Mbah reacts to S’Court ruling affirming his victory

 …Says It’s time to redouble our efforts

From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

The Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah, has praised the ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed his election, saying it was an affirmation of the sacred will of the people of Enugu State.

Mbah who noted that the legal journey had been a huge emotional, physical and spiritual investment for the people of Enugu, assured that now that the distractions were over, he would redouble his efforts in serving the people.

“We are by this judgement recommitting ourselves to the sacred pact between us. The social contract which we both signed on May 29, 2023,” he said.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria had on Friday, December 22, 2023, affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, which had declared Mbah as the legitimately elected Governor of Enugu State.

The Governorship tribunal had also affirmed the victory of Mr Mbah, but dissatisfied by the ruling the Labour Party Governorship candidate Chijioke Edoga appealed the judgement.

Mbah’s speech reads: “My dear people of Enugu State. A while ago, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, delivered the final judgement on the last tranche of appeals against the mandate you freely gave us on March 18, 2023. 

“We thank God that the learned justices affirmed your sacred will. We wish to express our profound gratitude to the learned justices for keeping the wheel of justice rolling. We specifically thank them for upholding your mandate.

“This judicial journey has been a huge emotional, physical and spiritual investment for you the people of Enugu. First, our case was heard and examined during an exhaustive process at the Enugu State Election Petitions Tribunal and at the end your mandate was upheld. 

“The appellate court seating in Lagos again upheld the previous decision via a unanimous decision. Today the Supreme Court has again upheld this victory for the people of Enugu State.

“Ndi Enugu, you are the victors of this judicial journey. I salute your dogged belief in us. Your unalloyed support and prayers at every attempt to subvert your mandate, can never be lost on us. We do not take them for granted.

“Now that these distractions are over, it is time to redouble our efforts to serve you. We will double down on our earlier resolve to serve you with every fibre of our being. The reward of your resolute support will come in our rededication to do things that have to do with the ordinary people of Enugu State. We will give more attention to your welfare, development and good living.

“Let me reaffirm that you haven’t seen anything yet. We are by this judgement recommitting ourselves to the sacred pact between us. The social contract which we both signed on May 29, 2023.

“This judicial affirmation is a nudge to continue to provide water in every nook and cranny of Enugu State; to build smart schools in all the wards of our state; to sustain the provision of security; to provide massive infrastructure and roads development; to build a new set of leaders of tomorrow who will face the global challenges headlong.

“Let me use this opportunity to reassure you that all our campaign promises will be fulfilled to the letter. Hold us to account. Hold your pens firmly and tick with us as we drill down into all those electoral promises.

“As we celebrate this affirmation of your electoral mandate, please continue to spare moments of prayers for us. Beseech God on our behalf for an ultimately greater Enugu State. With your prayers and support we will get to the Promised Land of an Enugu of our dreams.

“Tomorrow is indeed here. Thank you and God bless you all.”