Ahead of the highly anticipated October 2024 local council election in Enugu State, the buzz resonated through the air as the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathered on Wednesday to elect its chairmanship candidates for all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Earlier in the week, on Monday, the party had already elected its councillorship candidates for the 260 electoral wards, setting the stage for a vibrant electoral season. Governor Dr. Peter Mbah joined the excitement, congratulating the winners and applauding party loyalists for their exemplary conduct during the two contentious primary elections.
The Wednesday event attracted a remarkable turnout of party delegates and key stakeholders, with many supporters rallying behind the eventual candidates after weeks of consensus-building. Their voices echoed in unison, urging their followers to stand behind the chosen leaders. However, only two former council chairmen—Hon. Okechukwu Edeh of Nkanu East LGA and Hon. Obiora Obeagu of Isi-Uzo LGA—emerged as the party’s candidates for the impending council elections.
At the chairmanship primary election held in Amagunze, Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Okechukwu dominated the competition, sweeping all 42 votes cast by delegates. In a similarly impressive show, Hon. Obeagu garnered all 33 votes at Ikem, Isi-Uzo LGA, solidifying his position as a formidable contender.
Other notable winners included Beloved Dan Anike (Enugu East), Jude Asogwa (Nsukka), Caleb Ani (Enugu South), Ibenaku Onoh (Enugu North), John Ogbodo (Nkanu West), Ugochukwu Nwanjoku (Aninri), Uche Okolo (Awgu), Vita Ndu (Ezeagu), and Gregory Anyaegbudike (Oji River), among others.
In their acceptance speeches in Amagunze and Ikem, Okechukwu Edeh and Obiora Obeagu expressed deep gratitude to party members for their unwavering support. They pledged to amplify their efforts in advancing Governor Mbah’s extensive rural development initiatives once entrusted by their constituents come October.
“To whom much is given, much is also expected. Let us go to our wards and work hard in our campaigns to win. Let me assure the people of Nkanu East that my running mate, Paul Okwor, and I are ready and recharged to serve,” Edeh concluded.
In his congratulatory message, Governor Peter Mbah, expressed satisfaction with the reports of the peaceful, free, fair, and credible process he received about the exercise across the state.
“This is what our party is known for. Again, the good people of Enugu State would agree with us that our party members made the best decisions, given the quality of candidates that will be flying the party’ flag because they have what it takes to drive our disruptive and innovative development programmes at the grassroot,” Mbah stated.
Also speaking, Member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Okey Mbah; Commissioner for Children, Gender, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih; PDP state Youth Leader, Hon. Patrick Okoh, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission, Prince Arinze Arum; Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Paul Nnajiofor; and a stakeholder, Prince Ifeanyi Onuora, who witnessed the exercise at Amagunze, commended the primary election in Nkanu East, expressing confidence that the PDP would triumph at the polls, given the antecedents of their candidate and the level of work already done by the governor across the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, Prof. Chris Ngwu, who observed the exercise at Amagunze, Nkanu East, described it as “credible, free, and just,” saying that ENSIEC under his leadership was out to ensure a level playing ground for all the political parties.
