Former Deputy State Chairman, All Progressive Congress, APC Enugu State, Prince Gilbert Chikwado Chukwunta ( Ezeomeogo1) was the centre of attraction at a zonal rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Awgu on Saturday.
The well attended rally provided the opportunity for the formal endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governoship candidate Dr. Peter Mbah, as well as other candidates of the PDP ahead the 2023 elections in the State.
But the high point of the event, was the formal presentation of the defecting 2000 APC members woed by Prince Chukwunta to dump the APC and join the PDP.
The former Deputy gubernatorial candidate of the APC in 2019 General Elections, took centre stage to present the over 2000 defectors who dumped their brooms for the umbrella.
Chukwunta, who was a former Acting Chairman, APC, Enugu State, and his crowd were formally received by the Enugu State party leadership led by Chief Augustine Nnamani.
The mass defection has been described as a major breakthrough and boost for the PDP in Enugu State and Enugu West zone in particular, ahead the 2023 general election.
There were jubilations, excitement and commendations for the leadership ability of Prince Chukwunta which enabled him to woo such number of APC members in the landmark defection.
Speaking at the occasion the PDP guber candidate Dr. Peter Mbah said there was no need for soothsayers to predict the likely outcome of the forthcoming polls, stressing that the presence of leaders, stakeholders, party faithful and the entire electorate foretold victory for the ruling party.
He said the massive defection which was witnessed and endorsement of his candidacy was already sending jitters in the camps of the opposition parties even as he expressed confidence of landslide victory.
“With this massive endorsement, defeat is already staring at the opposition,” he added.
While commending Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for ensuring equity and justice in the primaries, Dr. Mbah assured the zone of his resolve to reward them with the dividends of democracy over their loyalty and uncommon gesture.
“We will reciprocate your support with massive infrastructure, and we are going to be guided by the principle of equity, fairness and justice which was started by the Governor Ugwuanyi’s government,” he said.
Mbah promised to make the state the preferred destination for investment and tourism, while sustaining peace and security.
He enjoined the electorate to replicate their support to him and other PDP candidates at the polls by coming out en masse and voting for the party.
Responding to the cheering crowd, Governor Ugwuanyi extended his appreciation to the people for the support and commitment to his administration over the past years.
He called for a solemn prayer for the quick release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who is presently facing trial in the United Kingdom, praying that God would vindicate him.
The governor further recalled that a rally was convened on the 17th of August, 2021 at the same venue where the people reiterated their position upholding zoning, equity and justice.
According to him, 18 months later, they reconvened in their large numbers to endorse the outcome of that decision, and appreciated them for holding unto that sense of justice through their solidarity and endorsement of the gubernatorial standard bearer.
He assured that electing Dr. Mbah as his successor would ensure laudable consolidation of the good governance which his administration had brought to the state while also encouraging them to vote for all the candidates of the PDP in the February 25 and March 11 elections.
