By Frank Okwudili
There is need for a people to, from time to time reminisce and consult the past to make progress. In times like this in Enugu, there is great need for that retrospect thinking. I sincerely think that the larger part of Ndi Enugu are forgetting history too soon. 1999 is a long time, but not too long for a people to forget how this political dispensation all began, and how it has progressed to the present.
It might therefore be pertinent to remember that Senator Chimaroke Nnamani was sold to Ndi Enugu by His Excellency, Jim Nwobodo, who after his eight years in office championed the candidature of His Excellency Sullivan Iheanacho Chime. Chime, despite his health challenges completed two tenures and ceded power after the elections to the Incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, whose unwritten name should be peace.
And while it will be wrong for the governor to impose his choice on his party and the state, it is also unfair to deprive the Governor of the fundamental right of choice of successor. Must his candidate win, No. But it is only fair that what is good for the goose is guaranteed the gander.
Jim Nwobodo chose Chimaroke Nnamani and he won. They became enemies. Chimaroke chose Sullivan Chime. They turned cat and mice. At a point, a one time governor almost became a stranger and visitor to a state he once led.
Who reconciled Jim with Chimaroke and Chimaroke and Sullivan? The Incumbent Governor who believes that power is given by God and should not lead to rancour and blood shed.
He broke the jinx of successors decimating their predecessors. Did he fight Sullivan? And even when it was clear Sullivan was no more in People’s Democratic Party, he didn’t as much as witch hunt him. He believes the political space is large enough to accommodate all and sundry. Reconciliation has been his mantra.
Peace should not be taken for granted. His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a beacon of peace should be allowed the liberty of choosing his successor for further entrenchment of peace and continuity of the massive rural agenda of his administration. Let the people vote against his choice if they don’t think it is in their best interest.
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