As early as 9am people were already pouring into the venue and preparations were at a fever-pitch: young men and women were striding gingerly around the venue fixing the odds and ends; children clung to their mothers for fear of getting lost in the crowd; elderly ones supported on walking-sticks limped bit-by-bit to the venue. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the legendary business tycoon, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose re-entrance into Enugu State politics, after a decade and a half in the corporate world, has come with a big bang.
All roads led to Igbo-Eze South LGA Headquarters. PDP faithfuls of Enugu North Senatorial once again re-affirmed that PDP is the Landlord and any other party in the State is not more than a tenant.
Understandably, the event triggered fear and trepidations among Labour Party Stake-holders, especially as Igbo-Eze South was before now considered the strong-hold of the opposition. So, what happened? Why the volte-face by the masses of Igbo-Eze South? How come Peter Ndubuisi Mbah now commands such massive attention among the people? Let me vouchsafe some answers?
After Barr. Mbah delivered his manifesto on October 13, 2022, it was easy to see that he is unmatched by any other candidate, in terms of capacity and competence. He is purpose-driven and goal-oriented. His ambitious programmes for the Economy, Education, ICT, Health-care, Agriculture, Energy, and Transportation have made opposition candidates look like school-boys. Equally, Barr. Mbah’s discussion of e-governance is spell-binding and promises a new era of fiscal discipline and responsibility in Enugu State. Those were the magic wand that changed the equation in his favour.
Considering that Igbo-Eze South is one of the most educated LGAs in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, a candidate such as Peter Mbah will certainly appeal to them.
But there is yet another reason. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s style is antithetical to the politics of war and acrimony, which has remained the stock-in-trade of the opposition. A solid man that drips class, he deploys his accomplishments to drown the blabbing of the opposition.
Mbah’s vision is credible because while driving us towards the future, he also points back to his precedents. For example, it is preposterous for the opposition candidate to harp on plans to create jobs and also dwell so glibly on Ease of Doing Business when he has never run a pure water factory. It is like a celibate organising tutorial classes on marriage and child-care when there is no practical experience to fall back on.
Ndubuisi Mbah has also demonstrated disarming humility in canvassing for support from the length and breathe of the State. Although PDP commands 95% percent acceptance among Enugu voters, Mbah is not taking any chance; he wants to rake in every available vote. Most crucially, his total humility towards the voting public is a recognition that power belongs to the people. In a country, where strong-arm politics is the order of the day, a mind-set such as Peter Mbah’s is beneficial to the general public as it spotlights the masses as the fulcrum of Power.
Peter Mbah is an Owo man from Nkanu East, but he is today a global citizen with global networks. In Enugu State, however, Ndubuisi Mbah is the pan-State candidate. He is an adopted son, not only in Igbo-Eze South but in all the LGAs of the State. Mbah embodies the yearning of Enugu people for an audacious and geometrical leap in development. And it no long matters to anyone where Mbah hails from, what matters is what he iconfies: competence and character.
My vote and the votes of every member of my family belong to Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Ifeanyi Ossai.
I count myself fortunate that this pair emerged in my lifetime, and that I am destined to bear witness to an Enugu that will re-activate the awesome glory envisioned by our founding Fathers.
God bless Enugu State!
And may God prosper and guide the Mbah/Ossai 2023 Project!
#Tomorrow is here with us.
Dr Hyginus Eze
