Before the October 2024 local council election in Enugu State, the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) picked who will run for the party in 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The party had also chosen candidates for 260 smaller areas called wards on Monday.
The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, said “congrats” to the winners and praised everyone for being peaceful during the voting.
Wednesday’s event had a lot of people from the party attending. The final candidates won big because everyone had talked things over beforehand. People who didn’t win told their supporters to vote for the winners.
However, only two past council chairmen became the party’s candidates for the upcoming election. These were Hon. Okechukwu Edeh from Nkanu East LGA and Hon. Obiora Obeagu from Isi-Uzo LGA.
During the voting at Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Okechukwu got all 42 votes from the 42 delegates. In Ikem, Isi-Uzo LGA, Hon. Obeagu got all 33 votes from the 33 delegates.
Other winners were: 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).
Hyginus Agu (Udi), Michael Ogala (Igboeze North), Ferdinand Ukwueze (Igboeze South), Aka Eze Aka (Udenu), Eric Odo (Igbo Etiti), and Chijioke Ezugwu (Uzo Uwani) also won in their areas.
When speaking to their supporters, Okechukwu Edeh and Obiora Obeagu thanked everyone for trusting them and promised to support the governor’s work in rural areas if they win in October.
Okechukwu Edeh said, “When you get a lot, a lot is expected. Let’s work hard to win. Paul Okwor and I are ready to serve our people in Nkanu East.”
Governor Peter Mbah shared his happiness about how peaceful, fair, and good the voting was. He said, “This is what our party is known for. Our people made the best choices. Our candidates can help with our big plans for local development.”
Other leaders like Hon. Okey Mbah, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Hon. Patrick Okoh, Prince Arinze Arum, Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, and Prince Ifeanyi Onuora all praised the voting in Nkanu East, showing confidence that the PDP will win the elections because of the strong candidates and the good work by the governor.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, who watched the voting at Amagunze in Nkanu East, called it “credible, free, and just.” He said ENSIEC wants to make sure everything is fair for all political parties.