No one need be told that fairness and justice remain veritable panacea for progress, harmony and core driver of an egalitarian society. For most of the post independent Nigerian state, the quest for equity and fairness in the distribution of socio-political resources have often taken the center stage. There is no argument that the Nigerian state as currently structured had continued to breed humongous imbalance in the polity as well as the sharing of socio-political positions. Citizens of the northern Nigeria extraction no doubt have wielded political power more than any other region in the nation’s political trajectories both through the military and civilian adventure in politics. Though, southern Nigerian enclave is unarguably blessed with abundant human and natural resources that has contributed massively to the socio-economic growth of the nation, yet it’s people have had to grapple with political Injustices that have largely made them as second class citizens in a country that they claim equal stake to.
It is important to stress that through what may seem like an act of omission or commission, Nigerian political journey had been one that is patently skewed to benefit the northern region at the detriment of the vibrant south whose people are well schooled in business and administration. Ironically, the northern elites had continued to exploit the resources of the southern region to their own advantage owing to their strong hold on political power. An attempt has equally been made in the past to change this narrative to engender an egalitarian state. For purposes of political convenience, the two dominant regions of Northern and Southern protectorate in Nigeria were further broken into 6 geo-political zones to ensure equitable distribution of political positions. Till this day, the situation as it were appeared not to be any better as more and more people have joined the bandwagon to advocate for a better structured and egalitarian society where Peace and equal justice shall reign supreme.
As a man opportune to be in a political position for quite some time now and one who has never left anyone in doubt as an embodiment of peace, love for his people, his Excellency, Rt. Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi pursues the ideals of egalitarianism with so much gusto and passion that it is almost impossible not to envision where he stands on all issues especially those which have potency to uplift the political and economic conditions of a people. That the marginalization of a people evidently blessed with all it takes to catapult a society to the 9th wonder of the world is real and can no longer be tolerated should be a matter of serious concern to all men of goodwill and good taste. Governor Ugwuanyi has consistently proven that an egalitarian society is possible if only the will to entrench it could be stimulated amongst the political class and elites.
It is also important to buttress that the successive attempts to produce the President of Nigeria of Igbo extraction since the post civil internecine war that took place between 1967 and 1970 have yielded little or no fruit. The closest an Igbo man has come to taste presidential power is the second fiddle position of a vice president when the late Chief Alex Ekwueme was vice president to Shehu Shagari. Between 1970 and 2021 when the war ended or so it seems, no Igbo man was considered worthy to hold the position of the Nigerian President. This has remained the lot of a nation which declared no Victor, no vanquished at the end of the 30 months Civil War. Yet, the Igbo nation has borne this Injustice with every equanimity and have continued to contribute to the nation’s growth with her vast natural and human capacity. Recently, the governor of Enugu state joined the league of other political leaders specifically governors from the southern region to canvas for equity to be meted towards the people of Southern Nigeria to produce the next president of Nigeria come 2023. Governor Ugwuanyi was emphatic with the declaration amongst other leaders from the south that the political status quo of Nigeria particularly the office and seal of the president of Nigeria, should be uncontested against a southern Nigeria candidate or at best a candidate of eastern extraction to ensure sustainable peace, progress and happiness of all Nigerians. This is a strong message that should be embraced by all men of goodwill especially the political class across all the regions to stem the tide of agitations for self determination and secessionist tendencies.
Governor Ugwuanyi is a leader we trust and believe in. May his pursuit of peace, equity and an egalitarian society bear bigger fruit in the Nigerian state now and ever.
Nigeria is in the hands of God!
Written by
Ekoh Prince Tochukwu
A Political Analyst
Media Team Member : Enugu di n’akachukwu movement
