Leaders from Enugu West senatorial district in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared support for their members in Enugu East to produce the next state governor.

At a solidarity rally on Saturday tagged “Ife Emelu mma”, held at Awgu Local Government Area Secretariat, the leaders said based on the zoning policy party leaders agreed to in 2013, it was the turn of Enugu East to produce the gubernatorial candidate in 2023.

Ben Ndu, chairman of the rally’s central organising committee, disclosed that the people of Enugu West were 100 per cent in support of the party’s zoning policy.

Mr Ndu maintained that the zone firmly stood by the decision of the state caucus of the PDP in 2013 that rotated the governorship position among the three senatorial zones.

He stated that the motion for rotation by the party was moved by Dubem Onyia at a meeting on July 7, 2013, seconded by him.

He said the meeting was attended by then state chairman of the PDP, Vita Abba, erstwhile governor of the state, Sullivan Chime, then-Senate deputy president Ike Ekweremadu, and then speaker of the State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo.

Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi attended the rally. Addressing the rally, Mr Ugwuanyi said it was significant that the people of Enugu West Senatorial District have willfully communicated their position without being goaded.

“I assure you that we shall strive to sustain whatever has kept our state peaceful, united and on the path of development. In doing so, we shall consult, be just and equitable,” Mr Ugwuanyi said.