The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has reacted to the outcome of the Enugu State governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
This is coming as the key opposition political parties in the Coal City State have all rejected the declaration of Barr. Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the election.
They have all indicated intention to challenge the outcome of the polls before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
However, in a statement by the Ohanaeze Youths National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he urged the aggrieved parties to jettison the idea of challenging Mbah’s victory in court.
Okwu said Mbah, having extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, they should accept it in the interest of the entire State.
He said, “we are gladdened that the people of Enugu State gave their mandate to Barr. Peter Mbah, just as we pleaded with them when we gave him our endorsement.
“Now that Mbah has emerged as winner of the election, the time of politicking is over; only one person will be declared winner, but in the real sense of it, everyone won. It is a victory for everyone, including those who contested against him.
“We, therefore, appeal to all the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords and join the governor-elect to move Enugu State forward. The period of litigation always comes with so many distractions and this may not augur well for the State.”
The Ohanaeze youths then called on Mbah to make real his olive branch to the opposition parties.
“We urge the governor-elect to work his talk by embracing the other candidates genuinely and making them part of his government,” Okwu advised.