Ugwuanyi posters adorn a roundabout in Ogrute, Enugu ezike
As the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) kicks off today, most PDP faithful in Enugu State have coalesced around the Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Ugwuanyi was adopted as the consensus candidate of the PDP in the state, which persuasions in the state kicked against on Friday September 26,214.
Our correspondent observed that a huge enthusiasm has built up around Ugwuanyi’s candidature, as most people across the length and breadth of the state, see him as the only person among the lots who are aspiring for the ticket that is capable of sustaining the works of the incumbent governor, Sullivan Chime.
We learnt that the enthusiasm for Ugwuanyi’s candidacy stems from two factors: his unreserved endorsement by Chime, who is widely perceived to have performed creditably in the development of the state, and the aspirant’’s level-headedness and humanitarian disposition.
The hefty support the affable Orba-born aspirant enjoys appears to be symbolically etched in the facial board of the city as Ugwuanyi’s posters , which dot most houses in the state, have literarily swallowed up those of other aspirants.
The Rainbow correspondent who went round the state last weekend reports that the speed with which the people of the state have adopted Ugwuanyi as the choice aspirant for the top job in the state is terrifying.
From artisans, to cab drivers, civil servants and traders, the name that appears to be in everybody’s lips is Ugwuanyi, with other aspirants given but perfunctory mention. Most people spoken to believe that Ugwuanyi would not only emerge as the PDP candidate but go ahead to win landslide in the main election.
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But even beyond words, the posters and billboards of the Orba-born House of Representatives member have all but choked out those of all other contenders. In major areas street of Enugu, including Obiagu, New Heaven, Holy Ghost, Abakpa- Nike, Independence Layout, it was Ugwuanyi’s posters everywhere: in roundabouts, private homes and public places.
Although occasionally, you see posters of other aspirants like Senator Ayogu, Chinedu Onu, Samuel Onyishi, and a few others, they have been relegated to just a few dots in the flood of Ugwuanyi’s posters.
At Artisan market, Okey Nwude, who had Ugwuanyi’s handbill with ‘Gburu 2015, inscribed on it pasted to the number plate of his car, told our correspondent that he is sold out to Ugwuanyi’s governorship ambition. Nwude said that he is supporting Ugwuanyi because he trusts the judgment of Governor Chime who is solidly behind him.
“”Gov Chime has shown he loves this state. The work he has done in the past eight years have shown he cares for the people of the state. If after a careful consideration, he has endorsed Ugwuanyi as the man he wants to succeed in the Government House, I have every reason to believe he is the right person for the job. There are people on his cabinet who people thought he would have chosen, but he did not. For him to settle for Ugwuanyi, there must be something special the governor has seen in him. And I am working to deliver him,” he said.
In Oji River, one Chidi Uche, who says he has been in politics since 1999, said that he does not know any other candidate contesting for the governorship in PDP in the state outside Ugwuanyi. PDD and indeed the entire people of the state agreed that it is the turn of Nsukka (Enugu North) to produce the governor of the state in 2015, and our governor has endorsed somebody from there. So what are talking about? It is done, we are not forcing anybody to agree, but if you like go and contest and see who will vote for you.
Nwude, who spoke in an accent that betrayed his Nkanu origin, added that besides Chime’s endorsement, he had also heard a lot about the generousity and humanitarian disposition of the aspirant himself.
Similar sentiments were echoed across the state, from Awgu to Ehamufu, from Udi to Enugu Ezike.
Incidentally, in Enugu-Ezike, where another contender hails from, pro-Ugwuanyi sentiment is overwhelming. Ugwuanyi represents Igbo Eze North ( made upe of Enugu Ezike and the Igala-speaking community of Ette) and his home local government area, Udenu, in the House of Representatives. And many people from the town have benefitted from his scholarships programme and other generous interventions in their communities.
Besides, many of people in the town hail him for his uncommon humility and accessibility. It was learnt that when he emerged, one prominent politician in the town, Mr. Cyril Onu from Nkpamute community, whom he helped sponsor through a law programme in the university, threw a party of thanksgiving to God for promoting his mentor.
Ugwuanyi emerged as the consensus candidate of the Enugu State Chapter of PDP on September 26.
It was learnt that Governor Chime had called a PDP caucus meeting of the Enugu North Senatorial zone (Nsukka zone) where the governorship slot has been zoned to in order to avoid ran- cour in the selection of a candidate. At the meeting, Amb. Fidel Ayogu moved a motion for the adoption of Ugwuanyi, which was seconded by a one-time deputy governor of the state, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi.
Both Senator Ayogu Eze and Honourable Eugen Odo, speaker Enugu State House of Assembly, who had disagreed with the choice of Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate, are among the candidates still on the race for the governoship ticket.
Although our correspondent’s on-the-spot evaluation showed that though other aspirants have lost the wind from their sail,Senator Eze is still brimming with optimism that he was going to emerge as the candidate of the party in the state.
He had allegedly told his supporters not be swayed by what they see because ultimately they would have cause to laugh with him.
According to reports, he still believes that the November 1 ward congress, which the leadership of the party in the state boycotted would stick and that will give him a sail through.
