- He affirmed his commitment to intensify efforts towards fulfilling his mandate for the betterment of the state
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has lauded the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold his victory in the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election.
Expressing his gratitude for the judgment, Mbah emphasized that the period of distractions had concluded.
He affirmed his commitment to intensify efforts towards fulfilling his mandate for the betterment of the state.
Describing the judicial review process—from the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court—as an emotional, physical, and spiritual investment for the people of Enugu, Mbah extended his heartfelt appreciation to the populace for their unwavering support throughout. He assured them of his determination not to let them down.
He conveyed these sentiments in Enugu on Friday following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal filed by the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, earlier that day in Abuja.
He said, “A few minutes 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 in the end, your mandate was upheld. The appellate court sitting 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 in 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 stick with us as we drill down into all those electoral promises.”