By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has emerged the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nnaji, who resigned from the government of President Bola Tinubu several months ago, polled 7,424 votes to defeat Mr Samson Nnamani, who polled 600 votes in a governorship primary conducted by the Chairman of the State gubernatorial committee, Mr Austin Nwachukwu, in Enugu.
In his acceptance speech, the former Minister thanked party members for entrusting him with the mandate, and promised not to take it for granted.
He pledged that his proposed administration would lessen the suffering of Enugu State residents by ensuring that they are not overburdened under the guise of tax collection, explaining that easing such yoke would give them a sense of belonging.
“I give this victory to the glory of God and to our Enugu people, who have been oppressed in the last three years and have been overburdened with excessive obnoxious taxes.
“Landlords are paying through their nose, hoteliers are crying, commercial motorcyclists ( okada riders) are out of existence, even those people carrying water on their heads pay tax.
“These are the people that we should be giving money to. Government should make provision to pay money to the less-privileged.
“And that is the fulcrum of this struggle.
“The struggle to recover Enugu State, the struggle to rebuild Enugu State and the struggle to industrialise Enugu State, so that we will arrest youth restiveness.
“We will build industries to give our people jobs. Jim Nwobodo is the only governor in this state that built industries and those industries are what our governor is appropriating to himself.
“That will not happen in Enugu State,” Nnaji hinted.
The former Minister reiterated his intention to improve the living conditions of Enugu residents within four years, stressing that he would spend only one term in office as governor, if elected.
Earlier, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Nwachukwu, commended the party faithful for conducting themselves in orderly manner before, during and after the primary election.
Nwachukwu stressed that the result was proof that PDP is not only waxing strong but positioned to win elections in Enugu State come 2027.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Chief Nnaji (in red cap) being acknowledged as winner of the primary after release of results.
