On assumption of office in May 29th 2015, the Executive Governor of Enugu state, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, practically handed over the affairs of the state to the almighty God. This to him, was based on the foundational belief and bible teaching that whatever someone hands over to God to take care was far safer than being in the hands of men who are mere mortals.
Ugwuanyi knowing that he was faced with too many challenges ranging from dwindling income to the state, security, political crisis, provision of quality infrastructure across the state among others, humbly resorted to the God to help him administer the affairs of the state as nothing was impossible in the sight of God.
So far, there is no gain saying that this disposition of the governor has tremendously been fruitful in all aspects of leadership across the state. The most prominent of the governor’s achievement in the state is entrenching ‘Peace and Stability’ in every parts of the state which is today the hallmark of all the affairs of the state.
The Governor places peace ahead of whatever agenda on his table to the extent that even the opposition political parties in some cases have more access to him than even members of his party all because he wants to create a sense of respect and justice. This humane attitude of the Governor has today killed the spirit of aggressiveness and politics of bitterness and acrimony.
The peaceful and all-inclusiveness of the opposition political parties in the affairs of the state has made all and sundry to be currently faced with the opinion that it would be better for them to have Ugwuanyi re-elected as occupant of the Lion Building till 2023 than handing over of the state to someone they don’t know his style of operation.
According to Albert Einstein, peace is not only an absence of war, but it means or includes the presence of justice, law, order or government in the society as he said ―Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of government. In his view also, Martin Luther King, Jr., a famous human rights activist says peace must include justice in society too ―True peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of justice.
The above assertions and views are the watchword of Governor Ugwuanyi in his leadership of the state as to him there was nothing like discrimination, unjust treatment which could create a turbulence state. He believes everybody in the state had the right to get democracy dividend from his government in spite of political affiliation. He even appointed members of opposition parties in to his government which has never been experienced in the politics of the state.
This attitude of the governor towards a peaceful state went on to create an in rood in the hearts of all political gladiators across political divides who were hitherto exiled or retired from the politics of the state because of their divergent political views with previous administrations in the state. Governor Ugwuanyi not only opened his doors but attends functions and programmes of opposition political gladiators in the state thereby giving them a true sense of belonging. Some school of thoughts have it that the opposition political parties are fielding Gubernatorial candidates of their various parties to fulfil all righteousness as they were very comfortable with Ugwuanyi as governor till 2013.
Within the Peoples Democratic Party family in the state, Governor Ugwuanyi has resurrected and revived stakeholders that were confined in political dustbin of the state. Majority of them were appointed into different political positions in the state. He practically ensures that everybody has equal right in his government unlike what was the case before when if you are not in the good books of some political stakeholders you are out-rightly blackmailed and distanced from the political activities of the state.
This development has since seen to the return of so many political gladiators including Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who calls the shot in their various political wards, local governments and the state at large, thereby making the Governor more rooted and accepted politically across the state leading to a litany of endorsements from communities, groups, associations, institutions etc in spite of their political differences.
In their different remarks about the governor’s style of leadership at various occasions, the clergy, traditionally, leaders of thought, and political stakeholders within and outside the state have not failed to express their sense of satisfaction with the way and manner at which the Governor runs the affairs of the state. To them Governor Ugwuanyi was destined to pilot the affairs of the state at this point in time and deserved to be given the support taking into consideration his leadership achievements that has turned the state which used to experience a lot of insecurity, political tensions and crisis among the titans in politics of the state into a safe haven for investments and industrial sites.
The clergy community have been in the lead of those pouring encomium on the governor as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi, during his visit to Enugu for an evangelical duty, hailed Gov. Ugwuanyi for “his closeness to God and exemplary leadership style, which has brought peace and good governance to the state. You are a good governor and a father to all, who has “faithfully served the church” and residents of the state, irrespective of religion, state of origin and ethnicity.
In the same vein, the Anglican Communion, through the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma has at various said that there was no alternative to Gov. Ugwuanyi in the 2019 general election adding that his commitment to peace and good governance as well as the development of the Church and love for the poor masses was unequalled.
Archbishop Chukwuma during the recent visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Enugu for the 30th National Biennial Conference of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria (SCMN), described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a non-discriminating politician who respects elders, the youth and also maintains cordial relationship with leaders of other political parties adding that “there is no vacancy in Enugu Government House”.
Similarly, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, had earlier declared that there was no vacancy in the Enugu State Government House in 2019, stressing that Gov. Ugwuanyi has done excellently well in office and deserves a second term.
Fr. Mbaka, who spoke during the Thanksgiving Mass for Gov. Ugwuanyi’s recent electoral victory at the Supreme Court, also poured encomiums on the governor, describing him as “a good, kindhearted, humble, peace-loving and God-fearing leader”, who has judiciously managed the lean resources of the state for the benefit of the people.
In his description of the Governor, a political stakeholder, former governor of old Enugu State and also former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was “the best performing Governor in Nigeria and deserved to be re-elected and supported to continue his good works.
Dr. Nwodo also described Gov Ugwuanyi as “a humble, indefatigable, humane and outstanding manager of men and resources, for the development of Enugu State. We will not be tired of commending your performance, pray for you and eulogize your uncommon leadership style.”
Nwodo who made the statement at a Thanksgiving Mass and endorsement rally for Gov. Ugwuanyi by his kinsmen from Orba Udulekenyi in Udenu Local Government Area, the former Governor appreciated the various endorsements for the governor’s re-election in 2019 from all spheres of the society because of his performance and uncommon leadership style, describing it as a good omen for the state.
Also, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu at the Enugu West PDP Zonal Peace Rally, held at Udi Abia, Udi Local Government Area of the State, said Enugu state had survived political turbulence as a result of the peaceful disposition and leadership qualities of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He said irrespective of political party differences, both leaders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had embraced peace and harmony.
The lawmaker expressed happiness that the governor’s actions had brought permanent peace to the State. He said whereas the year preceding general elections in Enugu State had always been characterized by political tension, the Governor had ensured that political peace, which he engendered upon his election, had endured till date.
“I have been involved in the politics of Enugu state since 1997. Since 1998, there had always been problems in Enugu state every year before general elections. In 2002, ahead of the 2003 general elections, there was also crisis that almost consumed everybody. Enugu State was divided from bottom to top. We survived it. In 2006, ahead of the 2007 elections, there was crisis of succession and related political tussles. Again, we survived it. In 2010 and 2007, there was also political feud between our brothers in Abuja and those in Enugu. God helped us to survive it by giving us a man who is an embodiment of peace and unity.
Speaking at the 2018 Enugu State PDP Gubernatorial primary election, a women leader and an astute politician while noting that one good turn deserves another, said that the Governor has been so good to the people, the masses and every citizen of Enugu state.
Eze, a BOT member of the PDP, added that the Governor has in the past three and half years brought such a wonderful peace in the state to the extent that the citizenry now sleeps with their two eyes closed unlike before.
”He is governing the people according to the rules and regulations of governance and has attracted so much development to the state through opening of the rural areas with road networks, empowered so many poor women and men in all the markets of the state, improved quality health care in the state and that is why he is the sole candidate because nobody at the moment can challenge his candidature,” She explained.
Speaking also, a three term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Fedelis Okoro, said that Governor Ugwuanyi has ensured effective security of lives and properties in the past three and half years of his administration.
Okoro explained that the above development made it possible for investors to troop into the state to invest and create employment for the teaming unemployed youths adding, “this is why every member of PDP in the state decided to reward the Governor by returning him as their Gubernatorial candidate for the 2019 governorship elections unopposed.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, said that the emergence of the governor as the sole candidate of the Gubernatorial election in the state was a milestone that depicts general acceptance of the uniqueness, special place that the Ugwuanyi administration has in the minds of the people.
“The outcome of the 2018 PDP Gubernatorial primary election is a combination of the fact that the governor has performed exceedingly well to the acceptance of virtually everybody which makes it absolutely, evidently unnecessary for anyone to challenge the governor.” Edeoga explained.
These above commendations and positive remarks is not limited to members of the PDP as members of the major opposition political party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as the former Governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, the South East National Vice Chairman of APC, Hon. Emma Eneukwu, among others, had also on different occasions applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his sense of political ecumenism, bi-partisan philosophy and respect for the low and mighty despite their political affiliation.
Recently, a chieftain of APC and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, visited the state and also commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the respect he has continued to accord President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders in the country irrespective of political affiliations adding that “APC cannot quarrel with anybody who is at peace with us”.
Prior to Kalu’s visit, the wife of the Leader of APC, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, while addressing newsmen during her visit to Enugu for an official engagement, described the Governor as “a very good and humble man”, whom she would wish to be reelected as governor in 2019. The people of Enugu State are very lucky to have Ugwuanyi as their governor. God has already ordained his re-election. I wish to see him back on the seat in 2019”.
The traditional rulers in the state were not left out in their commendation of the Governor’s style of leadership as they recently unanimously maintained that they were delighted that without a dissenting voice each individual and group, “especially the religious and members of the ecclesiastical orders; the elders; the political class; the professionals; the academic; the self-employed; the pensioners; the working class; the traders; artisans and the youth” extolled Gov. Ugwuanyi’s exceptional moral virtues and superlative performance in the discharge of his duties as governor.
The Royal Fathers, led by the Chairman, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, converged on the popular Michael Okpara square, Enugu for what they described as a “mega apolitical grand rally” and endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office. “They said their decision was in adherence to the stance of “all our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters in various walks of life” on the performance assessment and endorsement of the governor’s re-election in 2019.”
These quantum of commendation, support, appreciation, endorsement and support on the Governor’s peaceful leadership style which has in the past three and half years created room for development of the state and provision of dividend of democracy to the people, informed why members who would have longed to vie for the Governor’s seat under the platform of PDP dropped their aspiration thereby leaving Governor Ugwuanyi as the sole candidate of PDP for Enugu Gubernatorial primary election which happened to be the first time in the history of the state an aspirant to the office of the Governor is contesting in the party primaries unopposed or as a sole aspirant. The Governor however emerged the party’s candidate after polling 2,782 valid votes out of total votes cast of 2,859, by the delegates.
The Enugu PDP primary election which took place on the 30th of September, was chaired by a 5-man State Electoral Committee from National Secretariat of the Party led by Senator Ambuno Zik and was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Emmanuel Jonathan, JP, is the Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on New Media.
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