Eid al-Adha: You’ll be part of my government, Peter Mbah assures Muslims in Enugu

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, says he will run an administration that embraces diversity by including Christians and Muslims in his cabinet.

The governor spoke on Wednesday while felicitating Muslims in the state on the occasion of the Eid al-Adh.

Mbah described the south-east state as a foremost cosmopolitan place that accommodates people of diverse religions.

“You are an integral part of us. When you are celebrating, we are celebrating, and when you are in pain, we are also in pain because, in Enugu state, we are one people,” Mbah said.

“You will see in Enugu people from the north, west, middle belt, and the Niger Delta that the umbilical cords of their great grandparents were buried in our soil.

“So, as we are getting ready to constitute our government, you can be sure that you are all going to feel a sense of belonging and being part of this government.”

The governor commended Muslims and people of other ethnicities living in the state for supporting government efforts in the war against insecurity.

While promising to ensure that there are basic social amenities for people, including the immediate renovation of schools at the Islamic centre in Enugu, Mbah said residents would experience constant water supply in 150 days.

“We are mindful of all our campaign promises. They are hung by bedposts like an almanac. So, I am reminded of them every day I wake up,” he said.

“We are aware that we have just about 150 days left for water to flow in your homes; and by the grace of God, we will not fail you.

“Those promises we made to clean up Enugu, I am sure you can see that Enugu state is becoming cleaner again. You are going to have light everywhere.

“We are working on all that. We are tackling the security challenges frontally. Everything we have said to you during the campaigns, we stand by it.”

In his remarks, Haruna Suleiman, a Muslim leader in Enugu, expressed gratitude to the governor for taking measures to reform the state.

“We were born here, our investments are here, and we will be buried here because Enugu state is our home,” he said.

“Again, we have never heard or seen anything like shooting or killing since you assumed your seat in Enugu. The tension has come down because of the way you have been managing security.” 

Also speaking, Yusuf Sambo, an Islamic leader, described Enugu as a gateway, stressing that the efforts to end Monday’s sit-at-home was already yielding economic results beyond the state.

“I want to tell you that you did not only unlock the economy of Enugu state, but you also unlocked the economy of the northern community, as our brothers, who are traders can now move their goods from the northern parts of Nigeria to the southern part,” he said.