Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, has reacted to the Supreme Court verdict, which upheld his election in the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.
Mbah, in a statement on Friday, said distractions were over and he vowed to redouble effort in the delivery of his mandate to make Enugu State better.
The governor described the process of the judicial review of his mandate by the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court as a huge emotional journey, physical, and spiritual investment for the people of Enugu.
The apex court dismissed the appeal of the Labour Party governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, earlier in the day.
The governor, who spoke at the Government House amidst cheers, drumming, and dancing by jubilant Enugu residents, who thronged the seat of power, said it was victory for the people and a nudge to continue the development strides and pursue his vision for a greater Enugu State.
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 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.”
Mbah, however, urged the people to pray for him and his team.
“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 Promise Land of an Enugu of our dreams”, he concluded.
