Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has lauded the decision of the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which dismissed the petitions of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Labour Party (LP) candidates challenging his victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship election, describing the decision as victory for democracy and the people of Enugu State.
Dr. Mbah also extended hands of fellowship to the opposition candidates and their political parties, saying the task to build Enugu remained a collective one, and that he was committed to working with all, irrespective of political leanings.
The Tribunal chaired by Justice Kudirat Akano, had earlier in the day dismissed the petitions of the governorship candidate of the PRP, Chris Agu, and the candidate of the LP, Chijioke Edeoga.
Addressing the state, at the Government House, Enugu, Mbah said: “This is another memorable day in the annals of our dear state, as the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirmed the mandate, which you freely gave to us on 18th of March this year.
“This is victory for Ndi Enugu. It is also victory for democracy.
“It is a victory for massive development for Ndi Enugu. It is a victory for exponential growth for Ndi Enugu. It is a victory for Enugu’s greatness. It is a victory a victory for the ban on Monday sit-at-home. It is also victory for our determination to restore water in all your homes in the next 68 days”.
While thanking God for making the victory possible, Dr. Mbah also commended the tribunal for painstakingly dissecting the petitions and “for coming out with fair and just decision that resonates with Ndi Enugu”.
“The verdict has further strengthened our confidence in the judiciary as the temple of justice and the last hope of the common man”.
Extending hands of fellowship to his opponents, Mbah said: “There is time for everything under the sun. There is time to strive and time to unite. We all put ourselves forward to serve Ndi Enugu. The people have spoken, and the Tribunal has also affirmed. If service was the motivation, then it is time to rise above partisanship and come together because there is so much work to be done.
“Our arms are wide open and I beckon on my brothers, who ran this race with us, to join us in the onerous task of building a new Enugu State of our dreams.
“In the same vein, I enjoin all our supporters to be magnanimous in victory. Politics is over. Governance began on 29th May when we were inaugurated. It is time to unite”.
Governor Mbah, who reiterated his resolve to deliver on his campaign promises, further stressed that the tribunal’s decision was an elixir to do more, and urged the people to hold him to account on those promises.
“Once more, I immensely thank the good people of Enugu State, who not only believed in us, but also vested their mandate in us. Above all also above, they have stood by us every step of the way.
“I want to assure them that I will work for them with every fibre of my being. I stand by every campaign promise I made as espoused in our Statement of Purpose. I also stand by the Citizens Charter that I executed on my first day in office. The Enugu people should hold me to account. I will not let them down”, he concluded.
*GOVERNOR PETER MBAH'S VICTORY SPEECH FOLLOWING THE TRIBUNAL VERDICT*
*Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the Lion Building, Government House, Enugu*
As you all know, today is indeed a memorable day in the annals of our state. The Enugu State Election Petition Tribunal has just affirmed the mandate you, Ndi Enugu, freely gave us on the 18th of March, this year. This is indeed a victory for Ndi Enugu. It is also a victory for democracy. It is a victory for massive development for Ndi Enugu. It is a victory for exponential growth for Ndi Enugu. It is a victory for Enugu's greatness and the ban on Monday sit-at-home. Finally, it is also a victory for our determination to restore water in all your homes in the next 68 days.
We are thankful to God because we know it would not have been possible without Him. We also want to put on record, our deep appreciation to their Lordships for painstakingly dissecting the petition brought before them and coming out with a judgement that resonates with the people of Enugu State. A judgement that is fair and just. Indeed, this has reaffirmed our belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
There is time for everything under the sun. A time to strive and a time to unite. Indeed, politics is over. We have begun governance since May 29. We beckon on our brothers we ran this race with, to join hands with us to deal with the task ahead, the task of building the Enugu of our dreams. Our arms are open and wide.
We urge our supporters to join hands with us to build the Enugu of our dreams. At the end of the day, Enugu is greater than all of us. We have put ourselves forward to serve Ndi Enugu. Let us all put hands together to face the onerous task ahead, which is building the Enugu State of our dreams.
Once more, I want to thank the good people of Enugu State, who not only believed in us, but vested their mandate in us. And above all stood by us in every step of the way. I want to assure you that we will work for you with every fibre of our being. I stand by the campaign promise I made as espoused in our Statement of Purpose. I also stand by the Citizen Charter that I executed on my first day in office. Ndi Enugu should hold me to account. I will not let them down.
May God bless Enugu State!
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
