UGWUANYI, BEWARE!
The orchestrated support for Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Enugu state, is unprecedented. It is truly an experience to behold. I had to go out at night last December to take it all in, taking pictures of the ubiquitous giant billboards of Gburugburu to show people in the United States the seismic support for Ugwuanyi in Enugu State. The 'powers that be' seem to have closed ranks to ensure Ugwuanyi is duly elected on February 28. Good. But, I smell something. This is too good to be true. There is a gathering storm ahead, and I am bothered. I am worried because I wonder if those who 'put' him there will allow him to govern, or will give him a long CVS-like list of 'their candidates' to appoint/to placate as part of the present arrangement called coalition. Will they let him govern, or are we being handed the hand of Esau (Nsukka), while Jacob (Chime) and his 'mother' (Ekweremadu) connive to rob us of our turn to govern, and finally stamp our DNA in the politics of Enugu state? Ugwuanyi, beware!
Ugwuanyi must be aware of the sharks around him. These same sycophants singing his praises to high heavens are leaches positioning themselves at targeted stations (establishments and contracts) towards self-serving goals, at the expense of the masses, and the hopes they PROJECT on him, their son; their hope. Ugwuanyi, beware! He has become a phenomenon, but a barometer by which Nsukka people/candidates will be judged forever in the political dynamics of Enugu State. This is one shot he cannot miss. He must make it count. Those of us who stand afar to watch this macabre dance going on recognize it for what it is, because we have seen this script before. Nwodo had his chance, but failed Nsukka people. He blew it big time. Look at what Ekweremadu is doing for his senatorial zone; compare it with Ayogu's pedestrian achievements for Nsukka people since his romance with power.
I hear 'power brokers' openly say, 'Ugwuanyi is a good boy.' Each time I hear this, I cringe inside. I recoil with fury based on the historical narrative of where such a condescending word 'boy' comes from within our geo-political discourse as Igbo people, and even as Black people. If not, can any right thinking man call Ekweremadu a boy? To call a man a 'boy' is a subliminal put down, an insult, and dog whistle for those in the know. It tries with benign words to remind 'others' their place in society. Ugwuanyi beware! He must be aware of people who path him on the back; another gesture by masters on their stooges. He must rise up early and make his mark like Chime to Chimaroke; else his story shall be like Fashola and Tinubu. He must have his own agenda. He must put his foot down early. He must fight for his respect. He must fight for the dignity of Nsukka people. So much depends on his success.
Ugwuanyi must be particularly careful of the many enemies he made on the way up given the belief that 'powers that be' helped vault him over so many, as qualified, if not more qualified than him, who had paid their dues in Enugu state politics before he swooped down from Abuja with his deep pocket and connections. For the good of our people and state, it is good they have all stepped aside for him. He must make the confidence reposed in him in the name of Nsukka people count; else, he would give ammunition to his adversaries, waiting eagerly on the wings to pounce in no distant time. So, he must make this opportunity count. Ugwuanyi must learn from President Obama, to draw his enemies close. He must invite them into his government like Obama did with Mrs. Hilary Clinton.
It is a shame that the drumbeat and competing clamor for attention to be seen and be heard has not allowed us to question him for all to know his AGENDA for the state. Yes, his agenda for Enugu state in his first 4 years in office. What we hear are campaign promises; the 3Cs, and more shouts. Mr. Ugwuanyi must take this opportunity seriously; else he would have derailed the train before it started. We have to know where he wants to take us to and the course to getting there. He must fight hard to ensure no one dictates the course of his journey, but the people, whom he serves. And they do not ask for too much, but for good roads, clean environments, well-equipped schools and hospitals, monthly pay-checks, electricity, pipe-borne water, security, and a trust worthy Police force, who do not fleece the people they swore to protect.
Finally, Mr. Ugwuanyi must find projects he can establish for the people that will define his government, that way; the people will see/taste/benefit from his governance. For instance, Jim Nwobodo, Chime Sullivan, and Chimaroke Nnamani have forever changed Nkanu and environs, and their people are better for it. Nothing stops Ugwuanyi to do the same for the rest of the state, particularly Nsukka zone that have been neglected for decades. To start with, it will help a lot if Nsukka-Opi road is dualized, if the Ikem-Mbu-Ehandiagu-Ishienu-Nsukka road is finally constructed, if Nsukka-Uzo-Uwani road is constructed, and if a College of Agriculture is established at Uzo-Uwani to help booster not just Ada Rice project, but the development of the whole area given their immense economic contribution to the state. These are not herculean tasks to ask of one to whom so much has been handed over on his plate. Ugwuanyi, beware!
Written by Emeka Aroh PhD, United States Army. Email address