Enugu 2015: Consensus good for credibility of candidates — Ezemaon october 25, 2014 at 10:39 pm in politics Facebook ShareTwitter Share By Chinenyeh Ozor In this interview, a frontline politician and National Secretary, Enugu Unity Forum, Dr. Chuka Ezema, bares mind on what played out in the emergence of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a ranking member of the House of Representatives, on the PDP consensus candidate among eleven aspirants jostling to occupy Enugu State number one position. What do you think played out in the Enugu North stakeholders meeting with Governor Sullivan Chime for the adoption of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as consensus candidate of PDP in Enugu State? Chime, Ugwuanyi and Ekeremadu What happened in Enugu State PDP was a clear manifestation of a political graduation from lopsided governance and democracy taking the role of true representation. The stakeholders in Enugu North in particular and the state in general took a critical and decisive position on the governance of the state. On Democracy Day of May 29, 2011, Governor Chime made a declaration that the governorship ticket of the state had been zoned to Enugu North for equity, justice and fair play. The declaration was the decision of the stakeholders meeting in that year. It was when Enugu Unity Forum met the governor in December 2011; he said the declaration was not new. During the 2011 nomination process in the country, many people did not want members of the National Assembly to go back, but a consensus was reached to give them one last chance to wind down. It was in the same meeting that it was agreed that since the PDP took the realm of governance in the state, and Enugu East has governed for eight years through Chimaroke Nnamani, while Enugu West is taking its turn through Chime who is concluding his tenure, the state leadership in 2015 should go to the North. Chime made it clear that justice, equity and fair play demand that the gubernatorial position be moved to Enugu North. It was on that premise the decision was taken which Chime stood his ground to the test of time. History will continue to bear eloquent testimony to Chime’s good governance. What do you think that endeared Chime to the people? The May 29, 2011 declaration played a role to endear the governor to the people. Enugu Unity Forum stands for good governance and the basic ingredients for good governance are equity, justice and fair play. One cannot be talking of good governance when a section of the country and state are being marginalized. Chime remains an epitome of good governance as a result of the laudable achievements he has to his credit. Credibility and excellence, rooted in governance was why Enugu Unity Forum and the entire state identify with his vision and mission. Are you convinced that Enugu North was marginalized all these years? Of course yes. In, the distribution of power, Enugu State remains the rudiment of good governance. Towards the end of Chimaroke Nnamani administration as governor, Enugu North had expected that the guber will be zoned to the area, but the then governor decided otherwise in the name of the PDP structure. As things stand, does it mean no other aspirant can obtain the PDP nomination form? Zik once said that the minority can have its say but the majority have their way. Any person who in his opinion does not want to respect the decision of the majority can try his luck; that is the beauty of democracy. Enugu Unity Forum, after wide consultations, sent the profiles of all the aspirants to the governor, who met with leaders in other senatorial zones of the state. Could you tell us how Hon. Ugwuanyi was adjudged the best among equals? There were 12 aspirants from Enugu North. Nine of the 12 aspirants stepping down for Ugwuanyi was a clear manifestation of honesty and credibility. The governor did not lobby any of them to step down. Instead, he encouraged them to step up, but with a caveat, one person will be the Lion Building occupier in 2015. The governor did not want to sell dummy but needed someone who would improve on his achievements. Consensus candidate would remain the most democratic ever witnessed in the country. Sullivan was very clear after the selection, saying the state has decided as a family to settle for Hon. Ugwuanyi as a consensus candidate but any other person is free to obtain the party form to try his luck. PDP BoT and other stakeholders adopted Jonathan for 2015. Senator Ayogu Eze’s press conference after the selection of Hon. Ugwuanyi was a minority opinion. If he was so aggrieved, it can be settled at the primaries. Most of the aspirants were jokers and pretenders. Ugwuanyi was the best within the zone and across the state, facts are sacred but truth must be told. Those in the minority should air their views, it is natural in politics.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 07:54:25 +0000
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