Enugu guber: Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is right choice –Igwesi

Ikemba U.S.A Igwesi was a member of the House of Repre­sentatives from 2003 to 2007.
Before his election to Na­tional Assembly, he was the leader of Enugu State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003. In this inter­view, he speaks on the recent adoption of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi by the PDP Nsukka Stakeholders as a consensus candidate for 2015 governorship election in Enugu and the ability of Chime’s succes­sor to sustain the tempo of gover­nance in Enugu State. Excerpts:

What is your take on the adop­tion of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as a consensus candidate?

It is indeed a welcome development. This singular political development has erased completely our political headache. This will definitely assuage the fears in some quarters that Gov. Chime might make the mistake of nominating a succes­sor that may not be known to people and accepted by the people of Enugu State. Presently in Enugu, after the news of the adoption filtered the air, people started rejoicing in all quarters, politicians and non politicians alike. Business men and Market Women, students and people from all walks of life, received the news of the adoption with funfare. To be honest to you, Governor Chime has knowingly and unknowingly bequeathed peace, development and continuity to the people of the state by this singular position. Ug­wuanyi’s candidature will create bridges across the state because he is detribalized and ubiquitous. In summary, giving the people of Enugu state a dynamic, humble and people loving young man in the per­son of Ugwuanyi, stands as the greatest legacy bequeathed to the people of the state by Gov. Chime in recent times.

Some stakeholders are accusing Gov. Chime of playing out a script on the choice of Ugwuanyi, as a consensus candidate from Nsukka Zone of the state. How do you view this line of reasoning?

It is a big blasphemy. Because the gov­ernor convened a meeting of stakeholders from the zone, including all those who indicated interest to contest and allowed them to brainstorm and cross-fertilise ideas on who will eventually succeed him.

The governor, if he was interested in single handedly picking his successor, he had the leverage and he is at will to choose any of his cabinet members. But he did not do that, buttressing the fact that he has a large heart to throw open the contest for the benefit of Enugu State. His predecessors had a different style during their time. Gov. Chime believes in consultations, consensus and not imposi­tion of candidate, irrespective of the level of the political position. If Gov. Chime hates Enugu State, even though he left indelible footprint in the annals of time, he would not have allowed the people to choose a man who will not only consoli­date the gains of his achievement, but a person who will also raise the develop­mental bar in the state.

Do you think he has the experi­ence to govern the state, if eventu­ally he is elected?

He is a man who left an indelible mark in the private sector as an insurance guru, a three time member of Federal House of Representatives, a Masters degree holder of over four disciplines in notable Nigerian Universities. As a two-time Chairman of House Committee on Marine transport, one of the choice committees of the House must always have solid and deep rooted experience to preside even a country. He had undertak­en several and challenging assignments from PDP National Working Committee in search for peace in the party in recent times. His acceptance in the state can be linked to his magnanimity, generosity, humane nature and most importantly he is God fearing. You can now agree with me that he has more than enough experi­ence to govern the state to an enviable standard. Having been in both private and public sector, he can be said to have carved in Ivory and also in Wood. So, his ubiquity in several areas of life stands him out as an experienced politician with sparking track records.

From your vantage position, what informed his emergence as a consensus candidate?

I believe it is all about his person, his character, his disposition to all man­ner of persons irrespective of age and status. His ability to touch lives even as a private person, all these accounted to his emergence, as a consensus candidate. My brother, in life, one has to be free with all manner of people, listen to them and share their problems with them, so that at any time, these positive attributes will speak for you. This is the case of Hon. Ugwuanyi in Enugu state.

Those who know him closely were not surprised that he emerged. After all, he was the only person who did not openly inform anybody that he was interested in succeeding Chime. His character and at­titude did that for him. Politics, they say is a trade that has processes and proce­dures; it is a give and take thing. “Gbu­rugburu” as he is fondly called means in english language means “Ubiquity”. His generosity and spirit of philanthropy earned him the name. So, in politics, one should remember that the ability to lubricate your political structures at all times will always elevate any politician. Gburugburu is not a hero in Diaspora, he is indeed a hero at home. I think there are lessons for politicians to learn from his emergence.

What is the future of the state under him?

The future of the state under him if eventually he is elected is bright and promising. Enugu State is expected to have it right like we are having under Chime. The state is going to witness several developmental projects. The state under him will definitely have a turnaround maintenance in all sectors of the economy. We are going to enjoy a de­tribalized young man who will put smiles on the faces of both poor and the rich. His penchant for sharing problems with people will definitely increase and multi­ply. His experience in National Assembly and in Private sector will definitely come to bear in his administration of the state.

Senator Ayogu Eze and few oth­ers were not happy with the way Ugwuanyi emerged. What is your reaction to that?

Enugu North Senatorial Zone is blessed with great people who have provided leadership in different sectors of the country. They should not joke or toil with this opportunity. They should close ranks and stabilize the polity. As wise men, they should swing into action with every seriousness and tact. And not to create the opportunity of running a divided house which may trigger the interest of dissident contestants from other zones.

Senator Ayogu Eze is qualified to con­test and be Governor. He has all it takes, the intellect and also the experience, but the position is for one person and a man like Ugwuanyi with his large heart will always take any concession to his heart and reward accordingly. So that they can all run the race under one person, to enable them present him to the party as the flag bearer in a big political event. I know Ugwuanyi, Ayogu and others will in no distant time close ranks and work together as brothers knowing full well that political business is endless and enormous.

How do you see Chime’s posi­tion on zoning?

That was the best political decision. The political engineering of Enugu State is skewed towards fairness, justice and equity. Enugu stands on a tripod, and what that means is that Enugu State has three Senatorial Zones, namely: Enugu East, Enugu West and Enugu North. Enugu East had their own share of the slot under Chimaroke, who governed Enugu State for eight years. Enugu West is on the throne for seven (7) years and will round off by 2015, then equity, fairness and justice demands that Enugu North should produce the next governor of the state, so the governor’s position on zoning, synchronizes with the position of any right thinking Enugu person on zon­ing. This is the best political arrangement for better political delivery and under­standing in Enugu.

What is your advice to stake­holders from Enugu chapter of the party?

My advice to stakeholders from Enugu chapter of the party is to accept without delay the candidature ofHon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and in addition broker peace and truce to ensure better understanding and acceptance of Ugwuanyi’s candida­ture by all and sundry in Enugu North because his candidature will reduce work for PDP in the state, because of the level of Ugwuanyi’s acceptance by the people of the state, especially the politicians and non-politicians alike.

What is your advice to Hon. Ug­wuanyi if he eventually takes over from Chime next year?

If he emerges the flag bearer of PDP 2015 gubernatorial election, which with God he will definitely emerge, my advice to him is to continue to be detribalized; he should be a bridge builder and not somebody who will concentrate develop­ment in one zone. He should understand that he belongs to all zones in the state and that is his political audience. He should close ranks with other contestants from the zone in the interest of peace, which creates foundation for develop­ment and unity. He should continue from where his predecessor stopped. The gains of Chime’s Administration should be sustained and advanced on. Enugu people are not ready to go lower than the standards already created by Chime’s ad­ministration. So, he should gird his loins and get ready for the serious assignment of administering a complex society like Enugu.