Enugu Governor-elect, Peter Mbah, Deputy, assembly members-elect receive CoR

From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return (CoR) to Enugu State Governor-elect, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Deputy Governor-elect, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai. 

The Commission also presented Certificates of return to Members -elect of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Speaking shortly after receiving the certificate of return in Enugu on Thursday, Mbah extended hands of fellowship to other contestants in the election, adding that it was time to pursue the interest and development of  Enugu State, rather than enmesh in the pursuit of political gains and cleavages.

Mbah said: “Awhile ago, I received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This certificate is not just an ordinary paper. It is a legal document which contains an unwritten pact between our administration and the good people of Enugu State.

“Today is indeed another memorable day in our journey to greatness, development and prosperity.  

“In the build up to the campaigns and electioneering process, we played politics. It was understandable and fit for the purpose of that time. For some aspirants and candidates, it was a game of survival of the fittest and elimination of the weakest. To some others, it was, fair is foul and foul is fair. Today’s handing over of the certificate of return to us should end all such atrocious politicking. It is time to move on.

“History will never forgive us if, at a time like this, when we should be pursuing the interest and development of our dear Enugu State, we are still enmeshed in the pursuit of political gains and cleavages.

“It is why I extend my hands of fellowship to all my brothers with whom I ran the race for the hearts of the Enugu electorate. While we have different political platforms to achieving the Enugu dream, we are united by our passion for the growth of our state

“Let us end the politics of acrimony and focus on how to move our state forward. Let us recognize that Enugu State is bigger than all of us. We thus must all work in her overall interest, which is development and growth.

“Since my announcement as winner of the March 18 election, I have set forth at dawn. I sleep and wake like the woman weaving the tapestry. Ideas of how to weave an Enugu State that will be the joy of all of us spin daily in my head. But, I cannot do it alone. I ask all of us to come on board and let us jointly take our dear state to its desirable and enviable place in the comity of Nigerian states,” he said 

“As I have said time and again, we are passionate about creating an environment that is conducive for peace and security to reign. We will do all within our powers to create an Enugu State that is highly prosperous and which is strategically developed.

“In doing this, we will be guided by a governance philosophy that is underpinned by transparency, accountability and traceability. We will codify a citizens’ charter that will define all our promises to Ndi Enugu. All that our people will need to do is to score us on account of this irrevocable charter. This, we will do, God willing.” 

The Enugu governor-elect also  congratulated the newly elected House of Assembly members, saying “let me use this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected House of Assembly members and the people of Enugu State. This is our collective government. It is not the government of any section of this state. 

“The massiveness of the votes from all the zones of our state points at the collectivity and joint ownership of this mandate. We will reflect this in our administration and spread the dividends of democracy to every citizen of Enugu State.

“Let me also thank all the stakeholders for your tireless efforts in ensuring the peoples’ voices were heard, the media, which creditably fulfilled their role as the 4thestate of the realm, holding all participants and stakeholders accountable from the beginning of the elections to the end.

 “Permit me to thank you all for your rapt attention and the joint labour of love for our state. It is time to do even more. Enugu State needs us more than ever before. It is time to serve her with all our strength.