Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is in the business of getting things done the right way. This clearly has found expression in all facets of his governance of Enugu State. Governor Ugwuanyi is the committed democrat with a knack for the maintenance of the democratic institutions by his strict observance of democratic tenets, principles and the rule of law. This approach is in tandem with the mother hen and the chicken proverbial relationship narrative which has engendered intergovernmental harmony across the divides: between the state and the federal government and between the state and the local governments ( at the vertical level); then among the three arms of government in the state and the various ministries and parastatals( at the horizontal plane). This is no doubt the result of Ugwuanyi’s reputation for peace and harmony.
Governor Ugwuanyi right from when he came into power in 2015 had taken care to consolidate democratic governance at the third tier of government in the state, unlike what obtained elsewhere, where some governors subverted the will of the people by the imposition of caretaker committees on local governments. Under that kind of scenario, the legislative arm of the local governments were also subverted,as the caretaker committees ran both executive and legislative functions. This is akin to what obtained under military juntas, as we witnessed variously in Nigeria, during the inglorious days of military misadventure into politics. Some of these governors never conducted elections into the local governments through out their tenures and so had foisted on the people caretaker committees that were only answerable to them. They had unfettered access into the tills of the local governments and no chairman would dare raise an eyebrow. Under such a situation, the people suffered. Salaries were never paid regularly, to say nothing of the provision of infrastructure.
On the contrary, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi understands how to handle power. He is naturally unassuming and wears the toga of power with meekness and reservations. He is kindhearted and the welfare of the people has always been his concern. So, Governor Ugwuanyi does not hanker after raw power and dictatorial tendencies as we have seen in some neighbouring states. He applies much circumspection, wisdom and fear of God in every decision he takes. The people are the centerpiece of his kind thoughts. So, the thought of vain maximization of power is far from him. Is there any wonder he is not interested in the so-called caretaker committees at the local governments?
But for inevitable exigencies, at no time did Governor Ugwuanyi pander to the desecration of the democratic process by the appointment of the said caretaker committees. Even at that, His Excellency would quickly organize elections into the 17 local government to fill the 17 chairmanship and the 260 councillorship positions at the local governments in Enugu State within the shortest possible timeframe. This built out from the four years of his first tenure into the two years of his second tenure and it is now being consolidated.
As the tenure of the present local government administrations in Enugu State draws to a close in March, 2022, the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has come up with election timetable to make for seamless transition of power across the local governments through the democratic process of the people expressing the choice of their leaders by means of electoral polls. The commission chaired by Dr. Mike Ajogwu( SAN) has slated the local government elections for 23rd February, 2022. Dr. Ajogwu had also informed the people and the political parties that the commission under his watch would do its best to ensure free and fair polls that would reflect the wishes of the people of the local governments.
This is a sure sign of the fact that the Ugwuanyi administration is committed to the consolidation of democratic governance in the 17 local governments of Enugu State. Some states resort to appointment of caretaker committees that the governors may have direct and absolute control of the caretaker chairmen. They want to capture the loyalty of the chairmen without the understanding that loyalty is earned and not forced. Governor Ugwuanyi does not interfer in the affairs of the local governments but the chairmen are naturally loyal to him because he earned it. His disposition to the democratic principles has earned him the respect of the local government administrations in the state. Governor Ugwuanyi relates with them in the manner of the protective narrative of the mother hen and chicken. His Excellency always ensures that the right things are done in accordance with the democratic tenets. He does not interfer with the finances of the local governments but through moral suasion, ensures funds are utilized prudently as he avails the chairmen his guiding help accordingly. This has paid off in the local governments. Before now, there used to be crises of nonpayment of salaries, especially those of teachers, at the local governments, but since Governor Ugwuanyi came to power, such situations no longer obtain. There is this arrangement backed by law where each local government contributes to the pool from where teachers are first paid before anything else. With this process, the local governments have become solvent and up-to-date in their financial obligations.
Political activities at the local governments and the wards have begun. Aspirants have begun to campaign and consult the people as obtains in a democracy. Governor Ugwuanyi wants the people to decide who represents them at the wards and the local governments and the people of Enugu State are quite happy and grateful to the governor for that.
Governor Ugwuanyi has put Enugu State on autopilot situation. All the structures are harmoniously working as they should. He has fixed the state in all ramifications in such a way that all the next administration that will take over from him in 2023 need do is key into the operating structure and sustain the timeless legacies Ugwuanyi has wrought.
Governor Ugwuanyi shall have by 23rd February, 2022 conducted four elections for four tenures of two years each into the local governments. By implication, His Excellency shall have ensured democracy at the local governments throughout his two tenures of eight years as the governor of Enugu State, thereby consolidating democratic governance at the local governments. This is commendable and deserving of gold for the democrat, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi.
Written by
By Reuben Onyishi
(Ugoachataberu)
