From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The former Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Enugu West senatorial district in the National assembly for the fourth term,Senator Ike Ekweremadu was conspicuosly missing at a unity rally organised by the stalwarts of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP),in his senatorial district,meant to demonstrate their support for the next civilian Governor of Enugu state in 2023,after Governor Ugwuanyi, to emerge from Enugu East senatorial district of the state.The ralky was held on Saturday,August 7,at Awgu Council headquarters.
Also found wanting was Hon Toby Okechukwu,who is representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency axis of Enugu West senatorial district in the House of representatives for the thirdbterm.
No reason was given for their absence neither were they represented in the rally which had Governor Ugwuanyi, as it’s special guest of honour.
It was gahered that Senator Ekweremadu who by his status is the PDP political leader in Enugu West senatorial district and Hon Toby Okechukwu,were engaged in a diferent publc function within Awgu town,whereas the Enugu West district rally was held at Awgu local government headquarters.
The AUTHORITY checks revealed that Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Hon Toby Okechukwu belong to the creme of Enugu state political stalwarts, who are arguing that for the sake of equity,justice and fairplay that the’ GreaterAwgu’ axis of Enugu West senatorial district should be alliwed the opportunity to produce the next civilian governor of Enugu state in 2023.
They anchor their reason on the fact that ex Governor Sullivan Chime is the only Civilian governor that have emerged from Enugu West senatorial district against the backdrop that Chief Jim Nwobodo,late Chief C.C.Onoh and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, all come from different council areas under Enugu East senatorial district. Therefore the zoning and rotation principle for 2023 should start from Enugu West senatorial district, to favour Greater Awgus axis of the zone, which have never produced a civilian governor in the past..
But the convener of the Enugu West unity rally held on Saturday,August 7. at Awgu local government headquarters,Senator Ben Collins Ndu,said he consulted several political stakeholders from Enugu West senatorial district to initiate a befitting political agenda for the district and Enugu state generally,ahead of the 2023 general election,with special focus on which of the zone will produce the successor of Governor Ugwuanyi.Thus the rally was themed,”IFE EMELU NMA : Enugu West unity rally for Gburu Gburu” Senator Ndu said he recalled that there is a standing rule on zoning/rotation principle on Enugu governirship seat adopted by the Peoples Democtratic Party(PDP), which is the domineering ruling party in Enugu state,on July 7,2013.He it was agreed that piwer should rotate to Enugu North senatorial district(Nsukka zone) and thereafter Enugu East senatorial district in sequence. He said he seconded the motion which was moved by Hon Dubem Onyia.
Accirding to him,those present at the meeting were the firmer PDP party chairman in Enugu state,Dr Vita Abba, the then Governor Sullivan Chime, the then Speaker of Enugu state house of assembly,Barr Eugene Odoh, ,Barr Charles Egumgbe,the pioneerchairman of Enugu state PDP, among others.
He said the agreement neccesditated the transit of piower from Enugu West senatorial district at the end of Sullivan Chime tenure to Enugu North senatorial district, of which him(Governor Ugwuanyi) is the benefactor,and pleaded with Governor Ugwuanyi not to alliw distractions from some people to didrupt him from handing over the state leadership to domebody from Enugu East senatorial district at the end of his tenure.
Senatir Ndu told Governor Ugwuanyi that the people of Enugu West senatorial district are in total support of the quest that he should choose his successor from Enugu East senatorial district. His words, “What we are saying in Enugu West Senatorial District is that in Enugu State, governorship position rotates among the three senatorial districts. You (Ugwuanyi) are a beneficiary of the motion I seconded that the governorship seat should rotate to Enugu North Senatorial District. The motion was amended by Dr. Charles Egumgbe that after Enugu North Senatorial District, it would be the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District. The amendment was adopted by the Caucus at that meeting”, Senator Ndu said while displaying the minutes of the meeting.
Other speakers including Profesdor Chinefu Nebo,Msjor Nze(rtd).the state deputy Governor,Hon Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo,who hails from Ezeagu Council area of Enugu state,concurred to the speechbif the convener,Senator Ben Collins Ndu.
In cortoboration were all the serving state legislators in the state house of assembly from Enugu West senatorial district,all the commisdioners, serving special and senior special assistants to the Governor Ugwuanyi, the five local government chairmen if Aninri,Awgu,Ezeagu,Oji River and Udi counvil areas.
Hiwever,Senator Rev Dr Hyde Onuaguluchi urged Governor Ugwuanyi to aspire to join the presidential race in 2023 and leave the isdue of choosing the next governor of the state for Enugu state stakeholders.
In a bruef remark,the chairman/Nabaging Director of ANBEEZ services Ltd,Dr Anayo Onwuegu,stressedbthe unity rally wasbirganised by the PDP stakeholders from Enugu West senatirial district to demonstrate their support for governor Ugwuanyi administration and their love for peace unity and progress of the state,as demonstrated by Governir Ugwuanyi to contnue beyond his administration. In his respobse,, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the people of Enugu West Senatorial District for their support to his adminidtration,stating he received the invitation for the rally a few days ago,but in his usual character deemed it an honour
He stated, “It is significant that the people of Enugu West Senatorial District have willfully communicated their position without goading. I, therefore, assure you that we shall strive to sustain whatever has kept our state peaceful, united and on the path of development. In doing so, we shall be consultative, just and equitable.
“The theme of today’s rally (Ife Emelu Mma) seemed musical to me when I got the invitation, but having listened to all the speeches, I now understand that Ife Emelu Mma mantra, is both a statement of fact and a philosophy; a philosophy that situates and inspires a just and equitable dispensation of political leadership in our polity.
“In its literal sense, it is ‘ofo’; an innovation of the divine spirit to bear witness to our acts of justice and equity.
“Your message is therefore clear. It is understood in all ramifications. May God grant your prayers and heart’s desire”, the governor said.
Other stsjeholders from ither zones who attended the Enugu West district unity rally include the Speaker of Enugu state housebif asdembly,Hon Edward Ubosi,Hon Cirnelius Nnaji,Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa,a retired federal permanent secretary from Nkanu West council area of Enugu Eadt senatorial district,who is shoeing indications that he will join the 2023 Enugu state governorship seat contest,among others.
Traditonal rulers and Religiius leaders from Enugu West district also turned out in their large numbers.
