By Louis Amoke
Ahead of 2019 general election, Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has continued to receive overwhelming support
from the people of the state both at home and abroad. The support, which
comes in form of endorsements, commendations and awards from various
people, groups and institutions, has continued to gather momentum daily.
It
is on record that Gov. Ugwuanyi enjoyed similar acceptance during the
2015 general election when he emerged the consensus governorship
candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State.
The
solidarity, support and goodwill from the people were so overwhelming
that he became the most popular political leader to be elected governor
of the state in a contest that was adjudged free and fair.
Less
than four months to the 2019 general election, Gov. Ugwuanyi who is
seeking re-election has sustained the tempo of his swelling popularity,
through his unprecedented achievements in all spheres of development and
uncommon leadership style that has brought peace, unity and positive
governance to the state.
Within a space of two months, four
reputable national dailies, namely Sun, Vanguard, Independent and
Leadership Newspapers have named Gov. Ugwuanyi their 2018 Governor of
the Year for his sterling performance in office.
These landmark
feats have earned the people’s governor the enviable status as the first
governor of Enugu State to be freely recognized and endorsed for a
second term in office by virtually all sectors of the society.
From
available records, over 450 groups have so far endorsed his
re-election, ranging from leaders of political, religious and
traditional institutions, to workers in the state, traders, women and
youth groups, academics, artisans, commercial bus drivers, Keke and
Okada riders, communities, among others. No day passes without the
governor playing host to one or two groups at the Government House who
visit to appreciate his good works and endorse him for a second term.
The latest of the endorsements, which came from beyond the
shores of the country, was from indigenes of the state in the Diaspora
under the aegis of “Ndi Enugu in Diaspora”. The Enugu indigenes during a
historic solidarity visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House,
Enugu, unanimously endorsed his re-election bid.
The excited
indigenes of the state who returned home from various parts of the world
declared that they “are solidly, proudly and firmly standing with you,
our hardworking Governor in 2019 gubernatorial election”.
They
also stated that “His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi
is the best thing that has happened to Enugu State and the best
Governor since the creation of the state”.
Presenting their
stance, Sir Anterus Chikaobi Ezeh from Ndi Enugu Europe disclosed that
the decision was reached after they “carefully and diligently appraised
objectively the economic reality of our country when you assumed office
as our Governor in May 29, 2015”.
Sir Ezeh stressed that the
governor came into office when federal allocation was dwindling, coupled
with “the inherited debts”, which he said was “acknowledged by former
Governor Sullivan Chime during his thanksgiving Mass”.
Commending
Gov. Ugwuanyi for surmounting the challenges, the Enugu Indigenes in
the Diaspora told the governor that they are impressed with “your
numerous developmental achievements in these past years in Enugu State
and the peace you have entrenched in the state”.
Reaffirming
their massive support, they promised to campaign vigorously for the
governor and ensure that their dependants, friends and relations vote
for him during the election, saying: “We will not go back but stay till
after the elections”.
Similarly, an exclusive and influential
social organization in the South East geo-political zone, Enugu Sports
Club recently endorsed the governor’s re-election bid in 2019.
The
club gave the endorsement when members of its executive committee paid a
solidarity visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu.
The
Chairman of the club, Chief Ben Etiaba told Gov. Ugwuanyi that they
were “solidly behind you” and “very proud” of him for entrenching peace
and good governance. Chief Etiaba said that “the peace you have
enthroned has trickled down to everywhere in the state, including in the
club”.
He emphasized that Gov. Ugwuanyi has not only entrenched
peace in the state but has also enhanced security, stressing that he has
equally utilized the lean resources of the state to provide critical
infrastructure and pay workers’ salaries regularly, even when most
states could not pay.
According to him, “Your Excellency, you
have done a lot in infrastructural development in the state. For
instance, the signature project at Milliken Hill will remain indelible
not just to Ndi Enugu, but those of us who ply the road to our villages
in Anambra State and beyond”.
The Chairman also commended the
governor for his bi-partisan approach to governance as well as his
contributions to the progress of the club as its president, and promised
to join hands to campaign for him to ensure his landslide victory at
the polls.
Prior to the commencement of campaign for the
governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family in
Enugu State embarked on a 7-day prayer and fasting for peaceful,
transparent and violence-free elections in 2019.
The PDP, through
a statement by the Director-General of the state’s Campaign
Organization, Dr. Charles Egumgbe urged the public to join it in the
observation of the prayers and fasting. The party stated that the
decision was also “in keeping with our tradition of entrusting the
affairs of the state to the hands of God”. The spiritual exercise which
took place between December 1-7, was equally used “to pray for
issue-based, smooth and successful campaign in the state”.
Consequently,
a Mass was celebrated at the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN)
for Gov. Ugwuanyi and other candidates of the PDP to herald the
commencement of the campaign of the party, which will formally kick off
early January.
During the Mass, the Spiritual Director of the
Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, reiterated their unflinching support for
the re-election of Gov. Ugwuanyi in 2019, declaring that it is “100
percent indisputable”.
From all these latest massive supports for
the governor’s re-election, too numerous to mention, the ultimate
message has become loud and clear that 2019 will surely end in praise
for Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!#amokelouis
Source:- Thepunditng
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