benefit” He added.
Also present at the solidarity visit were, state Vice-Chairman of the APC and South-East Co-ordinator, Buhari Support Group BSO, Anike Nwoga, Former Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, and APC Senatorial Candidate, Enugu North, Eugene Odoh, House of Assembly candidate, Aninri/ Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency, Vin Martin Ilo and Juliet- Nwangu Ibekaku, Senatorial Candidate for Enugu West among others.
