2023: Enugu West senatorial district stakeholders proclaim their turn to produce Gov Ugwuanyi’s successor

By Madu Ezenoha Rising from a crucial meeting in Enugu, major stakeholders from Enugu West senatorial district have called for support for the district to produce the next governor of the state in 2023. The current Governor, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, from Enugu North senatorial district, would serve out his two-term of eight years in office in 2023. The stakeholders made the demand in a 7-point communiqué they issued in Enugu, even as they argued that there has never been any known pre-existing or agreed power rotation arrangement hitherto, in whatever form, nature, parameter, precept, convention, written or unwritten with respect to which zone should produce Governor of Enugu State in recent history. The issue of which senatorial district should produce Gov Ugwuanyi's successor has became an emotive and dominant discussion in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections. Opinions have been divided between Enugu West and Enugu East senatorial districts, which should succeed Gov Ugwuanyi, but the stakeholders from Enugu West in the communiqué insisted that facts of history of past governors of the state support their claim. The stakeholders noted the good working relationship between the people of Enugu West zone and Governor Ugwuanyi, as well as his remarkable commitment to peace and security of lives and property of the citizens and others livings in Enugu State, and pleaded that they be allowed to produce his successor in 2023. The meeting unanimously passed an overwhelming vote of confidence on the three National Assembly members from Enugu West Senatorial District, including Sent Ekweremadu, Rt. Hon. Tobi Okechukwu (Awgu/Aninri/Oji-River federal), and Hon. Denis Oguerinwa (Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency) for their excellent and qualitative representation and good leadership. The stakeholders said they were aware that some of their sons and daughters were allowing themselves to be used to mislead their people, but noted that they expect them to have a rethink and be conscious of the verdict of history on them. The communiqué reads in part, "The stakeholders noted with regret that Enugu West Senatorial Zone of Enugu State has not been fairly treated on the issue of the position of the Governorship seat of the State. Facts and history validated the view that Enugu West Senatorial Zone has been short changed in the allotment of the Governorship position of the State. "In view of the foregoing, Enugu North Senatorial Zone has produced Governor two times in the Former Governor, His Excellency Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo from Igbo-Etiti L.G.A of Enugu North Senatorial District and the incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi who hails from Udenu L.G.A in Enugu North Senatorial Zone. "Enugu East Senatorial Zone has produced Governor three times, in His Excellency Governor Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo who hails from Enugu South L.G.A. in Enugu East Senatorial District, His Excellency Governor Christian Chukwuma Onoh who is from Enugu North L.G.A. in Enugu East Senatorial Zone and His Excellency Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani who is from Nkanu West L.G.A of Enugu East Senatorial District. "However, and regrettably, Enugu West Senatorial Zone has just one opportunity to Produce Governor in the person of His Excellency, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime from Udi L.G.A of Enugu West Senatorial Zone.” The meeting was attended by Gen Nick Orjiude (rtd), Prof. E. A Chukwude, Chief Okonkwo Basil, Chief Barr. Umeha Sunday, Hon Ikpeama Felicia, Engr. Dr. Donald Igwegbu, Okechukwu Anidi, and Hon Sir Emma Ogbozor, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, Hon. Engr Nick Ozonsi, and Rt. Hon. Huka Ene, among others. Full text of the communiqué: COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE EXPANDED STAKEHOLDERS MEETING OF ENUGU WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT HELD ON THE 8TH DAY OF JUNE, 2021 IN ENUGU, ENUGU STATE Enugu 2023: Ekweremadu's senatorial district bids for guber position, alleges marginalization Preamble Arising from a well attended stakeholders meeting of Enugu West Senatorial District on the 8th of June, 2021 in Enugu where we deliberated and reviewed issues that bordered on the interests, desires and demands by our people at home and in the Diaspora. The bone of contention is the issue of power rotation and zoning of Governorship position in the upcoming 2023 general elections in Enugu State. The meeting also, deliberated on other matters of importance and interest such as the pervading insecurity in the nation and other issues that are contemporary in nature and somewhat existential. In the end, the meeting resolved as follows: 1. That the stakeholders of Enugu West Senatorial District noted with delight, the good working relationship between our leaders and the Executive Governor of Enugu State His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi. The meeting commended His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi for his remarkable commitment to peace and security of lives and property of the citizens and others livings in Enugu State. This peace, security, sustained existing friendly political climate with a tinge of bi-partisan governance approach of His Excellency is highly commendable. The meeting therefore convey without equivocation our inestimable and unparalleled support and solidarity to His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State. 2. The stakeholders noted with keen interest the current healthy debate in Enugu State on the issue of power shift, rotation and zoning as to which Senatorial Zone should produce the next Governor of Enugu State in the 2023 general elections. This on-going debate and dialogue in the state gave full expression to the prevailing democratic ecosystem guaranteed by His Excellency’s peaceful disposition in the democratic space in Enugu State. 3. The meeting restated that there has never been any known pre-existing or agreed power rotation arrangement hitherto, in whatever form, nature, parameter, precept, convention, written or unwritten with respect to which zone should produce Governor of Enugu State in recent history. A review of sequence of past Governors in Enugu State becomes imperative. 4. The stakeholders noted with regret that Enugu West Senatorial Zone of Enugu State has not been fairly treated on the issue of the position of the Governorship seat of the State. Facts and history validated the view that Enugu West Senatorial Zone has been short changed in the allotment of the Governorship position of the State. 5. In view of the foregoing, Enugu North Senatorial Zone has produced Governor two times in the Former Governor, His Excellency Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo from Igbo-Etiti L.G.A of Enugu North Senatorial District and the incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi who hails from Udenu L.G.A in Enugu North Senatorial Zone. Enugu East Senatorial Zone has produced Governor three times, in His Excellency Governor Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo who hails from Enugu South L.G.A. in Enugu East Senatorial District, His Excellency Governor Christian Chukwuma Onoh who is from Enugu North L.G.A. in Enugu East Senatorial Zone and His Excellency Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani who is from Nkanu West L.G.A of Enugu East Senatorial District. However, and regrettably, Enugu West Senatorial Zone has just one opportunity to Produce Governor in the person of His Excellency, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime from Udi L.G.A of Enugu West Senatorial Zone. In the present circumstances, what the Enugu East Senatorial Zone is now asking for essentially is to go for Governorship for the fourth time and Enugu North Senatorial Zone has had Governorship for only two times while Enugu West Senatorial Zone has produce Governor only one time. 6. That we are aware that some of our sons and daughters are allowing themselves to be used to mislead our people. We expect them to have a rethink and be conscious of the verdict of history when the story of this time will be told, when facts will take precedence over individual wishes and aspirations. For our people who are in government, we understand the circumstances of their present engagement and we believe that they will duly align with our position at the appropriate time. Also, it is our expectation that this generation of leaders will live up to its aspirations that the greatest art of leadership is to be a witness to truth. 7. Finally, based on these historical narratives, of how Governors were produced in the recent past, in Enugu State, we therefore, plead request and demand that equity, fairness, balance, justice and good conscience will be served if the rest of the two Senatorial Districts yield to our desire/demand to produce the next Governor of Enugu State come 2023 general elections. The meeting unanimously passed an overwhelming vote of confidence on the three National Assembly members from Enugu West Senatorial District for their excellent and qualitative representation and good leadership.

Arthur Eze, Yar’Adua, others call for harmony, cooperation in resolving nation’s current challenges

Prince Engr. Artur Eze inaugurates Ibagwa Community Devpt Centre, named after him

 

By Madu Ezenoha, ENUGU

 

Despite the current security and socio-economic challenges facing her, Nigeria will overcome all if the political elites are able to bury their ethnic and religious cleavages and work in harmony towards finding common solutions to the problems.

Nigerian billionaire and renowned philanthropist, Engr Arthur Eze and Col. Abdulazeez Yar’Adua (rtd), younger brother to Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua made the assertion in Enugu yesterday in their separate remarks during the birthday celebration of the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike kingdom, HRM Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu.

Eze, who is also the chairman of Oranto oil and Triax Airline stated that ordinary Nigerians love themselves and are ready to coexist without any problem, but are being divided by the political elites for their selfish interest.

He insisted that the various challenges facing the nation, including the rising insecurity, were the creation of the Nigerian elites, and called on Ndigbo to love their Northern counterparts and work with them to achieve their desires in the country.

“Forget these politicians creating problems everywhere; the North made me what I am today… we (Igbo) must be with the North, without the North we won’t have peace,” he said.

Eze, who donated the sum of N100 million for socio-economic development of Ibagwa kingdom, said Igwe Ugwu was one of the people that worked with him for several years and demonstrated trust and reliability as a servant.

On his part, Abdulazeez Yar’Adua, who is a traditional title holder in the community (Akajiugo 1 of Ibagwa), said the title had widened his horizon, “and given me hope that we can work for one Nigeria, move away from those things dividing us”.

Yar’Adua counseled Nigerians to avoid the experience of Rwanda but to keep talking to themselves, stressing that the Nigerian elites should realize that Nigeria can solve her problems with greater understanding of one another in cultural exchanges such as the one being demonstrated by Igwe Ugwu.

HRM Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu had earlier stated that he served Arthur Eze for 18 years and he learnt from him philanthropy and detribalized dispositions, noting that Arthur Eze exposed him to prominent Nigerians from every part of the country.

“We are suffering today in the country because we lost our history, hence tribal war and hatred everywhere… I’m using my palace to do my little to unite Nigerians through cultural integration,” he said.

Similarly, other guests and title holders at the occasion, including Alh. Jafaru Bello Dambazau (Ebubedike 1 of Ibagwa), Shamsudeen Abubakar Maikasuwa (Ozor Akonobi), and a Ghanaian, His Eminence Prof. Barthsy Ojor Enebiene (JP), extolled the virtues of the traditional ruler of Ibagwa, HRM Ugwu, describing him as a digital transformer and detribalized global citizen that should be emulated by other African traditional leaders.

They stated that every culture advocates peaceful coexistence and that through cultural exchange, Nigeria can resolve her differences and build bonds of friendship among its diverse citizens.

Highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of Prince Engr. Arthur Eze (OFR) Community Development Centre, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu, a community resource centre for youth empowerment and training of youths.   

Anambra Guber: Only free, fair primaries will guarantee APC’s victory- Chekwas Okorie - Leads UPP-APC loyalists into Okwuosa’s campaign structure

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

APC guber aspirant, Okwuosa 

By Madu Ezenoha

 Erstwhile National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP) and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Chekwas Okorie at the weekend declared that only a free, fair and transparent primaries where a candidate with popular mandate of the party faithful would emerge, would give the APC victory in the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra state.

 The former presidential candidate of the defunct UPP and founder/pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Okorie, spoke while presenting the entire state party structure of the defunct UPP in support of a front line gubernatorial aspirant of the APC Chief Azuka Okwuosa, at his campaign office in Awka.

Okorie warned the national and state leadership of the party against imposition of a candidate during the forthcoming primaries, insisting that the APC Anambra state would resist any such attempt.

"Anambra state governorship election is important to the South East and Ndigbo in general and this is the flagship of the battle to produce a president of Igbo extraction.

"I wish to warn that we shall resist any attempt by some people to impose a candidate on the party APC and we shall ensure that the candidate of APC would emerge through a democratic process and we must ensure that internal democracy prevails in Anambra APC,” he said. 

Okorie, who led more than 1000 UPP extraction of APC to the event described Okwuosa as a team player who has paid his dues in party politics adding that his emergence as governor would jump start development in Anambra state.

“Okwuosa has paid his dues at political apprenticeship, at political tutelage; and he has climbed the ladder. I came to know Azuka at Ikemba Ojukwu’s house, Ezeigbo Gburugburu. He was there and became chairman of Nnewi local government area, after he served as commissioner for Works Anambra state. In APC he has worked for other people, he has served as DG campaign, he knows Anambra terrain.

“After today’s event Okwuosa will no longer be an aspirant, he will become the presumptive candidate of APC in the coming governorship election in Anambra state,” he declared.

Speaking after receiving members of the UPP extraction of APC into his campaign structure, Sir Azuka Okwuosa assured them of seamless integration into his campaign structure, even as he announced a donation of a bus to help in their movement during campaign activities.

He decried a situation where those who worked, suffered and made sacrifice for the party are not getting commensurate rewards after election victory, especially as currently being observed in APC government where outsiders, including members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APGA in the state are major beneficiaries of the dividends of democracy from the centre, to the detriment of loyal party members.

"I believe in the reward system and when you work hard you get your reward and that is how it should be and not the other way round.”

He promised to ensure that the APC would win the Anambra election adding that the internal democracy should be respected in the process of nominating a candidate for the party.

 

Okwuosa (L) and Okorie (R) after collapsing UPP-APP structure toOkwuosa campaign structure

“Under my leadership, APC incoming government will fix Anambra state, that's why our slogan is ‘Finally it's broken, together we will fix it’”.

Anambra Guber: Okwuosa receives 326 APC women leaders, advocates more space for women in leadership

 By Madu Ezenoha 

APC Anambra state guber aspirant, Azuka Okwuosa (L), APC Anambra state Deputy Women Leader, Mrs. Nkechi Nnoli (R), and other women leaders during a visit to Okwuosa at his campaign office Awka, recently.

Front-line aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra state, Sir Azuka Okwuosa has advocated for increased involvement of women in the nation's political and public administration.

Okwuosa said women can make unique contributions in the resolution of the many scio-political challenges facing the country.

Okwuosa, who made the call when he received in audience more than 326 All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leaders from the state during a solidarity and Easter visit at his campaign office in Awka, recently, noted that women are home builders, and have also shown that they are nation builders.

"Women have a more humane and rational approach towards solving complex problems, so I strongly call for more involvement of women in leadership positions in Nigeria," he said.

Okwuosa said women will be given a pride of place when APC takes over the reins of power in the state, stressing that women make huge contributions towards campaign efforts of most parties yet they are relegated to the background after victory.

He appreciated Anambra APC women for their solidarity and Easter visit and enjoined them not to relent in their support to him and the party until victory is achieved during nominations and main election in November.

Earlier in a remark, the Anambra state APC deputy women leader, Mrs. Nkechi Nnoli, thanked the guber aspirant for the warm reception accorded them, stressing that the visit aside from offering them the opportunity to wish him well during the just commemorated Easter celebration, was also to enable them gain further insight into his programmes for women in the state when he succeeds as governor.

She said, "I believe in the Azuka Okwuosa project and so do the 326 women leaders of APC in Anambra state. We all gathered here to celebrate Easter with him and to use the opportunity to hear him out, to know what he has in stock for Ndi Anambra and women in particular".

Mrs Nnoli expressed the confidence of the women leaders in the person of Okwuosa, who is also popularly called 'Zukky', as according to them he has been a party man dating back to the days of Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the APC.

They said that throughout Sir Okwuosa's walk with the party, he has never faltered nor disappointed and has always given the women folk an opportunity in all his party assignments. 

"We are confident that he would give the women a pride of place in his government when elected governor of Anambra state. 

"Hon. Sir, Okwuosa knows that in Anambra state, we have very vibrant women like Dora Akunyili who can be called upon when the going gets tough and so he has absolute trust in our women because we have never disappointed especially in Anambra APC. He believes in women's participation in politics".

Commenting on Zukky's chances of winning the party's nomination and consequently winning  the November 6 2021gubernatorial election, she expressed very high optimism, arguing that not only was Okwuosa a party man from inception, but that he has no skeleton in his cupboard. 

"Above all he is the god-son of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ezeigbo gburugburu and Ikemba Nnewi."

She lamented that some politicians were brandishing the pictures of the great Ikemba to win elections, shouting 'Nke a bu nke anyi,' (this is our own), yet they never knew him neither do they know his beliefs and ideologies like Azuka Okwuosa who spent years under-studying him did. 

Mrs Nnoli recalled that Okwuosa was one of the founders of APGA in line be with the Ideology of the great Ikemba but due to the APGA disappointment he had to quit the party. 

"And now that we need a man that has the Ideology of Ojukwu to rule Anambra state, Hon. Sir Azuka Okwuosa is the man because he has the charisma, the political energy, the principles and most especially the Ideology of the Igbo leader which is to restore the glory and dignity of Ndigbo."