The battle for the soul of Enugu BY ONJUORA ODO - OPINION ONE saying goes that “those who do not understand the rhythm of political panjandrums end up being beaten silly like the drums themselves”. Literarily speaking, people who do not enjoy the smell of onions end up being choked by the nauseating aroma. For those who have closely observed the political events in Enugu State in the recent times, it is apt to say that the stage is set for a fierce political battle among the political gladiators who had, prior to Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,member of the House of Representatives’ nomination, been positioning themselves for the guber job. This piece is neither to shower rhapsodies of encomiums on the person of Senator Ayogu Eze who has been insistent on open primaries but to extol the virtues of Gov. Chime who has despite all odds lived to make good his promise to revert power to Enugu North Senatorial district. Aside keeping his promise, Chime has performed creditably as well as a two-term Governor of Enugu State with ample evidence of visionary, legendary and exemplary leadership. A latin expression says “yes ipsa loquito” which means that the fact speaks for itself. Whichever way one may look at it, the point remains that we are confronted with a situation of “fierce urgency of now, to borrow the words of Martin Luther King “we are now faced with the fact, my friend, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Over the breached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, too late. There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance. In this current quagmire we find our selves as occasioned by a fierce battle of supremacy over who occupies Lion Building come 2015, I dream it imperative to implore every well meaning wawa man to pause, ponder and ask questions on where we are missing the road. Quite frankly, the political atmosphere has been electrified with tension now that power will revert to Nsukka Senatorial zone. More recently, the tension has heightened with the recent nomination of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the flag bearer of our great party by Nsukka stakeholders and the final stamp of approval by Gov. Chime. It must be said that the womb of history is loaded with a long-awaited child of circumstance. With all due respect, all the political gladiators angling for the guber job are all qualified and indeed, gentlemen in their own rights. However, the decision of Nsukka stakeholders to nominate Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to fly the party’s flag is a total demonstration of a sound judgment driven by logic and objectivity rather narrow selfish interest. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi popularly called “gburu gburu” is a name that rings bell locally, socially, politically. Gburu gburu, which means all rounder, has got the requisite qualities and experience in political, social, administrative and business circles. His nomination as the flag bearer of PDP is designed by divine instrumentality as he was never at any time seen as a frontliner in the guber race. He is educated, has got the exposure in the workings of governance. He knows the terrain and the already existing structure. He is better positioned as a 21st century leader who combines philanthropy, experience and hard work to transform the coal city into a modern, prosperous, industrial democracy and egalitarian mega city. In the light of the prevailing circumstance, I offer this advice. I wish to advise that the current political battle rocking Enugu State leaves us with few choices and we must seize the moment to “restructure” our dear state. Let me say without fear of contradiction that it takes courage to accept the obvious when it is convenient to follow the status quo. It even takes more courage to put the obvious in motion when we can hide under convenience of accepted norms: Therefore, I commend Gov. Chime for accepting and implementing the principle of “triangular equlibruim otherwise called Enugu charter of equity. I commend for you for assuming a neutral posture as Nsukka stakeholders nominated Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as your successor. We wish you a successful outing in the upper chambers come 2015. Source: Sun
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 11:14:15 +0000
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