Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has
finally ended his ambition to become the Governor of Enugu State in 2023.
This brings to an end speculations after he withdrew from
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election in the State.
There have reports of the federal lawmaker making moves to
the All Progressives Congress, APC, in order to actualize his ambiton.
But on Thursday, Ekweremady issued a personal statement
where he congratulated the winer of the PDP guber primary, Mr. Peter Mbah.
He went ahead to announce that he has quit the governorship
race.
The full statement below:
TIME TO UNITE
Ndi Enugu,
In the last two years, we set out to run for the
governorship of Enugu State. Our mission was to change the narrative in the
governance of our state and possibly inspire other states in the delivery of
impressive governance. Our hope was that this would lead to a total
recalibration of governance in Nigeria with Enugu State as a starting point and
model.
Within the period, we set up a platform with a grassroots
base. We named it Oganiru Ndi Enugu. It was duly registered. We received 77
support groups, which showed uncommon support to our mission.
To show our seriousness, we developed and presented our
manifesto entitled “My Agenda for Enugu State: A Pathway to a New Enugu State”.
We were prepared to deliver good governance that would see
to the prompt payment of salaries and retirement benefits to our senior
citizens. We pledged to build not just roads, but also super highways that
would connect our borders with other states and a ring road that would connect
our local government areas.
We were set to deliver water and electricity to our cities
and communities as well as impeccable environmental cleanliness.
We said that we would change the face of tourism with annual
festival that would attract the world as well as institutions and facilities
that would host conferences and events.
We promised new Special Cities that would deliver modern
agriculture, healthcare, entertainment, ICT, automobile, and sports.
We were determined to provide jobs to our people to keep
them from the temptation to commit crime and enhance their wellbeing as well as
secure their future and the future of their children. Our solution was to build
at least two industries in each of our local governments in four years. Our
economy would have changed forever.
We had plans to secure our state using digital technology
and a well-equipped Security and Public Safety Coordination Centre with
adequate manpower. We committed to setting up an efficient state-funded
security outfit and an Enugu State Identity Database to help fight crime.
We were ready to deliver world-class education to our
people. We promised to run a 24-hour governance that would enhance service
delivery. We were prepared to make Enugu people proud again.
Unfortunately, as we were doing these, some of our
compatriots were busy conspiring and planting landmines to frustrate our rescue
and transformation mission. We have witnessed betrayals and high level of
ingratitude on this journey. Yet we remained focused.
I think we have fought a good fight to redefine governance
in our dear state. It is time to review this journey and take a well-considered
decision for the unity of our state. We have succeeded in opening the political
space for greater participation. We have raised the consciousness of our people
and opened their eyes to positive possibilities. Although these possibilities
are today dimmed by fraudulent political practices, the light will never go out
and we hope to rekindle the light in mentoring our youth in good governance,
responsible political participation, and finest practice of democracy.
My dear friends, associates, and well-wishers, I know you
have been waiting to hear from me. You have expressed to me individually and
collectively your readiness to take a long journey with me to actualise our
vision by whatever platform. I have deeply reflected on it all with a good
sense of history, including my political history, and the need for the unity
and peace of our state. No sacrifice will be too much. Therefore, I have come
to a decision. Please, bear with me if my decision does not meet your expectations.
I call for your understanding.
May I respectfully express my deep gratitude to our
formidable campaign team, the Ikeoha Campaign Organisation; our irrepressible
media team; our diehard supporters; those who have encouraged us financially
and logistically; our security team; the youth of Enugu State; my ever
supportive family; the Church and religious groups; the PDP executives at
various levels in Enugu State, especially our wonderful statutory delegates,
who unfortunately could not vote eventually; our traditional rulers; women
organisations and other corporate organisations; Ndi Enugu in diaspora; and my
numerous friends, admirers, and well-wishers within and outside Nigeria; and
others too numerous to mention, for standing by us all this time.
As long as I live, I promise to stand by you collectively
and individually in appreciation. I am pained by the experience of our people,
who were injured in the series of senseless attacks on our disciples in the
course of this journey as well as many being persecuted, some of whom are still
facing sham trials and some in detention for offences they did not commit.
Their only offence was their support for Ike Ekweremadu.
Therefore:
1. After consulting widely with the elders of our party as
well as well meaning friends and respected elders across the country and
beyond;
2. After a long and painstaking introspection on our
contributions to the development of the PDP;
3. After considering the current security situation in the
South East region and the need not to put anybody in harms way by a foreseeable
combustive political environment, as my ambition is not worth the life of any
Enugu son or daughter;
4. After considering that the things that hold us together
as Ndi Enugu will ultimately outlive the treacheries of the moment;
5. After receiving assurances from the gubernatorial
candidate of our party, Barr. Peter Mba, that he would integrate our “Pathway
to a New Enugu State” in his programme and his assurances of the participation
of everybody in his campaign team and government;
I, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, hereby formally withdraw from the
2023 gubernatorial contest in Enugu State. I congratulate Barr. Peter Mba and
wish him success.
It is time to unite.
SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU, PHD, CFR
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