ENUGU GUBER 2015: A PHILOSOPHER LEADER ENDORSED, PDP CANDIDATE. A saying in Latin goes thus: ‘‘Salus populi suprema lex’’. It means that the welfare of the people is the supreme law. This saying has found application in Enugu State today. As Saint Christopher once remarked, if you doubt my ability, behold my works. If you doubt Chime’s competence, please go to Enugu and see his achievements which are reassuring testimonies of his competence. One secret of success of his administration is prudent management of available resources. He introduced frugality, transparency and integrity to the management of public resources, which no doubt, upsets the beneficiaries of old order but gladdens the hearts of the helpless and hapless majority. In the second quarter of Chime’s second term in office, he told Enugu State people that he would hand over to an Nsukka man in line with the rotational arrangement and repeatedly reassured us that he would not renege in his promise, and was able to make good his promise last Friday. In the year 161 A.D, the great Greek political thinker Plato wrote that men would not enjoy good leadership until a philosopher becomes a king or a king becomes a Philosopher. To him, a philosopher is a man who is interested in the eternal problems of his subjects. Such a man would not care for personal glory and gains but would seek only the joy and happiness of his people. What the immortal Plato suggested one day long ago came to pass on Friday, the 26th day of September, 2014 when the good people of Enugu State unanimously endorsed a monumental and pragmatic figure, the RTH. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as PDP candidate for next year’s governorship election. On successfully and unblemishlly completing two terms of eight years in the National Assembly, he thought that it was time for him to face his private business fully. How mistaken? He could not finish telling his wife his next line of action when a delegation from our constituency visited him and urged him to go back to the House of Reps and consolidate more on his amazingly remarkable developmental steps. Although the call was in recognition of his impressive performance; palpable pedigree and glittering precedents, it has with it some daunting challenges to grapple with as he was taken unawares. Instead of turning down the offer, he braved the odds and took up the gauntlet. His supportive darling wife was a serious beacon of strength as she kept pepping him up by reminding him of God’s promise in 1Cor.10:13 that He will not keep His people where His grace will not keep them and that He will not allow any situation Honourable is not prepared for to come to him, he then gracefully accepted the offer or rather took up the gauntlet. In less than eight months to finish his 3rd term in the National Assembly, he has been picked by the people of Enugu State to serve them in a more exalted position as their governor. No wonder Winston Churchill said that ‘‘Nothing succeeds like success and responsibility is the price of competence’’. The jubilation that trailed his emergence which could be likened to the type that greeted Jesus resurrection and the crowd which followed him home from the venue of the meeting which also could be likened to the type that trailed Jesus during his triumphant entry into Jerusalem is an indication that he has endeared himself so much to the heart of all. The highest propaganda is performance- Abraham Lincoln. His achievements are amazing that he now has many appellations. Some People now call him ekwu eme; succour giver, pathfinder, trail blazer, a man of legendry generosity, a monumental figure, a pragmatic do gooder, a veritable man of timber and calibre, an ideal statesman, a record breaker, a man of impact, a man of purpose and vision, a father and people’s general and some say he is a man God released about four decades ago to impact our generation positively, change, bless, re-build and transform our lives, and to give hope to the next generation and preserve the essence of truth. And some even say that the day he was born, hope was born with him as his twin brother. Hope of joy, hope of survival, hope of progress and hope of enduring emancipation. When Charles de Gaulle said that politics is too serious a matter to be left for politicians, he was in other words suggesting that charismatic goal getters like RTH Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should be involved in politics. The raison d’être of politics is the common good and the common good is a function of goodwill and co-operation of all individuals within the polity. Our leaders need to be helped to discharge the duties of their offices very well. They need help because, like all human beings, their abilities are limited. They do not have all the answers to the many questions of governance, hence his incursion into politics. He was formerly into private business and instead of standing aloof and blame politicians as though they were above mistakes, he put on his boot and entered the political field and since 2003, he has been making good his political promises. The highest reward for a job well-done is the opportunity to do more. Like the Biblical Ebebemlech whom God saw what he did and appreciated it. Through Jeremiah, God gave a quintuple guarantee of salvation. God said’’ I will deliver you; you will not be given into the hand of your enemies, I shall furnish you with an escape, by the sword, you will not be killed and you will certainly come to have your soul as a spoil- Jer.39:16-18. Similarly but conversely, our people saw his good works and have decided to give him a high assignment. It is an obvious fact that Chime will heroically relinquish power come May 29th, 2015. The death of a chief priest is a thing of joy to his successor and to the laity if the successor is a man with high leadership quotient. We are happy because we know he will not disappoint us. There goes the popular saying that ‘’birds of a feather flock together’’ RTH Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has shown that he like an eagle is an exception to this saying for many of his contemporaries are still battling with inertia, and he has achieved brilliant feat of a charismatic trail blazer that he is which has recommended him for grater assignment. To our dear able and capable Sullivan Chime, history will be kind to you forever. You are integrity-filled and a man of his word. Charm strikes the sight but love wins the soul. Your love has won our souls. Your leadership style will be remembered with overwhelming nostalgia. The ninth beatitude says that those who give bountifully and without string attached shall not suffer ingratitude. Nsukka people will eternally be grateful to God for giving another lover of Nsukka like the late Zik of Africa. We have never seen a leader who is responsive and sensitive to our plights like you. Thank you for your choice of a successor and never you be bothered by the betrayal resignation of former PDP Chairman. You have chosen an embodiment of simplicity and humility; one who has no air of arrogance and pride but believes in fairness and openness. God is always on the side of the upright and He will overturn and overturn and overturn you in Jesus name, Amen. I know you will always be handy to give advice to him when needed as a true captain does not abandon the ship even when about to sink. May your balance of days on earth be the most pleasurable part of your holiday on earth. All the best! From Onyeke G Onyeke, Imufu Enugu [email protected]/08032055823
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:43:44 +0000