The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Enugu Guber

  • Peter’s Intangibles – By Onochie Jon-Igwesi

    Peter’s Intangibles – By Onochie Jon-Igwesi

    On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2023 general elections, as he then was, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Law Auditorium of the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, unveiled his manifesto before thousands of supporters.

    I recall that of the 4 major contenders in the governorship race under different political parties, Mbah was the first to present his manifesto. He would later go on to have so many firsts to his credit. I also recall that the crowd was so thronged on the day that it was difficult for bigwigs to gain entrance into the auditorium at the time.

    Back to the story – at the end of the manifesto unveiling, while he gave us metrics to gauge his tangibles, we did not know at the time that we would get more than we bargained for.

    You see, Governor Peter Mbah, like all transcendental leaders, is a premium package that comes with more as you untie it. When Mary Slessor, the Scottish missionary who arrived in Calabar, Nigeria, in 1876, came with the message of Christ’s gospel, she did not know that she was going to achieve more than soul winning – becoming the person most widely credited with significantly stopping the killing of twins.

    When Peter set out to honour his charter with the citizens of Enugu State, little did he know that beyond paved rural and urban roads; Smart schools & Type 2 Healthcare centres in all the 260 political wards of the state; several modern bus interchange; revamped transport system, inclusive of Enugu air, with 2 planes already and more likely underway; the planned intra-rail system; deployed CNG Buses and electric taxis; he would go on to achieve what he did not promise us – his intangibles.

    None, not even Peter himself, could have envisioned that after recently completing the abandoned International Conference Center, where both the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors and the Nigerian Bar Association will be hosting their conferences; after the concessioning of the Nike Lake Hotel to Landmark Africa Group; and rehabilitating most of the infrastructure by the former Premier, Dr. M.I Ọkpara, like the Hotel Presidential, Nigergas company, etc; we would gaze into the clouds to behold the beautiful rainbows of his intangibles.

    For me, I reckon that the heaviest of Peter’s intangibles is that to hail from or reside in Enugu has become a thing to be coveted, a bragging right of some sort. To come from Enugu means to be gazed upon with an admixture of envy and jealousy. To come from Enugu means to relive the nostalgia of the Enugu Rangers Football club of the 70s and yet bask in today’s euphoria of this team rebranded by Peter that tells the story of who we are. To come from Enugu means to walk the streets and see people adorn Rangers’ jerseys as though they were jerseys of English clubs. To come from Enugu means to go to the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium on a day that Rangers will play to behold a stadium filled to the brim. To come from Enugu means to normalize the sight of international athletes participating in the city’s marathon. To come from Enugu means that while you can now go out on Mondays, walking or driving in a rebirthed capital city, fitted with day and night vision cameras, you have an Enugu State Security Trust Fund worth more than 3 billion naira, donated by private individuals and corporate bodies, giving your senses an aroma of heightened security. To come from Enugu means that you are awed by the numerous projects of today – all going on at the same time – yet knowing deep down that more brilliant projects are in the governor’s pipeline. To come from Enugu means that your state is Guinness Nigeria Plc’s first port of call in unveiling the English Premier League Trophy to the entire nation, among others.

    Consider these. Peter is relocating slum dwellers in Agu-Owa and Ugbo-Lawrence slums, two out of the 25 slums in Enugu metropolis, with the development of relocation sites at Akpuoga Nike Estate to resettle the occupants of the slums, with each of the families getting a two-bedroom flat and a Certificate-of-Occupancy to the property, all at no cost to them. Peter, together with the seventeen local government chairmen, has initiated the construction of a farm estate per ward, measuring 200 hectares. The idea is this – the council chairmen will fence the estates per ward in their respective local governments, provide equipment for mechanized farming, ensure water, electricity, settlements, etc, are available in these farms, then give farmers in each of the farm estates high yield seeds to plant. At the end of the planting season, Peter’s Enugu State government will handsomely purchase the produce from each of the farmers who are residents and indigenes of their wards, export the same and go on to share the profit from the export between the farmers in those farm estates and their local government. This is no brainchild of a simple mind.

    Peter’s mind works in a way that is esoteric. His programs defy logical reasoning so much that it makes sense to doubt them. Yet, for every ounce of doubt you share today, he makes mincemeat of it tomorrow. Reflecting, it only made sense that we did not see these coming – yet with Peter on the saddle, these seem like just a mere glimpse of the whole picture.

    On the occasion of his second anniversary, take it or leave it – Peter stands twice as tall, and months from now, when we will head to the polls to re-elect Peter in 2027, the nay-sayers will, on Enugu’s scenic hills, hear the choruses and chants of “victory at last” while the yea-sayers will sing Nathaniel Bassey’s “See what the Lord has done”.

    And so, even if in years to come, we cannot remember anything else, we will remember the gusto with which, from 2023 to 2031, we said “I am from Enugu State”. We will remember that Peter reminded us of what Democracy ought to be – a treasure trove for the people.

    Onochie Jon-Igwesi, an indigene of Enugu, writes from Omuoha-Obuoffia, Awkunanaw.

  • [ANALYSIS] Enugu LP Guber Ticket: Issues, Intrigues, Twists, Way Forward

    [ANALYSIS] Enugu LP Guber Ticket: Issues, Intrigues, Twists, Way Forward

    By Onochie Jon-Igwesi

    Labour Party was almost nowhere to be seen in the build up to the 2023 political scene before May 27, 2022, when Mr Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and 2019 PDP Vice Presidential candidate, formally announced his decision to join their fold after exiting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    Since that move, the rejected stone, arguably, appears to be the rave of the moment.

    Such rapid and geometric growth comes with its attendant issues. It would later go on to reveal itself, first, in the Labour Party Presidential race.

    At the Asaba, Delta State, presidential primary election, Mr. Pat Utomi stepped down for Mr Peter Obi to emerge as the party’s sole presidential candidate, unbeknownst to them that a then factional presidential candidate, Jude Ezenwafor, would later go on to challenge the emergence of Obi. However, possibly by divine orchestration, Ezenwafor, after a while, willingly withdrew from the LP presidential ticket claims, citing personal grounds and offered an apology for causing discomfort.

    As the campaigns for the 2023 elections draw closer and going by the swelling patronage of the Labour Party by, majorly, Nigerian youths and in recent times, Nigerians from all age brackets, the struggle for who clinches the gubernatorial ticket of the party is almost throwing its different state chapters into serious confusion.

    In Enugu State, things are not different as two camps lay claims to being the authentic holder of the party’s governorship ticket.

    On one hand is the Chijioke Edeoga camp, and on the other hand, the Evarest Nnaji camp.

    Both Edeoga and Nnaji were governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party. While Nnaji formally announced his decision to withdraw from the PDP guber primaries in the early hours of May 25, 2022, the day the election was conducted, Edeoga participated, coming second with a total of 9 votes.

    Many observers have wondered why the duo of Nnaji and Edeoga are re-launching their guber bid using the Labour Party, especially when both of them congratulated the PDP standard bearer, Peter Mbah, and even asked their supporters to channel their support to Mbah.

    But the staunch supporters of the two camps wouldn’t hear of that, with the Edeoga camp claiming irregularities in the state PDP primary elections.

    On the scramble for the Labour Party ticket, their supporters who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak, had a lot to reveal.

    Evarest Nnaji’s camp

    On August 4, 2022, a primary election was conducted and it announced Chijioke Edeoga as the winner and governorship candidate of the party in the state.

    Speaking on the legality of the exercise, the campaign organization of Nnaji’s camp, in a publicly issued statement through the Director General, Okey Ezirigwe, wondered why Edeoga should “appear as the sole candidate as seen in the amateur videos from the purported primary that produced him”. He went on to emphasize that Nnaji fulfilled all the party guidelines and was issued the INEC nomination form by the party.

    In his words “The questions Edeoga should answer are, did Nnaji purchase the Labour Party gubernatorial expression of interest and nomination forms or not? Was he given a waiver after he met the party’s conditions for waiver, and did Nnaji fulfill the requirements for becoming the party’s flag-bearer or not? Was Nnaji at any point disqualified from participating in the primaries he fully paid for and met all conditions to emerge the consensus candidate as contained in the party guidelines? How did he (Edeoga) appear as the sole candidate as seen in the amateur videos from the purported primary that produced him and why was the kangaroo primary secretly held in a beer parlour located at the back of his private residence?

    “The purported INEC officials who claimed to have observed the fake election did not emanate from Abuja and INEC had since put a disclaimer. The security agents who attended the purported primary election were proven not to have been officially assigned to observe the process and there was no official memo stating that the party had fixed a primary election between the duo of Edeoga and Nnaji. If the party did, there is no way Nnaji would not be present and the venue would not have been in a beer barn located next to the home of Edeoga”, Ezirigwe stated.

    Submitting that at first, Edeoga’s preferred interest was to contest for the Senate, Ezirigwe questioned why the outcome of the party stakeholders meeting held in Lagos and led by Prof. Pat Utomi, wherein it was made public that there were two governorship aspirants of the party in the state, wasn’t adhered to.

    Chijioke Edeoga’s camp

    Reacting to the claims, a key member of Edeoga’s camp who also spoke on anonymity was perplexed as to “why people believe in lies and folktales than truth and sense of reasonability”.

    He wondered why Nnaji was raising the issue “after over one month of the conduct of the Labour Party primary election for its gubernatorial candidate for Enugu State”.

    He said: “Labour Party conducted its gubernatorial primary election at the largest hall of Top 10 Hotels by SARS office, Golf Estate, Enugu. The place was chosen for strategic security reasons. Again, is it reasonable to hire a stadium for election involving 85 delegates at 5 per Local Government of the 17 LGAs in Enugu state? The hotel is there, whether beer parlour or not, and is verifiable, as our incoming President, Peter Obi will say.

    “The primary election was conducted in line with the guidelines of our Labour Party and that of INEC. The election was by open secret balloting under the supervision of the National Leaders of the party led by the National Deputy Chairman, South East, State Party EXCOs, representatives of NLC, TUC and CSOs, including the Press and Security Agencies, and monitored by INEC according to the Electoral Act of 2022. At the end of voting and sorting, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga emerged victorious with 81 votes, and returned elected and announced by the Returning Officer, Asst. National Secretary of Labour Party. Edeoga’s Certificate of Return was subsequently presented to him by the National Chairman of our great party, Abure, at the party’s headquarters at Abuja”.

    Asked why Edeoga participated unopposed in the primaries, he said, “Edeoga was elected unopposed because in an election where there is not more than one aspirant, the only aspirant automatically will be elected unopposed. Just like I said before, the Team for the conduct of the election announced to the delegates that Enugu State made their job easier by having only one aspirant in the name of Hon. Barr. Chijioke Edeoga. In this situation, should we have manufactured more aspirants or faked some? There is therefore no truth in sidelining Nnaji as no one builds anything on nothing. Odengene (Nnaji) wasn’t an aspirant. The delegates couldn’t have voted for anyone based on rumours of Odegene’s aspiration for the LP’s Gubernatorial ticket for Enugu State”.

    On the claim by Nnaji’s campaign organization that Edeoga first wanted to run for senate, the source said “Edeoga never aspired for anything like senate, except governorship position, which he believes is a better crown to do good and contribute his quota in building a better society in Enugu State devoid of class, state of origin, religion, including practical good governance”.

    Twists

    While the debate as to who the authentic governorship candidate of the party is continued to rage on, it was alleged that Evarest Nnaji was an agent deployed by Enugu State PDP to destabilize Labour Party, being alarmed and amazed by the wide acceptance of Edeoga’s emergence.

    In severally forwarded whatsapp messages shared by Edeoga’s supporters and credited to Comrade Kennedy Iyere, a labour party chieftain and national mobiliser for Peter Obi, it alleged that Nnaji collected 2 billion naira from the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in order to cause crisis in the determination of who becomes the LP governorship candidate in the state.

    However, in a swift reaction, Iyere denied making such allegations. Iyere however said that Nnaji will surely emerge as the Governorship candidate of the party, adding that as it stands now, there was no Governorship candidate of the party in Enugu state which Mr. Chijioke Edeoga has been holding claim to.

    Speaking during the “Charity Begins At Home” conference of Labour Party in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, on Saturday, Iyere alleged that three Chieftains from the state were behind the crisis rocking the Labour Party in Enugu state.

    Denying the alleged indictment on Nnaji, Iyere said: “Would I have said such a thing? If they say I said such a thing, let them mention one or two persons who belong to that platform.

    “There was actually no primary to produce Edeoga. What happened was that after a meeting of key stakeholders in Lagos, it was discovered that Edeoga was not fit to run for the Governorship because Edeoga is a political dependant. He is not grounded politically to fund himself. Edeoga does not have N10 million to even rent an office, he depends on people giving money to him, he doesn’t even have money to take care of the basic things. He lacks financial and moral capabilities, you see the way he hijack rallies organized by others, he can’t organise his own.

    “So, in Lagos, we decided there should be another primary election but Capt Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) was deceived out of Enugu without him properly being invited to participate in the primary election after paying all that needed to be paid and filling all the forms. Most people in Labour Party did not know there was a scheduled primary election. The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state didn’t know there was a primary election and he was the one that would have given the notice.

    “Nobody’s name is yet with INEC as the Governorship candidate for Labour Party. Evarest Nnaji will be the candidate because another Primary election will be conducted before 17th September and Odengene will win. The matter is in court”, Iyere said.

    Way Forward

    A public affairs analyst, Orji Ken, who spoke to our correspondent, advised Edeoga, Nnaji and their supporters to thread carefully to avoid a boomerang on the Obidient movement in the state. He cautioned them to hold on till the October 2 date when INEC would publish the final list of governorship candidates in states of the country.

    “It is necessary for Chijioke Edeoga and Evarest Nnaji to thread with caution. The PDP is still a strong party in the state and if this squabble continues, it could definitely affect the chances of Peter Obi in Enugu state.

    “Why the unnecessary heating up of the polity by both of them? Did they not even congratulate and host the PDP governorship candidate, Peter Mbah to a reception at the end of the primaries and promised to work with him? Why did they renege on that? They should even be worried that this could affect their public view before the electorates. It shows their desperation to be governor, and at any cost.

    “While I understand that they both reserve the right to vote and be voted for, they should exercise patience till INEC publishes their own list of candidates for all the positions in the country. Either of them whose name doesn’t make it to the list or feels cheated can then approach the court”.

  • I’ll name my successor through inspiration from God, says Governor Ugwuanyi

    I’ll name my successor through inspiration from God, says Governor Ugwuanyi

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Sunday said that he would name his successor through the inspiration of God.

    This is even as the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chuka Utazi, said he would not contest to be re-elected to the Senate in 2023 for the interest of peace in his District.

    The duo spoke during a solidarity rally organised in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State by the leadership and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu North Senatorial District where the party leadership equally reaffirmed their total support for Governor Ugwuanyi and enjoined him to emulate his predecessors by picking his successor in 2023.

    The Governor who thanked Senator Utazi for his sacrifice also appreciated the party fateful for their support, assuring that he would not take their loyalty for granted.

    He enjoined the people of the District to use their superior voting strength to determine the results of elections in the state.

    Meanwhile, Senator Utazi in his speech alleged that “political enemies are trying to turn his Senatorial District into a battleground,” in the forthcoming elections which were why he is sacrificing his seat for the interest of peace.

    “Enemies outside want Enugu North Senatorial District to be a battleground in 2023. I don’t want here to be a battleground. We have an interest in the future of this Senatorial District and Enugu State at large.

    “We don’t want to go into troubles and litigations that would never end here. As a leader of my people, I have made my own sacrifice. Leadership is about sacrifice,” Senator Utazi said.

    Earlier in his opening address, the Zonal Chairman of PDP in the District, Mike Onyeze, while declaring the unalloyed allegiance of the party fateful, described the governor as the “hero of democracy,” siting his unprecedented infrastructure development and security in the state.

    “You have continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Enugu State despite the harsh economic situation in the country. We are behind you in every decision you take for the interest of PDP in Enugu State. We are gathered here to reaffirm our support for you.

    “As the party prepares for primary elections, we shall give you our total support as usual. We are also in support of the existing zoning arrangement in the state. The leadership of PDP in Enugu North Senatorial District and all the stakeholders condemn in totality members of our great party outside this District who is trying to scatter the existing zoning arrangement in the state. Those behind this anti-party movement are not only insulting the governor but the entire people of Enugu North Senatorial District.

    “The governor’s predecessors picked their successors and his case won’t be different,” Onyeze said.

    Other major stakeholders including those representing the three constituencies in the District at the National Assembly, State House of Assembly members, local government chairmen and party hierarchies in the District reaffirmed their support for the Governor.

    (Vanguard)

  • Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race 

    Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race 

    Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race

    As the race for who occupies the exalted position of the Governor of Enugu State in 2023 continue to gather momentum, some Royal Fathers under the auspices of Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers Council, led by the Chairman of the council, HRH Igwe Dan Nnamani, on Tuesday, February 1, paid elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo (Anyanwụ), a visit in his Amechi home, to discuss issues around the 2023 governorship race, as well as confirm the authenticity of his reported stance by the media.

    As the discussions went on, journalists were not allowed to take records of the details of the meeting but at the end, in a press statement titled “My Position on Nkanu East Local Government Remains the Same”, signed by the elder statesman, Sen. Jim Nwobodo, and made available to the press, Jim stated that when a delegation of Traditional Rulers, including some of those in today’s meeting visited him in 2019 to discuss the issue of governorship, he advised that the incumbent governor had just been sworn in for his second term and it was too early to start discussing where his successor would come from and that when the time comes, the people of Nkanu should lobby the Governor and other relevant stakeholders, including the general voting public in Enugu to support an aspirant from Nkanu East.

    When asked whether the Traditional Rulers were there to seek his support on the Guber candidacy of candidates from Awkunanaw, he said they didn’t visit him solely to seek his support but to also confirm the authenticity of the media reports on his stance on issues around the governorship race.

    Our correspondent tried to get the response of some of the Royal fathers on why they visited Jim Nwobodo and whether they, as a group, were satisfied with the outcome of the visit but it was unsuccessful. However, one of them, HRH Eze Barr. Igwesi Igwesi, Eze Chinawaeze III of Obuoffia, who spoke to some of the journalists on phone said “The meeting was meant to be private but we don’t know how the press came in, although I’m not in support of the meeting being private in view of the issue to be discussed.”

    Going further “We came to prove to the world and reassure Jim Nwobodo that he is too big for anyone to toy around with. We traditional rulers have our respect for him. He gave the WAWA man the image he wields today. Personally I am of the belief that If he says that a thing is his opinion, it should be respected. If he stands on Nkanu East, he shouldn’t be lampooned for that” he said.

    While some candidates continue to make both open and clandestine declarations of their intention to run for Governor, two sons of Awkunanaw, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo from Amechi in Enugu South LG and Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa from Obuoffia in Nkanu West LG are tipped to be Frontline candidates for the governorship race from the Awkunanaw bloc of Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

    A copy of Sen. Jim’s press statement

  • ENUGU 2023: X-RAYING EKWEREMADU’S LATEST POLITICAL STRATEGY.

    ENUGU 2023: X-RAYING EKWEREMADU’S LATEST POLITICAL STRATEGY.

     

    By Buchi Nnaji

     

    As civilized citizens, it is imperative and part of our responsibilities to weigh up the intent and aspiration of leaders from time to time, especially when their activities become dicey.

     

    2023 is an election year with peculiarity. Since the return of democracy in 1999, governorship position in Enugu State has been moving rotationally from one zone to another and by the year 2023, one phase of the cycle would be completed, and another phase will commence in the same pattern.

     

    The first phase of the power rotation started with Enugu East District, of which His Excellency, Sen Chimaroke Nnamani governed the state for eight years before handing over to his successor, His Excellency, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime who is from Enugu West senatorial district.

     

    In 2015, His Excellency Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi took over from Chime as it was the turn of Enugu North zone to mount the saddle of leadership of the state.

     

    In all these years, despite the challenges from opposition parties, the candidates of People’s Democratic Party, PDP recorded landslide victories during election. This shows that the people of qEnugu State are in unison with the peaceful zoning arrangement of the PDP.

     

    Following the same sequence, at the end of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s tenure in 2023, it is sacrosanct that Enugu East senatorial zone shall produce the governor that will continue where the incumbent Governor will stop.

     

    However, rumours have been going round that the Senator representing Enugu West senatorial zone in the red chamber, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu in his bid to take what belongs to Enugu East senatorial zone is hatching plans to disrupt the power rotation process that is widely accepted in Enugu State, without taking cognisance that Enugu people are wiser and poised to dislodge him politically if he dare to make such attempt. Power belongs to the People!

     

    It is not only dangerous but treacherous for someone like Sen. Ike Ekweremadu to bite the finger that feed him. Ekweremadu who is a major beneficiary of the principle of power rotation in Enugu State is the least person expected to champion the infelicitous move to thwart the existing zoning arrangement.

     

    Ekweremadu and his ardent followers who are obviously wallowing in political oblivion believe that he has sacrificed a lot for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and deserve to be compensated with Enugu State governorship ticket come 2023. This is ridiculous.

     

    What the Senator and his cohorts fail to understand is that there are many PDP faithfuls, both big and small who have had equal share, if not more of the sacrifices. In fact, no body has sacrificed for the PDP more than the electorates who risk their lives for many hours, under the scorching sun of election days and threats by political tugs, just to make sure the party win election and remain relevant.

     

    It is high time some leaders stopped taking the common man for granted. Those who have occupied political offices for very long time should in all fairness give way for other younger ones to come up.

     

    Source close to the Aninri born Senator said that Ekweremadu bragged about how he will conveniently secure the 2023 PDP governorship ticket from the national body of the party without stress, but he failed to understand that PDP belongs to her members, and any attempt to impose a candidate on the people of Enugu State will not only be vehemently resisted by the masses but will further tarnish the image and integrity of the opposition party.

     

    The national body of PDP must not make the mistake of soiling the party because of one man’s ambition, especially now that PDP is struggling to restore her past glory and correct the mistakes of the past.

     

    The will of the greater number of party faithfuls who by divine providence have been comfortably supporting power rotation despite the attempts by unscrupulous and greedy individuals to create confusion in the state must be uphold in order to maintain the dignity and strength of the party in Enugu State.

     

    PDP leaders at all levels must not be cowed into believing that Ekweremadu was the only one who stood firm for the party during it’s trying times. Many people at different levels paid the same price, even more. He should be thankful to God for his huge benefits so far.

     

    If Ike Ekweremadu is actually hoping that PDP will use 2023 gubernatorial ticket to compensate him, then he must be dreaming because that expectation will never see the light of the day. Nobody can cajole the people of Enugu State to distort the peaceful clockwise rotation of power in existence.

     

    Moreso, if the Senator feel like displaying his political sagacity, he should channel his interest to vying for the Presidency in 2023 instead of wasting his time and resources chasing shadows in Enugu.

     

    Gone are those days when citizens sit down and watch politicians brandish powers the way they like in attempt to intimidate people and grab what rightfully belong to them, at the expense of public interest.

     

    With all the enormous wealth and fame acquired by Ike Ekweremadu over the years, he should be grateful to Enugu East Senatorial Zone that brought him into political lime light through his political father, Distinguised Senator (Dr.) Chimaroke Nnamani instead of wasting his resources on campaigns against the progress of Enugu State.

     

    Maintaining a political equilibrium that has sustained peace in Enugu State is the hallmark of the governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration and whoever is not ready to follow the same footsteps is a perceived traitor that cannot be trusted with Executive power.

     

    Most times, people are driven by greed and hunger for power to the extent that they do things without thinking properly. The idea of heating up the polity in order to be called for settlement and appeasement is not in the interest of the Enugu State and must be discouraged.

     

    This has been one of the strategies of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu. In 2015, he used the same strategy and it worked for him. Ekweremadu despite knowing that it wasn’t the turn of Enugu West zone to produce the governor, started in his usual style to wander in the dream land, painting images of his inexistent political weight.

     

    Of course, it worked for him then because negotiation ensued and His Excellency, former Gov. Sullivan Chime was robbed of his opportunity to represent the people of Enugu West senatorial zone in the red chamber.

     

    The leaders of PDP must braze up and stop giving in to the manipulation of some politicians who are desperate for power.

     

     

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  • ENUGU 2023: POWER ROTATION MUST CONTINUE IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION

    ENUGU 2023: POWER ROTATION MUST CONTINUE IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION

     

    By Buchi Nnaji

     

    As the 2023 general election draw close, political activities in Enugu State are gaining momentum. Politicians, cultural groups and well meaning individuals have started laying claims and counterclaims on whose turn it is to take over from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Considering the terrible state of insecurity that has become a nightmare to the South East region, one shouldn’t have had the moral justification to discuss politics while his house is on fire. But it will also be unjust to throw deaf ears on the recent brouhaha over zoning in Enugu State.

    Zoning, otherwise known as ‘rotation of power’ has no doubt enshrined equity, justice, fairness and consequently, peace and political stability in Enugu State since its divine adoption. While some argue that it is not backed by the constitution, the principle of zoning remains kosher.

    Some people wallowing in political oblivion allege that there was never a time it was agreed that zoning should be observed in Enugu State. However, feigning ignorance does not dispute the fact that rotation of power is rooted in Enugu State and also instrumental in maintaining political balancing in the State since the return of democracy.

    Before now, political activities in Enugu State have been characterized by so much violence, thuggery, killing of Innocent souls, and so on. Though it is near impossible to have a hitch free election season, the gentleman’s arrangement of zoning has reduced in no small measure the catastrophe that bedevils it.

    Just as I pointed out in one of my earlier articles on zoning, Enugu State political structure is comfortably standing on a tripod, ekwu na to. The triangular equilibrium in Enugu State is made up of the three senatorial zones, Enugu East, Enugu West, and Enugu North senatorial zones. The rotation of power started from Enugu East zone in 1999, to Enugu West zone and currently in Enugu North zone. So, whoever says there is no zoning arrangement in Enugu State is merely trying to fly an unhealthy kite to favour his or her selfish ambition.

    At this point, having concluded a cycle of power rotation, different unsavory arguments are cropping up from the camp of desperate politicians, in a bid to truncate the smooth zoning process to favor their selfish interests. One school of thought has it that since the first cycle of rotation has ended, the next cycle can start from any zone. Those towing this unproductive path are few selfish individuals who are merely trying to ignite political quagmire. Their ill-fated argument does not hold water as it lacks every sense of propriety and good judgement.

    Another epileptic reasoning has it also that since the first cycle of zoning in Enugu State has been concluded with Enugu North senatorial zone taking the last lap, the next cycle should start from the last zone (Enugu North), going anti-clockwise.

    This obnoxious line of thought on its own is ridiculous, unsubstantial, selfish and dead on arrival. Borrowing a leaf from natural principle, the earth and other planets rotate round the sun in a steady clockwise direction. Never a time was it reported that after a complete rotation, the planets started going anticlockwise. Therefore, it will be counterproductive and foolish to start rotating power in an anti-clockwise direction just to satisfy the desire of desperate politicians. Anticlockwise rotation is tantamount to swimming against the ocean current. No one goes against natural system or pattern and expect victory or good result.

    While all these debates are going on in various media, yet another naive group condemned in entirety the act of peaceful zoning in Enugu State. They claim it is undemocratic and encourages mediocrity. This assumption is utterly wrong because democracy in a simple term is defined as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If this definition is in order, it means that democracy and it’s principles revolve around the people. That means, a people can consciously or subconsciously choose a particular arrangement that works for them, in as much as it is for their collective good. That is democratic.

    Others went further to insist that zoning in Enugu State is only a PDP affair, hence does not affect other political parties. Well, as much as it resembles the truth, it is pertinent to note that zoning principle is one of the secret weapons of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Their past victories that has kept them in power can be traceable to the fact that they respect equity, fairness and justice, while abhorring marginalization, deceit and divisive actions.

    All the arguments being peddled by different individuals and groups in a deliberate attempt to manipulate, truncate and sabotage the divine political arrangement that has been working in Enugu State are invalid and should be jettisoned.

    Anyone who love Enugu State must put the interest of the state before his/her personal ambition. It will be wrong to disrupt the working zoning arrangement in Enugu State just for one’s selfish desire or aggrandizement.

    Meanwhile, in reality, everybody can never agree to zoning, but that does not change the fact that zoning as being practiced in Enugu State has been fruitful and always take it’s natural course despite efforts being made by few disgruntled individuals and groups to scuttle the gentleman’s agreement. If majority of the stakeholders and the good people of Enugu State still see the need to abide by the principle of clockwise power rotation in order to eschew anarchy, and other vices associated with electioneering, then, those who are against the peaceful zoning system should have a rethink.

    The recent zoning of 2023 governorship ticket by the All Progressive Congress, APC Enugu State to Enugu East senatorial zone is a clear indication that Enugu State respects clockwise zoning arrangement.

    It is however advisable for other political parties in Enugu State such as the incumbent People’s Democratic Party, PDP to also key into the zoning arrangement and cede their governorship ticket to Enugu East senatorial zone if they must continue to make waves in the political history of the State. By so doing, the party is expected to field a credible candidate from Enugu East senatorial zone for the 2023 gubernatorial contest.

  • Enugu APC Registers Over 180,000 members, As Party Zones 2023 Guber Ticket To Enugu East Senatorial Zone. 

    Enugu APC Registers Over 180,000 members, As Party Zones 2023 Guber Ticket To Enugu East Senatorial Zone. 

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu state has zoned its governorship ticket to Enugu East Senatorial Zone. Making the announcement in an event to mark the end of the membership registration and revalidation exercise at the state party Secretariat, the party chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye noted that the party was positioned to occupy the Lion Building of the Enugu State Government House come 2023. He added that the APC is not as confused as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state which according to him, was still struggling with the issue of zoning.

    He said, “In 2015, the governorship ticket was zoned to Enugu North and Chief Barrister Okey Ezea ran and later in 2019, Senator Ayogu Eze flew the party’s flag. “In line with the spirit of fair play and equality, APC have zoned its governorship ticket to Enugu East and the 8 years for Enugu East will manifest come 2023.”

    He thanked the chairman of Enugu state membership registration and revalidation committee, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, saying that his efforts has united members of the party in the state.

    “You met us as a united party and leaving us more united than we’ve been. We have quadrupled the number of our members all to your leadership. You have prepared the party in the state for election. We don’t have any rancour, we’re united in spirit and in pursuit for leadership of Enugu state.”

    Senator Zwingina earlier in his address said the party registered one hundred and eighty thousand, two hundred and ninety one members during the registration exercise, with three local government areas of Awgu, Nsukka and Igbo-Eze North taking the first, second and third position, respectively in the exercise.

    Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Hon. Ejike Eze, Retired Custom Comptroller, Chief Tony Mbah, Permanent Commissioner, Bida Polytechnic, Madam Kate Offor, Chairman Alvan Ikoku Polytechnic, Chief Regina Nwamaka Emena, Chairman APC Peace Committee, Ebubeagu Okafor, Former local government chairmanship candidates and other party leaders and supporters were present at the event.

     

    Source: www.everydaynewsngr.net

  • Breaking News: 2023-The Stand of Enugu PDP Students on the issue of Zoning

    Breaking News: 2023-The Stand of Enugu PDP Students on the issue of Zoning

     

    The Student Members of PDP in Enugu state Spanning across fourteen(14) tertiary campuses and seventeen(17) Local Government Areas, have issued their stand on zoning.

     

    In a statement made available to The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine on Monday 12th of April 2021, following the media warfare raging the polity of Enugu as a result of her Pioneer Patron’s statement on Saturday 10th of April 2021 at Ezeagu PDP LGA meeting, where the Member Representing Ezeagu Constituency stated that he will not support anyone that is against Zoning, the Leader of PDP Students Wing Enugu, Comr. Prince-will Ugwu on behalf of the over 30,000 members of the Structure, expressed their stand concerning 2023 elections.

     

    Thus;

    1. “We, have enjoyed relative political peace and serenity in Enugu as a result of the fair political coexistence which have been a product of Zoning and Power Brokerage amongst the three(3) senatorial districts in Enugu state. This is why PDP have remained in power till date.

     

    2. “That the Southeast Leader of our Great Party, H.E. Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi have continued to implement the ‘Youth O’clock Policy’. Therefore, we stand firmly with his leadership, through thick and thin.

     

    3. “It is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District to produce a Gubernatorial Candidate for Ndi-Enugu. Anyone against our stand is against us and shall be vehemently resisted.

     

    4. “We are ready and will work tirelessly to deliver whoever PDP Delegates issue the Gubernatorial Ticket for 2023 Elections, without fear to a logical and productive end.

     

    5. “Anybody that does not share PDP’s ideology of Equity and fairness in power brokerage should quietly join any other party and pursue their selfish interests.

     

    Announcer;

    Comr. Steve Nnaemeka Agbo

    State Public Relations Officer,

    PDP Students Wing, Enugu state.

  • Enugu 2023: Should Zoning Fly? (1)

    Enugu 2023: Should Zoning Fly? (1)

     

    By Prince Ejeh Josh

     

    Nigeria’s political atmosphere is already heating up. Camps are pitching tents. Consultations from the north to the south, and from the east to the west are already gaining momentum across the Niger. Symposia, birthday parties, lectures, titles, etc., are all being held and taken from different political bigwigs from distinct ethnic groups. Frantic attempts to exchange handshakes across the Niger are ongoing. All these gestures, we were told, were being bankrolled by political allies. Even a whole State House of Assembly has passed a resolution to compel a certain governor to succeed Mr. Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    Pressures are already mounting on some people to run. Whether these pressures are as a result of external forces or intra-introspection will become clearer as the political coastline crystalizes. Rumours, being the first political tool wrapped in propaganda are already flying high, driven by supporters of political heavyweights. There have been arguments on whose turn it is to steer the Nigeria statecraft. Interesting arguments are streaking out daily from sectional apologists and alleluia “boys”. This shows that interesting days are ahead.

    In every nook and cranny, different political formations are surreptitiously springing up from political gladiators. Establishments are aligning and realigning. New establishments are also positioning strategically to displace the old order, as each section, camp, ethnic group and zone is laying claim to the right to power.

    Unfolding events are revealing that the battle for the soul of 2023 in Nigeria is going to come with a sweeping effect. Many will be taken by surprise. Gladiators will be swept off by emerging political class. It will be a war that will be strategically fought and tactically won. This time, neither gun, machete, axe nor IED would be the determining weapons. It will be a game dictated by integrity, character, principle, established custom and practice.

    Interestingly, the most important and often preferred custom usually referred to nationwide has started causing rupture and uneasiness in some camps. From the national level to the state level, beneficiaries of this established and well-decorated custom at one time or the other have suddenly made a comeback to thwart it, and have the existence of the custom either denied or redefined to suit whatever reason that might be appeasing to their egocentric pursuit.

    Months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, and one of the “Shadow Ministers and a member of the Kaduna Mafia” in the government, Mr. Mamman Daura, had come out to condemn and rubbish the custom for which he fought and advocated for against the then Mr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. He, alongside President Buhari’s ardent supporters, had threatened revolution if the principle of “zoning” was not respected by the south.

    Between 2014 and 2015, it was predicted by the United States that Nigeria would cease to exist. However, the collective will of Nigerians prevailed, and Mr. Buhari of the northern enclave was elected President. The United States’ prediction kissed the rock. This prediction that went directly to the very foundation of Nigeria as a sovereign State could only be displaced by zoning; a gentlemanly agreement. There was a relatively peaceful and secure political atmosphere. Many hailed it as a spirit of zoning and constitutive democracy in action. For political watchers, this zoning principle, although unwritten, has ensured equity, justice, peace, and national unity.

    In 2020, when the then national Chairman of the All Progressive Congress and former Governor of Edo state, who himself was a gracious product of zoning, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, stood up against equity, justice and fairness on the pretext that his estranged godson had gone rascal and in breach of, perhaps, unspeakable anti-people’s agreement clandestinely reached, the people of Edo state wasted no time but quickly retired him from politics. In disbelief, he was given a bloody nose and plucked down from fame and glory.

    Today, the trend and the clamour from different quarters is a continuous call for power brokers to respect the democratic principle that allows power to rotate among the people; both majority and minority ethnic groups, for the purpose of enthroning justice, and assuring the spirit of belongingness.

    In recent times, leaders from different ethnic nationalities have been beckoning on the administration of President Buhari to consider a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction from the south eastern zone. Prominent figures from the Northern Elders Forum, Afenifere leaders, Middle belt leaders, and the Ijaw nation have lent a strong voice to the call for the south easterners to be considered for Equity and Justice sake.

    From the throe of the south east are sons and daughters of the zone making a strong case for the Igbo man to be unanimously nominated and elected President of the country come 2023. These people making this call include the high ranking Senator representing Enugu West senatorial zone, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and of course, the leadership of the Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo. Analysts have seen the recent agitation and mild unrest from the shore of the east as the resultant effect of marginalisation, abandonment, entrenched injustice and deviation from zoning.

    In a report by The Pacesetter Magazine Frontier Magazine, Chief Obaze Oseloka, a governorship aspirant in the forth coming Anambra state Governorship Election, like other Anambra concerned citizens, have been vehemently arguing for the governorship slot to be zoned to Anambra South. He hinged his support to equity and natural Justice. Every progressive society must come to term with the principle of democracy, of which zoning is a part.

    Of a particular interest about zoning arrangements is the role it has played in maintaining political equilibrium and stable order within the system in Enugu state. But recent developments in the state are becoming more interesting by the day as some of the greatest beneficiaries of the long established zoning and rotation of offices in the state among the three senatorial zones are beginning to question the established order. Quisling. To them, zoning has become archaic, out of tune with civilisation, and should not be allowed to fly by every right thinking individual. Ironically, these set of people, it would appear, have been championing and clamouring for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction based on the equitable zoning formula.

  • NIKE, AN UNDENIABLE FIRST OPTION TO CONSIDER IN THE ENUGU GUBERNATORIAL RACE COME 2023.

    NIKE, AN UNDENIABLE FIRST OPTION TO CONSIDER IN THE ENUGU GUBERNATORIAL RACE COME 2023.

     

    By E.A.GRAHAMS

     

    Strategically located in the choicest heart of Enugu urban. What you may call the heart of the hearts! Nike, a town caught in full in Enugu-east LGA and partially in Enugu North where they share the geopolitical categorization with Ndi Ngwo, is an identity of undeniable value and factor as it regards the componentials and constituentials of the Enugu of Enugu.

    Dating back from the Eastern, East-Central, Old Anambra era till date, Nike’s terrestrial endowment played, is playing and will continue to play the pheromonal attraction of what became the seat of government, the developmental resources and the sine qua non of what became what we call Enugu metropolis today.
    The liberality, hospitality and accommodating spirit and endowment of Ụmụ Nike is such that is unparalleled and such without which we won’t have a space and people to constitute the Enugu urban and such that ought not be taken for granted!
    Understandably you get some of the lands you got from us with your money but matter of fact, there are a thousand and one communities out there that won’t part with their estates even with your bullion van full of money. When you came to us, we gave you the land at a considerably affordable rate.Infact you got the land at what I may call “nwanne nga jidelum” rate. You built your government offices,industries,schools,hospitals and what have you and when a Nike man approaches you for a help or a job or comes for a political post which of course is our right,you mockingly and deceptively tell him that an average Nike man is comfortable or that he is clueless or is lazy and cannot work.This is horrible and poignantly appalling to think in that light and I would like to sternly and vehemently correct that earth-eroding impression because it never does exist and never can count on the countable factorials and binomials of existential existence!
    If a man from Nsukka,from Udi,from Oji,from Ezeagu, from Ime Nkanu, from Awgu and others can come to the Enugu urban peacefully and benevolently given out for development by Ụmụ Nike for the development you see today and get it without deception,mockery,denial or sheer ‘Konukonkolity’ and Cockerel ‘nzupunzulity’ I see no reason why a Nike man with his amerritorious “banyi bu anyi no” confession and inclination cannot be given the prime choice to co-exist, co-possess and co-inherit the Enugu heritage of employment,appointments and choice political posts.
    Mark this and get it ventral and sacral cum sacrosancual,an average Nikeman knows,believes and is no longer comfortable with the “abia na nzuko Enugu,azupu Nike n’okwe” aberration and anomaly and we have vowed assiduously to stand ike and dike to grab what belongs to us come 2023 as it regards the occupancy of the Lion’s Building.
    Someone may want to whisper from the corner “but you currently occupy the legislative and the judiciary positions of the state,are you Oliver Twist” and I will tell that person come to Nikeland to see and prove to the world if at all we get the dividend of occupying such seats. Matter of fact, I don’t ask for a crocodile and get a lizard in its stead you expect me to go dancing uhlalala that I have received what I asked for. When I ask for a crocodile, admittedly I ask for a reptile which holds same roof with a lizard by biological classification but I don’t ask for a feeble reptile Lizzy baby. I ask for the AGU of a reptile in all its potency of call and tall. An AGUiyi is the chief of it all and historically I’d have you tell me if any Nikeman has for once occupied that AGU of a HOUSE (The Lion’s Building) even with all our defeated tortoise-in-a-shell chant of “Banyi bu anyi no”(This is our home) and the reality of it that here where things happen in Enugu is unarguably “be ndi Nike” We get cheered or I beg your pardon jeered with that “konkom okpundiezelity” of “Banyi bu anyi no” leaving us dancing in euphoria that indeed we got it,it’s our home while those who by “cielo y Tierra” conference know fully that “ebea abughi be ha” and confess it equally will nicodemously sweep away all the resources, entitlements, appointments, posts and positions to their people leaving Ụmụ Nike who as a matter of destiny should get the best with the worst or negligibly nothing. Let me quickly certify and satisfy as well as clarify that those “we” in quote of Ndị Nike were the Ndị Nikes of yesteryear, our fathers and mothers who by the virtue of our historical nature say yes to everything whether good or bad “ka udo chia”.Yes, admittedly that’s a Nike for you par excellence but make no mistake that that version of Nike that says yes whether good or bad “ka udo wee chia” was a Nike in the then.The Nike in the now is equally a Nike that confesses and aligns to the “ka udo chia” philosophy but unfortunately we are not the type that allow the excreta of “onye otoro afo osisa” through our throat hook, line and sinker without questioning. We are the Nikes that say give us what we deserve to get “ka udo chia” and when you don’t do so, we keep asking until justice jugs from the jury to Juliana. Martin Luther Kings Junior said and I quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
    What happens when you tamper with the naturally projecting justice tentacles, retraction becomes an impossibility.

    It has also come to us the emergent Nike folks protus notus that when the “orube onye rubere anyi bu UmuNkanu” that constitute the Enugu East Senatorial Zone, our brothers who are from Ime Nkanu who we the elder of course are the ones to guide or choose before they follow, will always, like a tortoise clever game to other animals say “Nkea bu nke anyi; anyi bu anyi anyi” anyi adi akpa oke”and with such a trick, sweep the “orube onye o choro umu Nkanu nile” to their camp leaving our Nike folks as “ndi na-ekpo awuya” collecting crumbs from under the table where they ought to be in control of the table. This, the emergents will no longer take. Let no one bring it to the hearing of onye Nike that if the Ndị ime Nkanu choose,they choose for Ndị Nike. This was what our patriarchs and matriarchs were deceived with and it never did favour them an acorn and we the emergents say “na anyi ekwegu na nke anyi kwere ekwe imeeno ngi”. Nike bu oche Nkanu, we have at least allowed our younger siblings go the first time and the second time. We are indeed peaceful, peaceable and accommodating folks to have allowed those we by virtue of age should choose before them to be going for us and going for us at no gain for us.The liberality, resilience and the “hafuo nya” disposition of NdiNike long exhibited to our brothers from the other Nkanu should be the more reason they should at this material time (ENUGU 2023 FOR NDI-NIKE) say “biakarhi onye izhi oo oka ne ñh,ngwa” come and go for us.
    Let for once umunne anyi from the greater Nkanu see the reason to concede to us what belongs to us “ha ji jigbegbeshie ike”

    Opiatazulugazugabiama! Hafukanumu eka na mmadu abugu efhi!

    And for those who think that Nikes are clueless, aknwoledgic, uncoordinated, unorganised and backward, it just got to be a me and only me and thousands of you in contest for hours to prove a roof for you! And by the time I invite another Nike man and a third and a fourth to stand by me to prove your crayfish a fire desire, the entire mundo will see that you have for years out of baseless and untraceable statistics been denying an undeniable Neo-Intellectual Kings Empire(NIKE) of “onatalh chi he”

    To cap it all, let me give this truism in Italian “il mondo di Enugu senza Nike in circulo è il mondo senza existenzia” (The Enugu world without Nike in circle is a world without existence)
    Orube onye, ya rube anyị! Égbè bere Ugo bere.
    Let no man ask who is a Nike man to be brought to state leadership discourse! Who is he that is bold enough to prove that he has more of Enugu blood flowing in his circulatory than NdiNike?

    Shi omashikwanh!

    E.A.GRAHAMS writes from Nwefhuo Umuenwene Iji Nike. He is the founder of Neo-Pacific Renaissance (NPR), a national political movement & Foreign Language Speakers Society.