2023: Sen. Utazi Steps Down For Gov. Ugwuanyi

There was jubilation in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, on Sunday, as the Senator representing the district in the National Assembly, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, formally announced his decision not to contest the senatorial seat in the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and the general elections.

This is to pave way for the smooth emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as the Senator of the Senatorial district in the 10th National Assembly.

Senator Utazi who made the announcement while addressing the delegates of the PDP from Enugu North Senatorial District 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 Governor Ugwuanyi, who he described as ‘our leader and brother’, maximum support.

The federal lawmaker said that the decision was also to promote the existing peace in Enugu North Senatorial district in particular and Enugu State in general.

Senator Utazi reassured Governor Ugwuanyi that the PDP family in Enugu North Senatorial District and the entire people of the district are behind him and his political decisions in respect of choice of candidates during the forthcoming party primaries.

“We will follow our brother and leader; we are going to be behind you; and pray that God will guide 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,” Utazi said.

Also, the State Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Innocent Ezeoha, commended Senator Utazi for his sportsmanship and sacrifice in declaring his support for the governor’s senatorial bid.

“Senator Utazi, it will be well with you for making this sacrifice,” Ezeoha said.

Earlier, while addressing the PDP faithful, the Zonal Chairman, Enugu North Senatorial District, Hon. Nze Michael Onyeze, said that the essence of the meeting, which was attended by Governor Ugwuanyi, was to appreciate the governor for his 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.

Hon. Onyeze noted that the appreciation was due to the outcome of the assessment tour of infrastructural projects executed by the governor, including completed and ongoing landmark projects.

He said, “No government has done what your (Ugwuanyi’s) government has done in the rural areas.”

The PDP Zonal Chairman stated that the meeting was equally for the party delegates from Enugu North Senatorial District to renew their stance and reassure Governor Ugwuanyi of their total support for his choice of party candidates for the State House of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential seats.

Also speaking, the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Hon. 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 of their support and loyalty.

Hon. Martins Oke, representing Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency and his Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu counterpart, Hon. Simon Atigwe; two former state chairmen of the PDP from Enugu North Senatorial District, Engr. Vita Abba and Chief Ikeje Asogwa, among others were also at the meeting.