From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
The senator representing Enugu East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, at the weekend expressed his unflinching support to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration in Enugu state. He gave assurance that the ‘Ebeano political structure in Enugu state will stand by Governor Ugwuanyi in producing his successor and other candidates of Enugu state PDP ,in 2023 general elections.
Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who governed Enugu state from 1999-2023 gave this hints when he led thousands of members of ‘Ebeano political family of Enugu PDP, on solidarity visit to Governor Ugwuanyi on Saturday, September 19, at Government House, Enugu.
Senator Nnamani said he acknowledges the fact that Governor Ugwuanyi revived his political career after he has gone to America on political retirement, said he remains loyal to Governor Ugwuanyi and recognizes him as his boss.
Senator Nnamani stated, “I am pledging my total loyalty. You are my boss! You are my boss! I am thanking you(Governor Ugwuanyi) on how you recalled me from United States where I have gone on political retirement. I am thanking you. I am also thanking God’.
“We are here to thank and complement our leader. We are not chasing anybody away from Ebeano political family. In Ebeano, everybody is working for himself or herself. Ebeano signifies balancing of interests, applying leverages to guarantee interest.
Senator Nnamani described politics as a serious business, stating in as much as they have bestowed the new leadership of Ebeano political family on Governor Ugwuanyi, the group in all ramifications will work round the clock to ensure that all candidates of PDP in Enugu state, come 2023 are the choice of Governor Ugwuanyi.
His words, ”Anywhere you ask us to go, we will go. If you (Ugwuanyi) ask us to stay back, we will stay. Politics is a serious business.”
Nnamani said that with the support of Governor Ugwuanyi, both Elders wing of Ebeano political movement, Youth wing, Women wing, Ebeano babes etc, will be established in every political ward in Enugu state, as a strategy of ensuring that the structure produces the candidates of PDP in next elections.
Governor Ugwuanyi who was highly elated stated, “Today’s visit to show solidarity is akin to family reunion as I see my friends and associates of old, political associates, business friends and indeed my peers in the streets of Enugu while growing up.
“The event of today is a most humbling experience. It challenges us to a deeper reflation and further reinforces our commitment to serve Ndi Enugu.”
Previous speakers who included Hon Frank Nweke (Jnr), a former Minister of Foreign Affairs Some House of Reps members from Enugu state led by Hon Patrick Asadu, Speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi,etc has applauded how their political career was breed under Ebeano structure founded by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi, for accepting to stir the new mantle of leadership of the group.
Conspicuously missing at the event were other Senators in the national assembly from Enugu state(both current and former senators),who also passed through the Ebeano political tutelage in Enugu state PDP. They are the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Professor Ike Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West senatorial district, Senator Chuka Utazi, representing Enugu North Senatorial district, Senator Gil Nnaji, whom Senator Chimaroke Nnamani defeated in the primaries from his bid as Enugu East district senator.
Other political tutelages of Ebeano political family in Enugu who did not attend the solidarity visit to Governor Ugwuanyi were ex-governor Sullivan Chime and Senator Ayogu Eze. Though both aspired for elective positions during 2019 general elections under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), but there are speculations that they are likely to return to PDP.The speculation became ripe in Enugu at the weekend as ex-governor Chime visited Senator Chimaroke Nnamani at his Orjiagu Agbani village home on Friday, September 18,barely 24 hours before the Ebeano family solidarity visit to Governor Ugwuanyi on Saturday, September 19.
Political analysts asserts that Senator Ekweremadu’s absence stems on his indifference to starting the unconstitutional zoning of Enugu state governorship seat all over again from Enugu East senatorial district on the argument that the district has been favoured more than the two other zones.
It was gathered that Senator Ekweremadu belongs to the class of Enugu state political stakeholders who are advocating that “Greater Awgu” cultural clan of Enugu West district should be allowed the opportunity of producing a civilian governor of Enugu state for the first time, in 2023.
