As a prelude to the next round of local government elections in Enugu State, Gov ifeanyi Ugwuanyi kick started what could best be described an elaborate and robust electioneering campaign to drum support for all standard bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party standing elections into the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State. At the last count and as a thorough grassroots politician, Gov Ugwuanyi have been able to tour all the local government areas in a record and unprecedented manner.
It is the same chant of Gburus everywhere he steps his feet to flag off the now rounded off campaign program. At Enugu South LG, Udi LG, Oji River LG, Isi Uzo LG, Awgu LG and Aninri, a stranger could have mistaken the carnival like campaign as a federal campaign for presidential candidates. The seriousness attached to the campaign efforts to drum support for all the PDP candidates in the scheduled February 23 local government election despite the fact that Enugu is a PDP state shows that governor Ugwuanyi is a leader who value respect for the sanctity of the ballot box and the enormous power of the people to determine who governs them rather than wait or assume that citizens will naturally vote for the PDP candidates.
It is important to underscore the power of perception. Gov Ugwuanyi as a true leader of the party came out in person and led the mammoth party faithfuls and supporters to a successful rally in each of the places he went.
While normally presenting the party candidates, he will urge the people to vote them into power to continue the good work exemplified by himself since his assumption of power in 2015. In a manner of the proverbial lizard who never failed to appreciate himself after falling down from a giant tree, governor Ugwuanyi used the opportunity of the campaign rally to highlight the visible achievements of the PDP in the state. It is a thing of interest that PDP has led Enugu State since 1999 and Enugu State have been transformed by the party. From the days of Chimaroke Nnamani till date, there have been visible achievements, signature projects, infrastructural transformations and the more under PDP.
During the campaign rallies, speakers after speakers never failed to eulogize Gov Ugwuanyi, the people’s governor and his fatherly leadership qualities. One thing remains outstanding with Governor Ugwuanyi, to his uncommon commitment, Enugu is and has continued to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria since he became governor.
As Enugu citizens firms to elect their new leaders at the grassroots level in a matter of days, it is important to remind all the party candidates who hopefully will sweep over the polls to emulate Gov Ugwuanyi by developing their rural areas and ensure that they abide by their campaign promises. Gov Ugwuanyi have done much to open up the rural areas and this have paid off. There have been developmental projects like, rural electrification, hospitals, rural roads, schools, water projects, etc. These are yearnings of the people and should be sustained. Most importantly, the new leaders must be reminded that peace remains sine qua non in the effort to develop their rural communities and should cue behind the peace masquerade exemplied by Ugwuanyi as soon as they are elected. They should sustain the peace and make sure that it is not breached in anyway. They should be reminded to carry the traditional rulers in their domain along and consolidate on the security apparatus that is already existing in Enugu State.
It would be absolutely in the best interest of the the party candidates to uphold the legacy of Ugwuanyi and make it soar more and not see their positions as an end in itself.
Interestingly, most of the party candidates are youths and grassroot politicians. They have been in politics with Ugwuanyi for a while and understand him very well. They are also easily accessible and have promised to deliver on their campaign promises. As citizens gladly and excitedly await to cast their ballot in the next council election, it is important to reaffirm our belief in Gburu-Gburu and we are proud to say that Enugu State is in the hand of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added “Leaders become great not because of their power but because of their ability to empower others”
Written by
Leonard Ugwu
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
