2023: Jubilation in Nsukka as Utazi Stands Down Senate Bid for Ugwuanyi

Enugu North Senatorial District, yesterday, witnessed wild jubilation as its senator, Chukwuka Utazi, formally announced his decision not to contest again in 2023, to pave the way for the smooth and peaceful emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as a member of the 10th National Assembly.
Utazi, who made the announcement while addressing delegates of the PDP and other stakeholders of the party, said he did not purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the party for the Senatorial seat to give Ugwuanyi, whom he described as “our leader and brother”, maximum support.
The federal lawmaker added amid jubilation that the decision was also to promote the existing peace in the district in particular and Enugu State in general.
“We will follow our brother and leader; we are going to be behind you; and pray that God will guide you to take these decisions. We are here to give you reassurance that it is ordained by God that you do the things you are supposed to do.
“We are here to also reassure that you have our backing. Our case is not just political. The followership and backing are also spiritual. And you have our spiritual backing too. We are going to continue this support at the voting level during the general elections,” Senator Utazi said.
Earlier, while addressing PDP faithful comprising members of the National and State Assemblies from Enugu North Senatorial District, the six Council Chairmen, members of the State EXCO from the zone and all the principal officers of the PDP at the Local Government and ward levels, the Zonal Chairman (Enugu North Senatorial District), Rt. Hon. Nze Michael Onyeze, disclosed that the essence of the meeting, which was attended by Ugwuanyi, was to appreciate the governor for his remarkable achievements in Enugu North Senatorial District in particular and the state in general in spite of the nation’s economic challenges and the state’s limited resources.
“Your Excellency, you have done so well and we are proud of you. Our votes will not miss, even one vote. We will give you 100 per cent support in respect of your choice of successor and other elective positions,” he said.
The member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Dr. Pat Asadu; the member representing Nsukka East Constituency, Hon. Chinedu Nwamba and the Chairman of Udenu LGA and State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Solomon Onah, on behalf of their colleagues from the zone, respectively, unanimously endorsed the stance of the party, reassuring the governor that they were resolute in their support and loyalty.

Corroborating the move, the PDP LG Chairmen in the six LGAs of Enugu North Senatorial District, the Party LG Vice Chairmen, the LG Secretaries, the LG Youth Leaders, the LG Woman Leader, the PDP Ward Chairmen from the zone, the Ward Vice Chairmen, Ward Secretaries, Ward Youth Leaders and Ward Women Leaders, also unanimously declared their maximum support and loyalty to Ugwuanyi.

The two former State Chairmen of the PDP from Enugu North Senatorial District, Engr. Vita Abba and Chief Ikeje Asogwa witnessed the event.