Re: I cry for Nsukka people

Nsukka Youth Progressive Forum (NYPF) has been drawn with utter consternation to the vituperative articles in the national dailies credited to one Aroh Uchenna P., entitled “I cry for Nsukka People”. In the said publications, the author made a failed attempt to mislead the public through mischief, blackmail and falsehood borne out of frustration to lure Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to toe the path of disunity, infighting, sectionalism, vengeance and vindictiveness in administering the state, at this time of great need for peace and concentration in view of the current economic crisis in the country.
The publication, among other falsehood, also accused the governor of refusing to declare war against the actions taken by his predecessor and anybody that had worked under his administration. He stated that the governor has not made any effort aimed at developing the state, especially the Nsukka senatorial district, adding that most of the persons he nominated as commissioners are “old men” without vision.
Consequent upon the above, we view the above chicanery and erroneous impression being peddled in some sections of the media as most unfortunate, mischievous, unfounded, inciting and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the hard earned reputation and popularity of our governor as well undermine his widely cherished peace and development initiatives for the entire state, which have already started yielding positive results.
We condemn in its entirety, the ulterior motive of the author and the content of his story which does not reflect the true position of things in the new administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi. It is either that the writer in his myopic judgment is ignorant of the action plans and tremendous efforts so far made by the governor to modernize and develop not only Nsukka town and 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo but also other satellite towns across the state or that he is playing the card of his sponsors whose business is to fan the ember of discord for their personal gains.
In view of the above, may we remind our brother, the writer that it is unfair, self serving and unacceptable for him to attempt to incite our governor, through his serial write-ups, to engage in actions that would divide the state in the axis of sectionalism rather than unite it. May we also remind him that the governor’s actions so far, such as the way he balanced the appointment and assigning of portfolios to his commissioners, provision of infrastructure etc show that he is for the entire state and not for a particular section or zone.
Consequently, the governor should be encouraged by all lovers of democracy to continue with his unflinching commitment to the principles of fairness, equity and justice in the discharge of his official duties, which he had always promised to uphold.
It is on record that the governor’s vision and passion for the development of Nsukka town, 9th mile corner Ngwo, Abakpa-Nike Enugu, Emene, Agwu, Oji River, Independence Layout phase II, among others, which he mentioned in his inaugural address and at various fora were testimonies to the fact that he is committed to the progress of the entire state.
One therefore wonders whether the author is knowledgeable enough to read through the lines that the governor has started taking the necessary administrative action towards the development of these areas through the recent presentation of a supplementary budget to the State Assembly, unscheduled visits to the sites, and constitutions of the Economic Advisory Committee and the Nsukka Urban Renewal Committee saddled with the responsibility of developing and modifying Nsukka – a University town founded over half a century ago and the second largest city in Enugu State.
From all indications, it is clear that the writer is chasing shadow and crying foul when there is no case. It is a matter of giving a dog a bad name just to hang it, because the governor as a profound visionary leader has the interest of all sections of the state at heart.
On the allegation that the governor is afraid to confront his predecessor and is recycling the same people that worked during the previous PDP administrations, one should imagine what the state stand to lose if the governor toes the line of vindictiveness which would eventually turn the state into a war zone and hinder the pace of development, as had been the case in the past.
The above allegation is also laughable in the sense that wisdom, humility, maturity and progressive leadership do not depict weakness as was misconstrued by the writer. It is rather a sign of strength and decorum in leadership that would eventually yield positive impacts on the growth and development of the state.
On the list of commissioners which the writer described as mostly “old men”, may we inform him (Aroh) that the list was basically a reflection of the wishes of the people of the state who nominated them through wider consultations, in consideration of their wealth of experience in their various fields of endeavor and their ability to deliver.
More so, the governor as a grassroots politician who believes in participatory democracy knows the need to involve both old and new hands including technocrats to assist him drive the policy thrust of his administration.
In conclusion, may we advise the governor to ignore the antics of these cynics, pessimists, and war mongers who are uncomfortable with the prevailing wind of peace and development initiatives being experienced in the state and forge ahead with his strive to take the state to the next level in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.
We therefore call on the public to disregard the said publications as they were meant to mislead and discredit the government for their selfish reasons.
Jude Ekere