The All Progressives Congress, or APC, candidates for the 2023 House of Assembly in Enugu State have stated their willingness to accept Governor Peter Mbah into the party ahead of the general elections in 2027.
They said they had had enough of participating in opposition politics within the state.
Governor Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was pushed by the contestants to join the ruling APC.
Speaking to reporters on Monday in Enugu on behalf of the Forum of APC ‘2023 House of Assembly candidates’, the group pointed out that playing opposition in the state had done more harm than good to them.
They announced their stance just 48 hours after some APC stakeholders in the state, operating under the Progressive Group banner and headed by Dr. Ben Nwoye, the APC’s immediate former state chairman, endorsed Peter Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their consensus candidates in advance of the general elections in 2027.
During the press event, Barrister Godwin Onwusi, the Forum’s Coordinator and a candidate for the Udi North state constituency, spoke on behalf of other candidates.
He revealed that they had previously sent the governor a letter asking him to join the APC in order to improve the state.
The 11 candidates drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, in their statement read to journalists by the coordinator, averred that having watched the governor for just a little over two years, since he assumed office as the Governor of Enugu State, they came to the conclusion that his visionary leadership and development-oriented polices aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
In addition to giving the APC the strength it needs to win the Enugu State election, they expressed hope that his joining the party will improve Enugu State’s relations with the federal government and bring with it other advantages.
“With all humility and respect, we the undersigned APC, Enugu State, House of Assembly candidates during the 2023 general elections hereby passionately plead/appeal to you to favourably consider joining our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Having watched you for just a little over two years, since you assumed office as the Governor of Enugu State, we have concluded that your visionary leadership and development oriented polices are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ndi Enugu’s faith that the government can, in fact, serve the people has been restored by the significant and unparalleled developmental advancements you have brought to Enugu State in less than two years.
“Your Excellency, we have no doubt that your entrance into the APC will not only give it the strength it requires to win election in Enugu State but also make Enugu State more friendly with the Federal Government, with its attendant benefits.
“We look forward, Your Excellency, to happily receive you. Please take note, Your Excellency, that the undersigned are not the only ones, amongst us, eagerly waiting to receive you, but those available at the time of writing this letter.”
