Over the passing months, admirers of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration has renewed their call for him to run for the highest office in the land. This increased demand is spreading beyond the south east borders. People of other tribes are joining the que in pushing the pressure to Ugwuanyi’s door.
And when one analysis the scenario introspectively, one will begin to wonder why such call and why amidst all these demand, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi has kept mute.
The answers are not farfetched.
Ugwuanyi’s track records are so compelling to be ignored. Since 1999 when he launched into active political leadership, selfless service to the people punctuated all his endeavours. He has always presented a clean bill of sterling scorecards. From his three terms at the National Assembly to his current office as Governor, he left not a few goodwill among Nigerians.
As the House Committee Chairman on Marine transport, he was on record to have provided the legislative framework that repositioned the maritime industry in Nigeria today. He ensured that transparency which had eluded the industry’s dealings (especially its recruitment process) for many years was improved upon. He was consistent in beaming the light of checks and balances in the sector. This made recruitment in the agency and its subsidiaries reflect true federal character.
Governor cuts a perfect image of what the bible taught on cosmopolitanism “he was all things for all men” (1Cor.9:22), bearing the torchlight of good governance in order to show them leadership. At the national stage, he was bride of not just the media but of all who cherish detribalized leaders. A nationalist of high standing.
As 2023 draws closer, Nigerians and indeed all men of good will are clamouring for a presidency of Igbo extraction for equity and fairness’ sake. And they are pointing at His Excellency Rt Hon Ugwuanyi as the right man for this job. The man the cap fits. A unifier urgently needed at this point our country is adversely polarized.
He is a faithful party man. PDP often do reward his commitment to the ideals of the party at each given opportunity by appointing him to lead strategic committees of the party like the recent committee on zoning and rotation of offices within the party. When the decision became so hard they resorted to him to lead a committee that eventually resolved the Herculean situation.
In May 2015, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo told media men why he choose late President Musa Yar’adua as his successor. In his own words: “Of all the options available, Yar’adua was the most credible. He did well as a governor and had no corruption tag around him like few others that we considered at that time.”
If these still remains the criteria for selecting who presides over the nation, (as is supposed) then Gov. Ugwuanyi like Yar’adua remains the most credible in the current dispensation. He is peerless in his anti-corruption credentials. His administration’s immaculacy could be seen in the resignation (or sacking) of any of his commissioners who have questionable characters or who engaged in shoddy dealings like we saw six months ago in the ministry of Lands and Urban development Enugu.
He has an abounding national appeal across all divide of the country. Even President Buhari prefers him to join his entourage whenever he is embarking on certain foreign trips that require decisive brainstorming for the country, as we saw in 2016 when he went to U.S with him among other prominent governors. At his 58th birthday celebration recently, goodwill messages were pouring in torrents. Mr. President himself lead the way, and the 36 states governors and FCT Minister followed suit.
As to the question, why has him not made declaration yielding to the calls? We must admit that while he continues consultation among stakeholders, His Excellency the Governor is still busy delivering the gains of good governance to Ndi Enugu, but will make his position known once the time is right to avoid unnecessary distraction that campaign frenzy portends.
Ka Chineke mezie okwu!
Written by
Hon. Mrs Bibian Anekwe
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Mobilization and Empowerment to Enugu Governor State.
Director General (DG) ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
Bibian Anekwe News
www.bibiananekwe.com
