…says existing zoning in the state be maintained
The first female to go to the House of Representatives from Anambra/Enugu State and former Ambassador to Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, Her Excellency Justina Eze, has cautioned politicians in Enugu State against plans to disrupt the orderly rotation arrangement for governor smoothly running in the state.
“It has come round to Enugu East zone and this time around, the governor should come from Nkanu East. God has already signed it.”, Chief Mrs Eze emphasized.
Chief Eze, also a former Presidential Liaison Officer to the House of Representatives during Obasanjo administration who spoke in Enugu, when she received Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum NELCF, advised other sister councils areas in Enugu East zone not to contest the slot with Nkanu East saying it would be unfair to do so.
Nkanu East should caucus within their ranks for quality individuals and present to the state to choose from.
Such individuals must be known professionals and democrats with track records of no dictatorial tendencies, or be a surrogate of a dictator, she suggested, and persons capable of fostering peace and brotherhood in the state as the present governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been doing.
Chief (Mrs) Eze said she had no fears that such emerging governor from Nkanu East would tow the lines of Governor Ugwuanyi whose leadership style has followed closely to those of former Governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, who governed selflessly and evenly distributed state resources including rural electrification.
“When Jim was governor, he did not discriminate against any one or community. All he cared for was that you were from Anambra. That was when I went to the House of Reps.”, she disclosed.
Mrs Eze said it was an effort to ensure the retention of the rotational principles of the state that moved her over six months ago, to initiate a call to son of Nkanu East to remind him that it was really the turn of his people to govern in 2023.
“What you seek has already been certified by God Himself because you are seeking the truth and equity for all concerned” she told the Nkanu East Leaders. Enye ndia, enye ndia. Ife a na-aga n’udo (equity begets peace).
“There’s no way your own son will be governor and you zone will lose out in anything.
“All the dearth of good roads and other infrastructure you complained of will be taken care of across the state including your area within a short period of time”, she assured them.
Mrs. Eze again drew examples of how such exalted positions such as Governor can influence rapid development.
“Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi saw to it that the Opi-Nsukka road became what it is today to the glory of God and all humanity. The university town of Nsukka now wears a look befitting that name.
“You remember what Agbani town used to look like before Chimaroke Nnamni became governor. Chimaroke changed the face of the area and you can attest to the fruit the people are reaping from it today.
Earlier in an address, leader of Nkanu East Leaders Consultative Forum, Professor Bart Nnaji, had told Chief Eze that the purpose of their courtesy visit was to seek her continued partnership in their effort to have the state governorship ticket in 2023, micro-zoned to Nkanu East of Enugu East zone.
The council area, according to Prof Nnaji, has been very neglected in infrastructure and other developmental indices.
“It has neither federal nor state presence, in spite of its vastness and mineral and agricultural potentials.
“It has no single asphalt road and during rainy seasons, the people of the area have a tough time accessing outside of the communities.
“People of the Northern sections of the council area wishing to go to the council headquarters at Amagunze have to detour through four other LGAs before getting there.
“All these troubles can be solved by putting a bridge across Inyaba river and connecting all the towns in that axis to their headquarters.
Professor Nnaji, who is former Minister of Power, and Science and Technology respectively, said his group was seeking the ticket in order to pave way for the “wind of development to reach remote areas of the state including Nkanu East.
On the delegation with Nnaji were some traditional leaders and prominent sons of the local government area including Igwe Abel Nwobodo of UmuAwalagu, former Deputy Governor, Dr. Sunday Onyebuchi, Igwe Hyacinth Edeani of Amechi Idodo, HRH Igwe Moses Idenyi of Umuode. Others are HRH Igwe F.O. Nwatu of Ihuokpara, Rt. Hon. Anayo Ede, Dr G.O.C. Ajah the immediate past SSG of Enugu State, Barr B.C. Nwobodo, Hon. Ejike Ani and Hon. Sylvester Nweke.
