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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Nsukka, the political and cultural hub of Enugu North Senatorial District, was agog on Saturday as stakeholders, supporters and well-wishers rolled out a colourful reception for Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu, the Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ugwu, an entrepreneur and community leader from Nguru community in Nsukka Local Government Area, was recently nominated by Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji (Nwakaibie), the Enugu State PDP governorship candidate, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
His return to Nsukka, which drew a cross-section of political stakeholders, residents, and members of the PDP from the area, provided an opportunity for the party’s deputy governorship candidate to interface with the people, appreciate their support, and highlight the party’s political agenda as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 elections.
The grand reception also underscored the growing political activities in the senatorial district, with party faithful and supporters using the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to the PDP and its candidates.
As early as 10:00 a.m., scores of party faithful and supporters had converged at Opi Nsukka junction, in a show of solidarity, beating drums and chanting victory songs as they eagerly awaited and received the PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate.
Ugwu, who arrived at Opi Junction shortly after 10 a.m., was received by PDP members, supporters and other party stakeholders, who turned out in large numbers to welcome him.
He subsequently embarked on a procession with the mammoth crowd of supporters, tracking from Opi Junction through the Opi-Enugu Road into Nsukka town. The procession continued from the Old Park through Total Roundabout and Odenigbo Roundabout Road, before proceeding to Barracks Junction and Nguru community.
The long motorcade and large number of supporters caused significant traffic congestion within parts of Nsukka metropolis as residents and party faithful lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the deputy governorship candidate.
As he moved through the town, Ugwu acknowledged cheers and goodwill from residents, many of whom waved at him and expressed their support and enthusiasm for his political aspiration. At every junction, he kept on telling people that Uche Nnaji’s administration would focus on industrialisation, job creation, economic relief and reducing excessive taxation.
At Nguru Community, the PDP deputy governorship candidate before proceeding to his country home paid a courtesy visit to HRH Igwe Linus Obayi, where he formally informed the monarch of his nomination as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
He received royal blessings from the traditional ruler and members of his cabinet, who expressed goodwill and support for his political journey.
Igwe Obayi commended Nnaji for picking his running mate from his community and wished them well in the general election.
Speaking with newsmen, Chief Ugwu expressed delight at the massive turnout and overwhelming support he received from the people of Nsukka, saying he was deeply humbled by the warm reception and impressive show of solidarity.
“The crowd that received me today was massive and unprecedented. I have not witnessed such a huge turnout in recent times. For me, it is a clear demonstration that I grew up here, I am deeply rooted in Nsukka, and I remain loved and accepted by my people.
“I sincerely thank my boss and our governorship candidate, Chief Uche Nnaji, for finding me worthy to serve as his running mate. I deeply appreciate the confidence and trust he has reposed in me. I will work closely with him, our party leaders, stakeholders and the entire party structure to build a formidable team, mobilise our people and ensure that the PDP goes into the forthcoming general election united and focused on delivering a strong electoral performance,” he said.
Ugwu said his nomination would bring added value to the candidacy of Uche Nnaji and further strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My coming on board will add greater value to the candidacy of Chief Uche Nnaji and our great party, the PDP. What happened today has made it crystal clear that the people are yearning for change and are eager for a new direction which my boss has already assured them he is coming to ameliorate their suffering with human oriented governance.
“Our opponents tried everything possible to disrupt our activities today, but the people stood firm. They even sent individuals who claimed to be security operatives to disrupt our peaceful movement. However, their efforts were unsuccessful, as the massive crowd that accompanied us remained resolute and peaceful.
“So, we have heard the cries and concerns of the people. They have been complaining bitterly about the burden of high taxes, poor infrastructure and the limited employment opportunities available to our teeming youths. For now, however, many of them are looking forward to the promises of Chief Nnaji, who has pledged to pursue a drastic reduction in taxes, promote industrialisation across the state and create sustainable, pensionable employment opportunities for our youths,” he said.
Also speaking in an interview, the PDP Chairman in Nsukka Local Government Area, Hon. Fortunate Ezugwu, said he was humbled by the mammoth crowd that turned out to welcome the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Ezugwu said the impressive turnout was a testament to the candidate’s acceptance and popularity among the people, adding that the reception demonstrated the enthusiasm generated by his emergence as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Speaking with newsmen, Hon. Mrs Alum Juliet, the PDP Zonal Woman Leader for Enugu North Senatorial District, commended Chief Uche Nnaji for what she described as a demonstration of leadership in choosing Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu as his running mate.
Alum said the choice of Ugwu had been positively received by the people of Nsukka, whom she described as having a strong affinity for the PDP deputy governorship candidate.
She added that Ugwu was widely loved and respected across the Nsukka political landscape, noting that many residents were eagerly looking forward to what she described as a new political direction under the PDP.
According to her, “Chief Nnaji has demonstrated capacity and leadership by choosing Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu as his running mate. His deputy is loved by the people of Nsukka beyond measure, and the people are eagerly waiting for the PDP to rescue them from their present challenges.”
Speaking, Mr Emeka Eze, PDP State Financial Secretary, described the reception accorded the party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Chief Ugwu, as organic and massive. He assured that the party would remain law-abiding throughout the electoral process, adding that it would work to ensure that the overwhelming support demonstrated for its candidates at the grassroots translates into votes at the polls.
The PDP Chairman of Nkpunano Ward, Hon. Paul Eze, expressed appreciation to Chief Uche Nnaji for choosing his running mate, Chief Chijioke Peter Ugwu, from the ward.
Eze noted that the homecoming reception provided an early opportunity for the deputy governorship candidate to commence direct engagement with stakeholders and residents in his political backyard.
