When the second phase of the journey which started in 2015 would have ended in praise mid 2023, a legacy like no other that people would always associate Rt. Hon. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the current Executive Governor of Enugu State is that of a man who brooks peace, sleeps peace and have peace offering as an appetizer, starter and main course meal every single day of his life. In the midst of this attribute, Ugwuanyi is humble to a fault that aside global economic challenges, his uncommon virtues manifesting in his peaceful and humble dispositions have often tamed the political wranglings that would otherwise make state ungovernable as being witnessed in other areas across the country.
Extolling these virtues as being the singular compelling force why Enugu has been better for it and why Ugwuanyi will go farther than his present stint as Executive Governor, the first executive governor of the old Anambra state and former Senator of the Federal Republic, Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo categorically maintained that the future has already begun with the likes of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Nwobodo insisted that Ugwuanyi’s humility was the reason he attended the campaign rally being held in his domain to drum support for the candidates of PDP in the forthcoming local council elections noting that his penchant to show respect to whom it is due, his humble nature to bring all shades of opinion into play without minding status or position of such opinion holders remain a virtue yet unmatched by any chief Executive of the state before him.
As the race for the 2023 general elections hots up, many citizens are still wondering who and how will Ugwuanyi’s successor emerge. Not quite a few will agree that lots of actions are already happening in other states to determine who takes over from the incumbent sometimes leading to the most ugly and bizarre incidences. In Enugu, governor Ugwuanyi’s uncommon commitment to peace has not only ensured that at best, the horse trading to get the next occupant of the Lion Building is restricted to the background.
Ugwuanyi’s body language could best be described as one who is not yet ready to be distracted in any conceivable form but desire to finish strong and creditably. Even with his eyes on the ball, his penchant for peace and humble nature has ensured that subtle negotiations and consultations across the wider spectrum of stakeholders is still ongoing and the result of his efforts will manifest in the fullness of time.
As Enugu goes to the polls to elect those who will govern them at the grassroots level tomorrow, a test of Ugwuanyi’s credibility and quality governance will amply play out. To ensure a pool of quality men and women who will continue with the quality governance exemplified by himself, the governor painstakingly tasked the people to put forward their best and followed up by confirming those that have been penciled down before the actual party primaries. Now did the Governor lay back to assume that everything will be settled at the polls and all the candidates selected by the PDP would be elected in tomorrow’s local government elections? The humility associated with Ugwuanyi played out once again as he powered the most glamorous and exciting campaign rally train across the 17 local government areas of the state which was rounded off last week. This is a true demonstration of his avowed love for democracy, respect for the sanctity of the ballot box and the people’s enormous power to determine who governs them. I’m sure by the time, all the PDP standard bearers sweeps the polls in tomorrow’s election, mischief makers will not be quick to condemn the outcome of the election as being a prearranged affair or rigged election. It will be on record that governor Ugwuanyi personally led a powerful campaign rally to drum support for all the chairmanship and councilorship candidates under PDP. As they often say, good product will always sell itself.
Before I conclude on this piece, may I crave the indulgence of Ndi Enugu to give Governor Ugwuanyi a standing ovation for his visible respect for democracy to thrive in Enugu State. What seemed an impossible venture in other states is being taken for granted here. While other state’s governors have refused to organize council elections in their states for one reason or another, governor Ugwuanyi had consistently organized same to give voice to emerging grassroots leaders and politicians. We must admit that Ugwuanyi is equally grooming future responsible leaders by these actions and more. As it stands, governor Ugwuanyi’s credibility and the quality of his governance since he stepped into the Lion Building cannot be over emphasized.
Enugu state is truly in the hands of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added “A true leader nurtures the leadership qualities in others, rather than safely acquiring followers”
Written by
© Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
Public Affairs Commentator.
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
