Ugwuanyi in the throes of history By Obinna Ofoama

The emergence of Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the governorship standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State was dramatically interesting.

The build up to his emergence was a hectic melodrama, as there were other qualified politicians and technocrats that made the list of aspirants. The party bigwigs had a Herculean task to arrive at the choice of Ugwuanyi (aka Gburugburu).

After a very careful perusal of the plethora of aspirants, the party chorused in favour of Gburugburu: “This is our beloved candidate.” As if that was not enough, the ebullient Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, corroborated the position of the party by declaring: “In Gburugburu am well pleased” and turned towards his constituents to say “vote for him.”

The choice and emergence of Gburugburu was in tandem with biblical and democratic tenets.  Just like King David in the Bible, who was chosen and made king against his preferred and assumed better older brothers, Ugwuanyi was preferred by his party faithful against more formidable opponents. He contested the party’s primary and won convincingly. He was adjudged by his party as having the capacity to deliver premised on broad-mindedness, assertiveness and humility. In the words of Dr. Okwy Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State and former National Chairman of PDP: “The emergence of Ugwuanyi is a political masterstroke by Enugu North leaders who have successfully warded off political invaders keen on taking away the position zoned to us by the state PDP.” For Uche Ezechukwu, international journalist and renowned newspaper columnist, “Hon. Ugwuanyi, with his experience and kind disposition, has the capacity to expand the frontiers of peace and development in Enugu State as stated by Governor Sullivan Chime.”

Mr. Sheddy Ozoene, a journalist and former editor of the now rested “Diet newspaper” posited: “The choice of Ugwuanyi may not sit well with a few people. However, the choice of Ugwuanyi, who did not even publicly indicate interest in the contest prior to his adoption, does not only elicit excitement across the state, it raises hope that he would foster the much desired unity among party faithful in the state.”

The acceptance of Ugwuanyi by the generality of Enugu citizens was facilitated by the infectious love Enugu people have for Governor Sullivan Chime. Enugu people are of the undeniable conviction that their governor though not a perfectionist, has really delivered on his promises. It was therefore, easy for the people to switch over their love for their governor to Gburugburu. The insistence of Governor Chime that his successor must emerge from Enugu North Senatorial District was very pacifying. The reason being that Enugu North Senatorial district has not produced the state’s chief executive since 1999-and Gburugburu is from there.

Another factor working in favour of Gburugburu is that he belongs to a party (PDP) that is dominant in Enugu. For nearly 16 years running, PDP has won 99 percent of all elections in Enugu. The equation has not changed. His adoption of a woman (Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo) as his running mate is very legendary. This is the first of its kind in the political configuration of the state. This has endeared him to the women folk as it runs in consonance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s on women empowerment programme.

Ugwuanyi is reputed for not given to pettiness and meddlesomeness within his federal constituency. Some of his colleagues in both federal and state legislatures are known to have severally bestridden their local governments like colossus. Some have reduced local government chairmen and their acolytes under their domain to mere lackeys. Gburugburu is said to be an exception premised on his philosophy of “Ashua Azua.”

“Ashua Azua” is an undiluted Nsukka philosophy that equates life to a market where both buyers and sellers congregate to advance their interests. Succinctly put, “Ashua azua” is “Games Theory” Africanized. Games Theory suggests that in every game, the more one wins the more his opponent looses and it must not be premised on do or die. This process abhors the stampede of others to advance.

Hon. Ugwuanyi, a financial expert who majored in the insurance sub-sector brings into the contest a rich private and public sector experience. He holds a master’s degree in three disciplines and is a two-time chairman of House Committee on Marine Transport. He exudes a character and disposition that endears him to all manner of people irrespective of age and status.

• Ofoama, political commentator, wrote in from Enugu