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Tag: Ugwuanyi

  • Enugu: Ugwuanyi’s consolidation plan

    Enugu: Ugwuanyi’s consolidation plan

    On May 29, 2015, Enugu State will be among the states that will join the Federal Government of Nigeria to witness the inauguration of new administration at the national and state levels.

    The significance of this epoch-making event lies in the fact that Nigerian democracy through the outcome of the just concluded general elections has gained its firm footing in the scheme of things and maintained its pride of place, not only in the continent of Africa but also in the global world. It has also proved cynics who predicted doom for the country wrong.

    Enugu being a state strongly controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, has witnessed tremendous progress, made possible through the visionary leadership of the incumbent Governor Sullivan I. Chime. His vision for the state, which he unveiled immediately after he took over the mantle of leadership in 2007 brought rapid transformation, especially in the areas of good governance, infrastructural development, peace and security. This was made possible through his 4-Point Agenda which was adopted to aggressively tackle the decays in the socio-economic and political system of the state.

    His administration’s blue-print, namely, Service Delivery, Physical Infrastructure, Economic Expansion and Employment and Rural Development was not only an integral part of the policy thrust of the PDP in line with its manifesto; it was also a “social contract” between the PDP government and the people of Enugu State.

    Today, it will not be out of place to state that the PDP-led government of Governor Sullivan Chime, as it winds down its administration, can beat its chest and boast that it has delivered on its promises to the people of the state through the implementation of its 4-Point Agenda.

    Many believe that Chime’s administration has done well in the areas of road construction and rehabilitation, agriculture, transportation, housing, and promotion of peace and security in the state, among others, and will be remembered for this legacy he will be leaving behind in a few days to come. They also believe that his achievements endeared the people to his party, the PDP and brought enormous fortunes, most especially during the electioneering process.

    It was, no doubt, on the premise of the above, that the Governor-Elect of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during his electoral campaigns, did announce his resolve to wholeheartedly adopt the principles of the 4-Point Agenda of Chime’s administration, through “Seamless Continuity and Consolidation”.

    Ugwuanyi’s decision in this regard, according to him, during his acceptance speech as the Governor-Elect of Enugu State at the PDP Campaign office in Enugu, was also based on the fact that “Government is a continuum. And when a people are lucky to have been blessed with a foresighted leader who has laid a solid foundation for the socio-economic development of our State within the last eight years, it is only rational to continue and consolidate that vision”.

    He went further to add: “I reaffirm my commitment to seeing through the legacy of the Present 4-Point Agenda, namely: Physical Infrastructure, Economic Expansion and Employment, Rural Development, and Service Delivery and to usher in the New 4-Point Agenda namely; Employment Generation, Social Services and Good Governance, Rural Development, Security and Justice, both running concurrently”.

    The incoming governor, who went into rhetoric in driving home his message of absolute commitment to build upon the gains of the present 4-Point Agenda, literally exclaimed: “Let the word go forth from here to the heights of the undulating hills of Udi; take the word to the elevations of Nsukka; let the tidings go forth to the farmlands of Nkanu land and indeed to every nook and cranny of the Coal City state that seamless continuity and consolidation have come”.

    From the foregoing, it became clear that Ugwuanyi, while sticking to the principles of continuity of the laudable programmes and policies of the present PDP government in Enugu State, also unveiled a new 4-Point Agenda, implicitly articulated to consolidate on the gains of the legacy of the outgoing administration for the continued development of the state.

    Ugwuanyi’s new vision and philosophy of governance, intrinsically ideological, speak volume and present a systematic road map towards building a greater Enugu State.

    For instance, under his “Employment Generation” agenda, Ugwuanyi promised to pursue the goal of employment generation in the state through “investment promotion, agriculture, skill enhancement and provision of critical public utilities and infrastructure”. In actualizing these, he intends to attract more private investment to the state through policies and programmes that would provide enabling environment for businesses and other economic engagements. He also intends to continue with the construction of critical inter-community and urban roads while ensuring that the existing road network in the state are maintained adequately.

    In all, Ugwuanyi promised to continue to adopt the process of consultation with the people at various levels to give them a sense of belonging and fair hearing in the conduct of government business. In this regard, he pledged to adopt the principles of fairness, equity and justice in the allocation of government resources and distribution of public amenities, among others for the greater glory of the state.

    As the Coal City State gleams in the eyes of this “Seamless Continuity and Consolidation”, many believe that Ugwuanyi who had emphasized   that “there is work to be done” has the required experience, vision and commitment to take the State to greater heights. I wish him a resounding success!

    –Onyebuchi, writes from Enugu.

  • Ohanaeze endorses PDP governorship candidate Ugwuanyi

    Enugu State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    A communiqué by the Chairman and Secretary of the pan-Igbo association, Chief Eric Ebeh and Chief Fidelis Ojobo, said the endorsement is a fallout of its appraisal of the candidates and “consultations with the rulers’ council, professional bodies, organised sectors, market associations, civil society groups, students’ unions and other stakeholders.”

    Ohanaeze conferred on Ugwuanyi a prestigious title of Ozo-Igbo Ndu Ndi Igbo (Grand Patron, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Enugu State chapter) in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Igbo nation.

    Ebeh and Ojobo said Ugwuanyi’s philanthropy in empowering Igbo sons and daughters through job creation and employment, human capital development and goodwill, coupled with his excellent records in public service and ability to deliver and sustain the good work of the PDP government were among reasons they supported his governorship bid.

    The group urged “eligible voters to go to their polling booths on Saturday and vote for our anointed candidate, Ugwuanyi, to take over the mantle of leadership on May 29.”

     

     

     

  • Ugwuanyi’s legal victory: Matters arising

    Recently, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by the outgoing Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Anyaogu Eze, challenging the victory of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, winner of the last PDP Governorship Primary conducted in Enugu State.

    Eze approached the court praying that it should hold that a sister court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola endorsed the delegate list his faction of the party used in conducting the parallel primary which produced him as governorship candidate as authentic.

    But, in his judgment, Justice Evoh Chukwu held that the harmonised list which produced Hon. Ugwuanyi as governorship candidate subsists; meaning that the primary election which trumped up Ugwuanyi as PDP Governorship candidate for Enugu State is the authentic primary that is duly recognised.

    He further noted that, the order of the sister court which Senator Eze relied on to hold a parallel primary was merely declarative and not mandatory. Adding that only one primary was held by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in accordance with the stipulated rule in section 89 (4) of the Electoral Act.

    The enthralling celebration and happiness which enveloped the whole state on hearing the victory of Ugwuanyi is a true testimony that he is the choice of the people. Let it be said again that since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999 and as its currently being practiced in Enugu, there has never been any candidate that has enjoyed public acceptability like the candidature of Hon. Ugwuanyi!

    The difference is that while Eze found himself in the Red Chamber, Ugwuanyi found himself at the Green Chamber but, like I have always believed, it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runeth, but is of the Lord that showeth mercy (Romans 9:16). In this regard, the people of Enugu State have made their choice, instead of fighting against their decision, he should shelve any plan in that direction and join hands with Gburugburu to bring victory to the party come April 11, because the voice of the people is the voice of God.

     

    By Edwin Uhara,

  • Enugu guber: Ugwuanyi’s challenge

    Enugu guber: Ugwuanyi’s challenge

    With the recent ruling of an Abuja High Court, which dismissed Senator Ayogu Eze’s petitions, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has finally won the battle to fly PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State. Sam Egburonu however examines the challenges before him in the actual elections 

    Followingthe recent ruling of Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the coast is now clear for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to contest the forthcoming governorship election in Enugu State. The reprieve came after Justice Chukwu dismissed the suit filed by Senator Ayogu Eze, challenging the emergence of Ugwuanyi as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

    Sources said some supporters of Ugwuanyi in the coal city and other parts of the state celebrated his victory at the court with ceremonial gunshots.

    It would be recalled that Eze had filed the suit against the PDP, its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ugwuanyi, who enjoys the support of the national leadership of the PDP, subsequently applied and was joined as an interested party in the matter.

    Both Ugwuanyi and Eze laid claims to the governorship ticket of the party in Enugu, having emerged from two parallel primary elections held on December 8, 2014.

    But Justice Chukwu, delivering judgment on the case, said that from the averments made, it was only one governorship primary election that was conducted in the state on December 8 under the watchful eyes of the national officers of the PDP.

    He said the plaintiff’s suit did not succeed as he failed to show how any section of the constitution or the Electoral Act, as well as PDP guidelines for the conduct of gubernatorial primary election, was breached or violated.

    Earlier in his judgment that lasted for two hours, Justice Chukwu dismissed the preliminary objections filed by the defendants for want of jurisdiction, abuse of court process and locus standi. He however agreed with the defendants that it was only a political party that was in a position to choose its candidate in an election.

    He therefore held that the power to conduct party primaries rested solely on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and not the state executive of the party.

    Eze had told the court that PDP conducted ward congresses in Enugu State on November 1, 2014 as a result of which a list of delegates for the conduct of primary election for the governorship candidate of the party emerged.

    According to the senator, the list was sanctioned and authenticated by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2014, through a judgment delivered on November 24, 2014.

    Ruling on this however, Justice Chukwu said the sister court “never sanctioned any delegate list”.

    The court was of the view that Eze failed to show any evidence indicating that NEC or PDP conducted the primary that he claimed was the authentic one.

    Will Ugwuanyi meet expectations?

    Since the latest court ruling, one question that has been agitating the minds of critical observers in Enugu is if Ugwuanyi will meet the tall expectations of his supporters and the people of Enugu State?

    Many believe that Enugu State, being a predominantly civil servants and low income earners’ state, creates a burden of going beyond just winning elections as there is too much to be done in terms of provision of democratic dividends.

    Since 1999, more especially under the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime, the state has witnessed some level of development and it is in the light of this that so much is expected from Ugwuanyi who, sources said has enjoyed overwhelming support from the people. Many said Chime has excelled in terms of provision of democracy dividends to the people.

    In one of his campaign tours, Ugwuanyi acknowledged the sterling performance of the governor when he said that achievements of the governor had made his electioneering activities ahead of the election much easier.

    Chief Israel Okonma said of Ugwuanyi, the people know the stuff he is made of and that explains their passion for his governorship aspiration. His antecedents speak volumes which include his stewardship in the House of Representatives in the last 12 years, coupled with his humility and candor which have touched the lives of people. The expectation is that Ugwuanyi’s administration will have a human face with many arguing that the combination of all these factors made his candidature more of a movement in Enugu State.

    To crown the situation, many of the governorship candidates in other parties have either stepped down for him or the party deliberately not fielding any candidate for the guber position.

    Not long ago, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state adopted Ugwuanyi for the April 11 governorship election with an explanation that the move was informed by its confidence in Ugwuanyi’s capacity to govern Enugu State.

    According to the APGA chairman in Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Nkolagu, it would have been an effort in futility if the party had fielded a candidate to challenge Ugwuanyi, adding that it will be difficult for any other party to win the contest with the level of his popularity and acceptance by the people.

    Critical observers are also in agreement that the support the PDP enjoys in the state would be extended to President Goodluck Jonathan. Since 1999, Enugu people have always pitched their tent with the PDP and the coming election will not be different.

  • ALGON hails Ugwuanyi on court victory

    Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has congratulated the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his victory in a suit challenging the authenticity of his candidature.

    The association, through a statement by its Chairman, who also chairs Enugu East Local Government, Mr. Cornelius Nnaji, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and an indication that the PDP would win the coming elections.

    ALGON thanked the indigenes, PDP members and supporters for their prayers and support while the case lasted and assured them of its collaboration with the party to entrench internal democracy, the rule of law and the principles of justice, equity and fairness.

    Nnaji, who was elated by Ugwuanyi’s popularity and acceptability, noted that the judgment vindicated PDP’s position that Ugwuanyi was elected as the governorship candidate of the party at the primary election on last December 8.

    He urged Senator Ayogu Eze and other aggrieved aspirants to accept the verdict in good faith and support stakeholders to ensure victory for the PDP.

    The ALGON chairman praised those who contributed to the victory, especially the national leadership of the PDP, the state leader of the party, Governor Sullivan Chime, other leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others, and urged “Ugwuanyi to remain steadfast and focused in his resolve to sustain the tempo of the PDP-led administration of Governor Chime through continuity and consolidation of the four-point agenda, if he is elected.”

     

     

  • As Buhari, Ambode and Ugwuanyi emerge

    The political environment is on a tailspin, with the cries of the politically robbed and the jubiliation by the successful gladiators. Of course there are those who suffer political hallucinations and delusions about their political worth, and as such, try to pass off mere political mirage as arrested political tsunamis. Among the political wayfarers and the wailing, it is difficult to distinguish the genuinely robbed, from the robbers who were beaten in their game.

    So, I propose to the weather beaten victims and failed aspirants, particularly those who abandoned their constituencies while the party lasted, a new law to establish a chartered institute of political arbitrators and mediators, to help arbitrate and mediate the rambunctious fractures arising from their rejection at the primaries. While the law makers work out the details of such an act, or law, to show their frustration, let us look at some of the celebrants, who are already gearing up, for the February show down.

     

    Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari

    Retired General Muhammadu Buhari, austere politician and veteran presidential contestant, and the candidate of the alternative national behemoth, the All Progressive Congress (APC), will square with President Goodluck Jonathan, as the main contenders for the 2015 presidential election. Fortunately for him, his co-contestants at the APC primary have accepted defeat with equanimity, and so will hopefully support him during the campaign and general election. But still he has the challenge of time and resources to prosecute the money guzzling presidential campaign.

    He will also have to contend with selling his vice presidential candidate, as the best, from among the very influential contenders, within his party. Hopefully the choice he has made will bring value towards a successful campaign. There is also the combustible issue of religion and tribe. Even more serious will be how to handle his several enemies, from among the top corrupt national elite, who know that a Buhari presidency could ruin their contrived life of opulence, luxury and corrupt enrichment, at the expense of the hoi polloi. But despite the challenges, Buhari will give President Jonathan a good fight.

     

    Mr. Akin Ambode

    The emergence of Mr. Ambode, an urbane retired civil servant, is substantially similar to that of Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007, and Lagosians are hopeful that if he wins in 2015, he would perform excellently well, just like the incumbent. Ambode’s emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC started off as a rumour, before the royal endorsement of the Oba of Lagos. Now, against the permutations of his co-contestants, he resoundingly won the contentious party primary.

    His major challenge now should be how to assuage the ill-fillings of the other contestants, who had high opinion about their political clout, but had languorously lost out at the keenly contested primary. As has been argued by other concerned commentators who have genuine sympathy for the success of the party at the general polls, there is the need to heal the fractious ruling party, before the elections in 2015. There is also the need to assure non-indigines that Lagos remains the center of excellence for all its inhabitants, regardless of religion or tribe.

     

    Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

    As expected, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu) the preferred candidate of the incumbent Governor of Enugu state, Barrister Sullivan Chime, emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), though with some serious hiccups. Against the tradition of Ebeano political family, the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, successfully extracted a favourable compromise from the Governor. That is a good development, in the interest of enduring democratic culture. As I have stringently argued on this column, the closure of the political space against any form of opposition does not do anybody any good, not even the immediate beneficiaries of the existing status quo.

    Considering that Enugu state is substantailly a PDP state, it may be safe to conclude that Gburugburu will be coronated at the general elections, next year. Well that is if the state Ebeano family are able to put their fractious house in order. Towards that, I urge Hon. Ugwuanyi to reach out to his senior brother and colleague, Senator Ayogu Eze, in the overall interest of their senatorial zone, primed to produce the next governor of the state. Gburugburu must give it to Ayogu, he distiguished himself creditably well as a Senator, and with executive and legislative experience, would have made a fantastic Governor, if he was the choosen candidate.

    There is also the issue raised in a discussion I had with a friend and colleague, who argued in favour of our state producing a female senator, for the first time. Pushing his argument, he said that Enugu state is a laggard, when it comes to empowering women with high political office, and urged for suport for what many call, the tumultous emergence of Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo (Ifeoma di niru), as the candidate of a faction of the PDP, to represent Enugu East senatorial zone. But that will wait for the final resolution of the party or the court, over the authentic candidate from among the three contenders laying claim to the same position. Furthering that argument, the alternative would be for Gburugburu to nominate a female, as his deputy.

    As we await the final showdown next February, it is my wish that Buhari will gain enough support, to pose a serious challenge to President Goodluck Jonathan, at the polls. To achieve that, he must come up with a dream team. As we count down to that election, which may make or mar our fractious nation, it is my earnest prayer that the campaign will be issue driven, with the candidates telling our troubled nation, how he can solve our numerous nation-state threatening challenges.

     

     

     

  • Aspirants step down for Ugwuanyi

    Aspirants step down for Ugwuanyi

    Two governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have stepped down for the party’s consensus candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Chinedu Onu and Anayo Onwuegbu stepped down during yesterday’s senatorial primaries at Nsukka and Awgu.

    Onu stepped down after the result of the senatorial primary election in which Chuka Utazi emerged the winner, was announced.

    He did so in the presence of Ugwuanyi, whose popularity is rising.

    His action was greeted by applause from the delegates. He was later hugged by Ugwuanyi.

    At Awgu, Onwuegbu withdrew in the presence of Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu, amid applause.

    He said: “It is better to support the winning team than to become a spoiler.”

    He was hailed by Ekweremadu for his patriotism and wise decision.

    It is expected that two aspirants are likely to withdraw today.

    Still in the race at press time were Senator Ayogu Eze, House of Assembly Speaker Eugene Odo and transport magnate, Maduka Onyishi.

  • Ugwuanyi: A personal encounter

    There are two things, in my view, that define a man: his spirit of philanthropy and sense of community. A man who gives freely of his possessions to others does the will of God and is always on top (as the late MKO Abiola would say, the hand that gives is always on top).

    Similarly, a successful man is actually one who easily connects with and does things for, or the will of, his people. Such a man has a strong, powerful kindred spirit, a keen sense of community and is almost always called upon to lead.

    Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, PDP consensus candidate for the Enugu governorshiprace next year, a grassroots politician and a cheerful giver, fits this bill very well. He is one of the few men in his generation in our part of Igboland about whom the people can veritably say “here is our leader in whom we are well pleased.” I am yet to see a politician in Enugu State whose choice as a governorship candidate has generated such widespread interest and acclaim as Ugwuanyi’s.

    When Dr. Ike Abugu, an engineer and small and medium enterprises scholar died in the ill-fated Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012, it fell on some of us his relatives, friends and associates living with him in Lagos, to organize a befitting burial for the Russian-trained metallurgical engineer. We formed a burial committee where one was appointed chairman of the publicity sub-committee. The publicity sub-committee processed and produced the burial programme brochure, posters, banners and T-shirts. It also made radio/TV announcements and placed adverts in newspapers. Emma, Ike’s younger brother, a chartered accountant and a former bank executive director, is a well-heeled young man and could easily have financed his brother’s burial. But, chairman of the burial committee Bishop Oscar Ossai, founder/pastor of the City of Refuge, Ogudu GRA, Lagos, and co-chairman Dr. Nick Okonkwo Idoko, lecturer, peace advocate and radio presenter, had reasoned that the job of the committee was not just to come and draw up budget for the burial but to raise money to support the burial effort as well.

    On that note, we started reeling off names of Ike’s friends and associates to contact. Quickly, we ticked off Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Dikeora Ogidi and a senatorial aspirant on the platform of PDP for Anambra Central; Vita Abba, chairman PDP, Enugu State; Okey Ezea (IdekeNsukka), Labour Party governorship candidate for 2011in Enugu State and chairman of Ideke Holdings; Senator Ayogu Eze, chairman Senate Committee on Works;  Charlie Ugwu (Onowu Igugu), a lawyer and estate magnate, Abuja; Olisaemeka Ugwunze of MESCANA Holdings Lagos and Prince Emeka Mamah, Chairman Ifesinachi Industries and Ifex Couriers (Nigeria Ltd), among others. One of the committee members, Hillary Ogili, a freight forwarder, public affairs analyst and politician, then whispered into my ears: “O’l boy, put down Gburugburu (Hon. Ugwuanyi’s) name.” Okay, I said, but I didn’t have his number. And in any case, I didn’t know how familiar he was with Dr. Abugu…the names we had written down were people with whom we shared friendship with Abugu. But Larry assured that he would provide Gburugburu’s number, stressing that going by Abugu’s gregarious nature and Hon. Ugwuanyi’s penchant for connecting with people, especially with members of his Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, how sure was I that he didn’t know Ike personally? So, I put down his name.

    To be sure, we got very encouraging responses from the aforementioned people and much more. But, the interesting thing about Ugwuanyi’s contribution was that it was the only one made largely in blind trust—he didn’t know me very well and it turned out that he wasn’t quite familiar with Dr. Abugu either. But he was moved by the fact that such a prominent person from his constituency had died in such horrible circumstances, to make a generous contribution. He was in South Korea attending to his official assignment as chairman of the House Committee on Maritime when all this was happening. Could I kindly meet him at the airport on Saturday (he sent the text on Thursday evening), to collect his own contribution? The rest is history, as they say.

    Before, then I had met Ugwuanyi briefly at a function in a very telling circumstance. In November 2009, my club, Ezike Diamond Club had, in collaboration with the Movement for the Creation of Adada State, organized a lecture at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, with the theme State Creation: Imperative of Adada in the South East, to which many prominent people from the South-east, Enugu State in particular, had been invited. Hon. Ugwuanyi, a tall, huge man, had come in quietly and sat in the crowd: no frills, no fanfare, and no airs. I was introducing guests to the high-table as we waited for the official compere to arrive without even looking towards the direction where Hon. Ugwuanyi sat when club chairman Ted Ojimba, feeling very uncomfortable, ran to me and asked why I hadn’t introduced Gburugburu; did I not know him?

    Of course I knew him by reputation, but I had hitherto not met the PDP consensus candidate for Enugu 2015 governorship election, and so didn’t know he was the one sitting where he sat. I was later to discover that he constantly signaled to people who went to greet him not to hail him loudly so as not to disrupt proceedings, otherwise the hall would have broken out in thunderous Gburugburu!

    Two character traits are obvious here: empathy and humility. Ugwuanyi is typical of the biblical concept of the good man, one who rejoices with those who rejoice and mourns with those who mourn. He is also the type that humbles himself that the good Lord may exalt him. If a leader has these two qualities in good measures, he is certain to excel. Think of Bill Clinton and you have the portrait of Enugu Governor-in-waiting.

  • Nsukka professionals congratulate Ugwuanyi

    Nsukka professionals congratulate Ugwuanyi

    •Hail Chime, PDP

    The Nsukka Professional Group (NPG) has hailed Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for making House of Representatives member, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the party’s consensus candidate for next year’s governorship election.

    In a statement by its president Dr. Basil Onugu and Secretary, Otoboeze Chikwado, the group noted that Ugwuanyi did not only emerge as the party’s consensus candidate but also has the qualities that made it possible for his fellow aspirants and other stakeholders to have confidence in, trust and respect for him.

    The statement said: “There is no iota of doubt that Ugwuanyi is eminently qualified, competent and has the right compliment of skills set necessary to, not only sustain but also advance Chime’s enviable legacies to the next level. Above all, unity and peace remain not only a sine-qua-non but also most imperative for the sustenance of the current tempo of development in the state.

    “Ugwuanyi is not only an epitome of peace but also large hearted and quite accommodating to the weak and the mighty alike. He is a team player of choice.

    “We will also thank Chime and the leadership of the party in the state for their consistent demonstration of dedication and commitment towards ensuring that Enugu North Senatorial Zone produces the next governor in 2015. It is not common in our political clime to find leaders who are concerned about equity, fairness and justice, as demonstrated in the course of this exercise.”

  • Another aspirant steps down for Ugwuanyi

    Another aspirant steps down for Ugwuanyi

    Another governorship aspirant in Enugu State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Chidi Mark Obeta, stepped down yesterday for House of Representatives member and the party’s consensus candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Obeta led youths and other supporters to Ugwuanyi’s camp.

    He was among the four aspirants who initially declined to step down.

    Ten other aspirants bowed to the choice of the Ugwuanyi at a meeting of the PDP caucus of Enugu senatorial zone.

    He told his supporters on the occasion that it was a difficult decision to make, but for the fact that Ugwuanyi was unblemished, he had to accept.

    Among the groups whose leaders and other representatives attended the gathering were the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) whose leaders came from Abuja, Enugu chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu Youth Agenda, Ideal Youths Group, representatives of young women as well as some PDP leaders in the state.

    Obeta said: “Today, we declare, nominate and adopt Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus governorship candidate of our party for next year’s election.

    “We could have fought on and on in view of how far we have gone but we have to listen to those of you here who also were part of our initial decision to go into this enterprise and we also have to remain loyal to our party and its leaders.