By the 29th day of May, 2023 and by the special grace of God, the Rt. Honorable Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the Orba born politician and the Executive governor of Enugu state would have completed his eventful eight years in the office as Governor. Unarguably, Ugwuanyi’s administration in sharp contrast to the previous civilian administrations since the current democratic experiences remains a perfect example of the democratic ethos. Ugwuanyi’s administration will go down in history as one with the most tolerant mood and with the right kind of shock absorbers against political detractors.
Though, the political opponents may umbrage him and throw tantrums at his government, he had remained largely calm and appeared unperturbed by the antics of the oppositional elements. To perpetually unnerve these oppositional elements, he showed resoluteness in winning them over and over by running an all inclusive regime and open door administration where ideas can be birthed and nurtured progressively for the good of Ndi Enugu. Little wonder then why Enugu State in recent time has been described as the most peaceful state East of the Niger and her governor, the most *_Peaceful_*. Mark the Superlative adjective *_Most_*. This is indeed a no mean feat. While other states are buffeted right, left and center by the ubiquitous bad elements in the society, Enugu has provided a relative safe haven where individuals from all walks of life can hibernate and carry out their businesses. While other states are embroiled in who gets what in the race to the 2023 general elections causing undue distractions to the business of governance, governor Ugwuanyi has maintained a measure of level headedness to absorb all manner of umbrage and propaganda to blackmail him to do the bidding of few unbridled political desperadoes.
It is important to remark that Ugwuanyi has at every turn maintained that equity and fairness is his base philosophy while dialogue remains the panacea for briddling all forms of political cankerworm. But rather than requite Ugwuanyi in his exact coin, the desperadoes are wittingly restless in their conclave enrobing themselves in the black garments of perfidy and bare faced propaganda. What they cannot utter in words, they would cast in print. Of course, printed words make long lasting impressions but only to the gullible and the undiscerning.
I came across a few of the printed cartoons against Governor Ugwuanyi where he was depicted as running a clannish government and even planning to continue on same trajectory after 2023 albeit indirectly by proxy. At another instant, he was depicted as one who believes in zoning of political offices but would himself bulldoze his way against the spirits and letters of zoning into the red chambers in 2023 after his tenure as the Executive governor of Enugu state. Those who peddle these false narrative will always be deluded into believing that they can stand truth in its head. Former governor Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo of old Anambra state has a campaign mantra in the years gone by and which remains the ideal response to those who love to spew lies *_Eziokwu ga-emechaa puta ife_*. The triumph of truth over black lies is as sure footed as the cheetah.
For one, no one should be in doubt that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the Governor has always craved for the best hands to drive his government no matter where they come from. This philosophy to be best at his job and bequeath a lasting legacy in the socio-political and economic development of Enugu State led him to even appoint non indigenes of the state to oversee certain aspects of his administration. Till date, no single political Constituency can deny the absence of at least a single representative in his administration.
For another, those who are familiar with the politics of the Enugu northern hemisphere would readily agree that they also operate a robust political zoning among their major political blocs. Beginning with the new democratic experiences, late Senator Fidelis Okolo, Senator Ayogu Eze and then the incumbent Senator Chukwuka Utazi . By 2023, Senator Utazi from Uzo-Uwani proper would have spent eight years in the red chambers paving way for another candidate which is their soul discretion to determine where the candidate should come from in the spirit of equity, fairness and reward for excellence.
I make bold to assert that no political zone in Enugu is as democratic as what obtains in the North Senatorial zone. In the Western zone for instance, one man from one political bloc has strutted the political firmament in the red chambers for close to two decades and still showing no sign of exiting the stage yet.
Although, governor Ugwuanyi is yet to reveal in explicit terms his political goals post 2023, but let it be sounded out that if he is interested in representing his good people in the red chambers come 2023 after his eventful stint at the Lion Building and his people accepts him to be there, there is absolutely anything any body can do about it. Gov.Ugwuanyi is a consummate man of the people and a very good man and a politician.
It will only amount to sheer intimidation and cajoling of a man who hold executive powers to jettison his political ambition or to allow political conflict or confusion which the stepsiding of political distribution of offices to all the stakeholders of the state can only guarantee. Ugwuanyi is a product of zoning, so does most of these desperate politicians angling for one political office or another. After spending a reasonable period in a political office, it stands to reason that one should give way for another dramatis personae to try out his administrative competence. Insisting that “it must be me or no one else” in every political equation amounts to sheer greed and avarice against good morals and conscience.
Those who are baying for political blood should pause to think straight. Zoning can only guarantee equity, inclusion and fairness among all the political stakeholders. Allowing only the strongest to have their way all the time is sheer wickedness on the part of the contenders.
Those who are insinuating all what not and have continued to blackmail our Governor to do away with everything that will continue to ensure that Enugu State remains in the hands of God are enemies of the state and should be profiled for who they truly are. But the joke is actually on them and not on Rt. Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a leader with a good heart. The truth must prevail.
Bibian Anekwe News added: “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone. The courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the need of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent”.
Written by
Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
Public Affairs Commentator.
Media Team Member of Enugu di n’aka Chukwu movement.
*Bibian Anekwe News*
