From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
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Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba.
Ogba made the declaration, Saturday, while addressing his supporters at his campaign office, Abakaliki following his confirmation as the PDP gubernatorial candidate through the appeal Court judgement by setting aside the judgement of the Abakaliki Federal High Court which had earlier declared Chief Ifeanyi Odii, the party's governorship candidate.
He maintained that nobody would take away the mandate given to him by the PDP during the primary election, expressing shock over the unwavering support by the Ebonyi people following his victory at the Appeal Court.
He said: "When I came out of the plane at the airport, the crowd I saw was so intimidating, and these were Ebonyi people.
"You have made me proud, and I'm not going to disappoint you. I made a promise to you that this mandate given to me, no man born of a woman, will snatch it from me. And I will do that in the spirit of the Ebonyi people.
"I may not have money but I have grace. Please don't be deceived, because I have been in this party from day one when PDP was formed - August 1988, at Chalten Hotels Abuja till today, and I'm still in PDP."
He continued: "Some of these people standing against my mandate, I gave them the PDP membership card, while some of them, had no membership card until we started contesting this election. I always say that the court doesn't belong to one person - Court belongs to all of us, and they said, it's the only hope of a common man.
"By the special grace of God, anywhere they go to court, and if they call me I will answer them, but I know in the end, the court decision will be final. The one they went to, has favoured me. If they go back, that one will still favour me.
"Don't fear, believe in God, and remember that social media is not the PDP. By the time we shall come to social media, they will disappear. I'm here to thank all of you, who have stood behind me and others.
"We are many in Ebonyi PDP, who have been having serious fights, including candidates, and all we need is your prayers. I want to assure you that your prayers will take us to the promised land because, God knows why we are contesting, and what we have in mind to give to the Ebonyi people."
He further urged his supporters not to panic, pointing out that "there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
The Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa and the PDP Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi Central, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu said that with the Appeal Court decision, the roads were clear for a PDP victory in the state in 2023.
The duo and other speakers at the event described Ebonyi as a PDP state stressing that it is time to reclaim the party.
Recall that the event was honoured by 12 out of the 13 PDP local government chairmen, alongside other state executive members and teeming supporters of the party.
The PDP Chairman Ezza North, Barr Friday Agbom while speaking on behalf of his colleagues said "the Ebonyi people have demonstrated that Ebonyians are for PDP and PDP is for Ebonyi State."
According to Agbom, "we are taking over power come 2023 by the special grace of God. That's why my colleagues, the 12 local government chairmen of the PDP in Ebonyi State, have concluded that we cannot by any means, throw away our votes, to the wanderers. We will give our votes to the incoming governor of our dear state, Senator Obinna Ogba.
"I want to tell your Excellency, that our people across the 13 local government areas are happy that you were elected to fly the flag of the PDP as our gubernatorial candidate.
"You can see smiles on the faces of the people gathered here. On the day of the election before noon, you have won the election."
