Says Attack on Gov. Ugwuanyi Over PDP Governorship Primary Unwanted

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Enugu State chapter, has called on any politician who feels aggrieved in any way to resort to legal means in seeking redress, insisting that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration has, in the last seven years, done well for the people and his own constituency, the Enugu North Senatorial District.

In a statement titled “The Emergence Of Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah As The Governorship Candidate Of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) In Enugu State And Matters Arising”, and jointly signed by the State Chairman, Chief (Hon) Dr Afam Samuel Ani, JP and the Secretary, Hon. Aduaka Anthony, the CNPP insinuated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi acted in the interest of unity in the state in the choice of the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer.

Tracing the origin of power rotation in Enugu State, the state chapter of the CNPP noted that since the three Senatorial District have had their turn within the PDP, it was proper for the Governor to allow Enugu East to produce the candidate for the governorship contest in 2023.

The CNPP, which stated that attacks on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over PDP governorship primary were unwarranted, said the Governor was justified in maintaining what it called the “principle of “Triangular Equilibrium” in the state.

The umbrella association of all registered political parties and political associations in the state recalled that “After the creation of Enugu state in the year 1991,the first civilian Governor H. E. Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and the political stake holders in the state considered the political terrain of the state and adopted the principle of “Triangular Equilibrium” in the state.

“This simply means that the three Senatorial Zones viz-a-viz Enugu East, Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial Zones will rotate the Governorship ticket among the Zones for equity, justice and fairness as some Zones may not be able to attain the exalted position because of numerical strength.

“However, the tenure of the administration of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo was truncated by the military junta.

“But in 1999, after the restoration of Democratic Rule, H. E. Dr Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Senatorial Zone and of the Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the Governor.

“His emergence brought development in Enugu state in general and Nkanu in particular”, the CNPP said.

The statement further stated that the “relocation of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the dualization of the road leading to Nkanu from the Enugu – Portharcourt axis of the road, the rehabilitation of the Parklane Hospital, the International Conference Centre, dualization of the New Haven Road, etc, were some his land mark achievements. His tenure came to an end in May 2007.

“Again during the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2006, prior to the 2007 elections, Barr Sullivan Iheanacho Chime from Enugu West Senatorial Zone emerged as the party’s candidate for the position of Governor under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“He succeeded in the election and was finally sworn in as the Governor of Enugu State on May 29, 2007.

“Again his emergence came with massive development and transformation.

“All the Urban roads received attention. The Akwatta Road and the New Market – NCFC road which were hitherto death traps were made motorable. ESWAMA received a facelift with all nook and cranny of the State glittering.

“The Lion Building got its own fair share of the transformation, Enugu State College of Education ESCET came into existence. The list is endless”, the CNPP further recalled.

The political parties added that the Peoples Democratic Party, in line with existing doctrine of the “Triangular Equilibrium” in the state, produced a candidate fro Enugu North Senatorial District in 2015.

“Then came the election of Rt. Hon. Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North Senatorial Zone on the same Peoples Democratic Party platform in 2015.

“On May 29, 2015 he was sworn in as the third Governor of Enugu state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Again his administration brought a “tsunami” of development, including the renovation and rehabilitation of the colliery hospital, the renovation of the impassable Milken Hill – Ngwo road, the 5000 seat stadium in Nsukka, the state Secretariat Annex at Nsukka, the Opi – Nsukka road, the Tarma Sark for sexual offences against women, the reactivation of judicial headquarters, the renovation of cottage hospitals for reduction of infant and maternal mortality, the first ever flyover in Enugu state. The list is endless.

“In fact Enugu State in general and the Enugu North Senatorial Zone has never had it so good thereby making the principle of the “Triangular Equilibrium” legacy felt in the state.

“Having completed the cycle among the three Senatorial Zones, it behoves on the incumbent Governor to start the cycle over again.

“This informed the decision of RT. Hon. Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to do the right thing by opting to hand over the baton of leadership to the Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

“Immediately this was mentioned, Governor Ugwuanyi came under fire by some insatiable power mongers.

“The fire ragged till the governorship primary of Peoples Democratic Party party in Enugu State”, the CNPP observed.

The CNPP maintained that the “primary, which was adjudged free, fair and peaceful both by INEC and party officials from Abuja produced Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as the governorship candidate for Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 governorship contest.

“Some of those who participated took the outcome with the spirit of sportsmanship while some decided to try their quest to occupy the Lion Building come May 29, 2023 decided to contest on other party platforms.

“Despite this, the winner of the PDP primary Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who is magnanimous in victory and invited all contestants. In the meeting he asked all to help him join hands in building a new phase of Enugu State.

“The ugly side of it all is that some disgruntled and self-centred politicians who contested and are aggrieved by the outcome of primary decided to smear Governor Ugwuanyi with adulterated political “perfume” to destroy the good name he has earned this 7 years and still counting.

“They want it their way while Owo (which produced Mbah) in Enugu East Senatorial Zone should wallow in representation.

“They forgot that Owo and its people also deserve good things as what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

“They resorted to all forms of attack and cheap blackmail on the person of Governor Ugwuanyi to the extent of calling him a “betrayal” to the Nsukka people.

“They even accused Governor Ugwuanyi of trying to edge out Barr Chijioke Edeoga from the 2023 Governorship race in Labour Party.

“These are laughable allegations as these are the thinking and imagination of feeble political minds as Governor Ugwuanyi has passed through the political furnace and came out stronger than ever.

“The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) now ask these power mongers and their paid attackers, what is the offense of Governor Ugwuanyi?

“Has the Nsukka people had it so good before now? Do they want Owo to remain in the dungeon for another 24 years before they will feel the impact of the government? Are the Owo indigenes not humans and part of Enugu State?”, the CNPP queried.

Counseling those aggrieved in the PDP, the CNPP said, “We advise and caution these Political mafias to watch their steps as we will not give room to anti-democratic elements in the state.

“They should seek redress either within the party’s panel or the court of law and not to create tension in Enugu polity.

“Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) will continue to sensitize the aggrieved politicians for the sake of deepening democracy in Enugu State in the interest of our people.

“We assure Governor Ugwuanyi of our unalloyed cooperation and support for as long as he is still on the path of justice and remains on the saddle.

“Also, we assure Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of giving him the same unshakable support we gave to the incumbent Governor if he emerges victorious in 2023 governorship election.

“No matter who wins in 2023, we will remain the voice of the masses and will never relent in making efforts to ensure that peace continues to reign in Enugu State”, the statement concluded.