Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has lauded the conduct of the Enugu Local Government Council election, describing it as a demonstration of democracy in action.
The governor made this statement after casting his vote at Owo Ward in Nkanu East Local Government Area during the local government elections held on Saturday.
Speaking to journalists, Governor Mbah expressed satisfaction with both the electoral process and the massive voter turnout across the state.
He highlighted that this marked a significant milestone, as it was the first local government election under his administration.
“This is a major milestone for us, conducting the first local government elections under this administration across the state.
I have received reports on the situation across Enugu State, and I am pleased to report that the exercise has been peaceful. There have been no adverse reports,” Mbah stated.
He added that polling units across the state opened on time, allowing voters to exercise their franchise.
“People are queuing peacefully to vote. This is democracy in action. It’s a demonstration that power truly belongs to the people,” the governor said.
Governor Mbah emphasised the importance of the local government tier, calling it a critical arm of government that must retain its autonomy.
He noted that local governments are essential in delivering programmes and projects that empower grassroots communities.
He referenced the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming local government autonomy, noting that his administration has always treated local governments as autonomous bodies, supported financially to execute infrastructural projects across the state’s 260 wards.
“Enugu’s local governments have never operated as appendages of the state. We have always supported them with financial backing to ensure they deliver on their promises.
Our mandate is to lift the people out of poverty and grow the state’s economy. To do that, we must strengthen the local governments,” he said.
The governor also praised the high voter turnout, attributing it to growing political awareness among the electorate.
According to him, the large numbers of people coming out to vote reflect their understanding of the importance of government policies in their daily lives.
“This turnout shows that people now understand that government policies affect their lives directly.
If they sit on the fence, a government may come that does not meet their expectations. Increased awareness is driving more people to the polls, and that’s what we’re seeing today,” Mbah concluded.
The peaceful conduct of the election and the governor’s remarks suggest a strong commitment to deepening democracy and ensuring that local governments play a key role in the development of Enugu State.
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