ENUGU NORTH SENATORIAL ZONE: WHY WE ADOPT IFEANYI UGWUANYI AS OUR LEADER

ENUGU NORTH SENATORIAL ZONE: WHY WE ADOPT IFEANYI UGWUANYI AS OUR LEADER.

(Enugu North Future Leaders Forum)

During the scramble for the creation of Wawa state from the old Anambra state, it took the concerted effort from leaders of Wawa(derogatory name given to Enugu and Ebonyi) zone; the likes of late sage Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh, Igwe Charles Abangwu, Igwe Edward Nnaji, Chief D.O Nnamani and host of others who shuttled to and from Dodan Barracks to gain the audience of the then military leaders in the country.

Their struggle eventually paid off when Enugu State was created in the year 1991.

The above, though brief passage underscores the significance of a zone having a leader or leaders. The leader, be it political, religious or otherwise, serves as the bridge, the threshold upon which the fate of the masses lies in. A leadership vacuum can mar any setting. For instance, in Enugu North senatorial zone, it has been an endless wait for the emergence of a political leader.

This, as evidenced, has continued to rob the zone of some certain entitlements as per the dividends of democracy. 

In expatiation of my claim above, Enugu North senatorial zone has, since the return of democracy, been unable to form a formidable front like other zones of the state. In Enugu West and East for instance, they have their respective leaders which has made manifest in the numerous federal appointments going to the zones. Without much ambiguity, the likes of Mr Frank Nweke Jnr (former minister of information), Prof Bart Nnaji(former minister of power), Mr Geoffrey Onyeama(current Foreign Affairs minister) and host of others from the state that held positions in federal parastatals came from west and eastern senatorial zones of the state.

That no son nor daughter of Enugu North senatorial zone has been able to be appointed into any juicy federal parastatal may not be unconnected to the dearth of political leadership scenario. The concept of 'Igbo enwe eze' seems to be in full practice in the zone. No one is willing to recognize the other as the leader, leaving a great vacuum in the leadership position of the zone. During the Odimma Nsukka project held few years ago, many people from the zone backed out of the project under the suspicion that the governor of the state is involved in the project. Those that did, were on the alter of difference in political ideology and allegiance to the opposition political parties.

To highlight the 'Igbo enwe eze' scenario in Enugu North, during similar projects organized by Enugu West and East senatorial zones, the project wasn't only endorsed by everyone,  but was financially supported by the leaders of the zone from various political fronts. Enugu North zone has, like a sheep without a shepherd, wandered and strayed into different directions.

It is on this premise that we the Enugu North Future Leaders Forum, an auspice of youths across the length and width of the zone rise to unequivocally adopt his Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State as the political leader of the zone and also endorse his senatorial ambition to represent the zone at the red chambers. The adoption and endorsement of governor Ugwuanyi became imperative as we can no longer afford to wallow in political directionlessness.

At the negotiation table, Enugu North senatorial district does not have a representative. Without disregard to the efforts of the likes of the Nwodos, distinguished senator Ayogu Eze, Dr Pat Asadu and others, having Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a three-term member of the green chamber and two-term governor at the Senate, Enugu North zone will be rightfully and adequately represented at the negotiation table which is a recipe to open up the floodgate of federal engagement that has eluded the zone. The national assembly is not a place for political experiment but for serious political business. We are hopeful that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Senate, will explore his rich political contacts for the betterment of the zone.

We are not throwing out weight behind Ugwuanyi just because he is the governor of the state, but how he has been able to keep the state running in the face of harsh global economic realities. His decision to include youths in his Government is an indication that he is also building men for future leadership positions, an unprecedented simultaneous development of human and infrastructure in the history of the state.

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