Since the return of the current democratic experiment in 1999, Enugu State has remained an unrepentant apostle of the Peoples Democratic Party. Perhaps no governor before Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has remained as studios to up the ante in the consolidation of the party in the state in particular, the South East Geopolitical Zone and the nation in general. This perhaps explains why the entire PDP stakeholders should speak with one voice and put their mouth where their treasure is. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi remains unbeatable when it comes to the mobilization of the electorates to vote enmasse in favor of his political party. The Peoples Democratic Party sure have a positive bet if they should choose Ugwuanyi to fly it’s flag towards the 2023 presidential election.
In 1999, Chimaroke Nnamani emerged the governor of Enugu State under PDP. APP then won some seats in the State House of Assembly election. All Peoples Party (APP) as it was known in those days equally made inroads in some few local government areas of the state. These include Igboeze North, Aninri and Ezeagu to mention but these. In 2003, PDP won massively in the elections both at state and local government level. Though it was not without a straight fight.
In 2007 PDP won massively also save for Udenu Local Government Area which was clinched by the candidate of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) although the winner, Dr Eze later decamped to PDP, but it was on record that he won under another party. The candidates of the AC in the governorship election, Mr. Valentine Nnadozie and Mr. Ugochukwu Agbala of APGA gave PDP a run for their money.
Since Gov. Ugwuanyi became governor of Enugu State, no party has won any election from councilorship to state governorship election except PDP. There have been highly reduced political thugery and voters aparty. People have been coming to election freely without molestation and inducement under Ugwuanyi. Gov Ugwuanyi has made winning so easy for PDP because of his style of leadership and friendly grassroot approach he uses in electioneering campaign. In the local government election held last Wednesday on 23/2/2022, the election was mostly free and fair except for few skirmishes in Enugu South, Nkanu East and West LGAs. The turn out for the election was highly impressive. No other party had the kind of grassroot campaign PDP had in the state. No party went round all the local governments in Enugu State with it’s state excos, functionaries and stakeholders as Ugwuanyi did with PDP.
Gov Ugwuanyi introduced another political campaign style worthy of emulation even by other people in other states of the federation. There was no political killing or war throughout the campaign period under Ugwuanyi’s leadership. Crime waves always rise during political campaign period but it was not so in Enugu State. Enugu still remained peaceful as it has been. Ugwuanyi style of leadership and his down to earth relationship with the people has endeared him to the people. We congratulate all the winners and advise them to emulate Gov Ugwuanyi’s style of politics. This is what will take us to the next level of political advancement and development we have been praying for in this country. We are grateful to God for the gift of Gov Ugwuanyi and are proud to say that Enugu State is in the hand of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added; “Leadership should be focused on extending the ladder of opportunity for everyone”
Written by
Leonard Ugwu
A political Analyst
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
