2023 in Perspective, a Need For Paradigm Shift in Enugu Politics

By Ifeanyi Obute.

From 1999 till date, Enugu State politics has always been determined by few persons in the state. It can be best described as King making by political heavyweights. The input of the ordinary masses has never been reasonable.

In 1999, Chimaroke Nnamani came to power as a result of a strange and covert resolution by few persons (the primordial kingmakers). The decision to settle for him was not adopted by the majority of Ndi Enugu, rather it was a decision of few cabals.
Chimaroke, an Nkanu man (Enugu East) was reportedly settled for because the Kingmakers took into consideration, the fact that the two past Enugu leaders were from Enugu West and North respectively.
Onoh and Nwodo were the two past leaders before 1999. And, they are from Enugu West and North respectively. This fact, informed the decision of the statesmen that took the decision on behalf of Ndi Enugu.
The rationale behind the decision may not be bad; but the fact remains that their decision was not subjected to any form of referendum. Ndi Enugu did not ratify the “kingmakers” decision before it was adopted for the entire state. The resolution was foisted on the masses!

Chimaroke was in power from 1999 to 2007. He did two terms.
Chimaroke’s administration had its ups and downs. It recorded some infrastructural successes. But, his attention to road construction was very lackluster. The most notable feature of Chimaroke’s era was the high level of moral depravity and violence. Ebeano era was really a very morally repugnant one. Street cultism and other violent crimes flourished, harassment of Okada riders, retrenchment of workers, owing and late payment of State workers salaries etc. But most worrisome was the fact that there were plenty of alleged political assassinations, suppression of dissenting voices, political intolerance etc. Democracy was literally truncated and abused during Ebeano’s time.

In 2007, Sullivan Chime, an Udi man (Enugu West), was literally installed by Chimaroke Nnamani. Nobody saw it coming, but it came anyways. It took Ndi Enugu by surprise because prior to 2007 election, Sullivan’s political profile in Enugu State was recorded low. There were far more politically popular personalities in Enugu then. But because of the reigning culture of dictatorship and aristocracy in Enugu, Chimaroke single-handedly appointed Sullivan Chime to power. Election was held quite alright, but that was just to formalize the whims and caprices of a single individual – the exiting Governor!
Sullivan was in power from 2007 to 2015, doing two terms just like Chimaroke. Sullivan’s administration was relatively a good one, going by Nigeria’s standard. He immediately moved to stem the tides of skyrocketing insecurity. Did roads and other infrastructures, paid backlogs of salaries he inherited from Chimaroke’s era.
But just like in his predecessor’s era, political diversity and tolerance was literally non-existent. One party system continued to be pursued at all costs. From the Governor down to the 260 elected Ward councillors, all belonged to the same party. Any attempt to deepen the growth of democracy via other parties coming onboard, was always met with stiff resistance, most of the time, in direct and flagrant violation of the ideals of true democracy.
In a reckless display of abuse of power, a duly elected deputy Governor was illegally impeached in a very shady circumstances.

By 2015, when Sullivan Chime was leaving, he installed the present Governor, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, an Orba Nsukka man (Enugu North).
Ugwuanyi came in power, and continued from where Sullivan stopped. He gained some achievements, and also in some instances, dropped from the standard Chime put on ground.
He has completed his first term in 2019, and is doing his second term now.
The culture of “political enveloping” even took a dangerous turn under this present administration. All positions, both appointed and elected ones must all flow down from the Governor. The 17 Local Government Chairpersons, the 24 State Legislators, the 260 councillors, were all handpicked by the Governor himself, either directly or in proxy.
The only political area his “all enveloping influence” didn’t get to, is the Federal Legislative pickings.
This archaic culture of political emasculation, resulted to lackluster performance and isolation of the masses. Every singular action and decision of the Governor is always APPLAUDED by the cronies and political stewards that the Governor appropriated for himself.
Even as poverty level is increasing, the debt burden of the State is hiking, our roads are degrading (even roads inside Enugu Metropolis, something we never witnessed under Sullivan’s era), unemployment mounting, insecurity increasing, cattles roaming the streets of Enugu etc, we continue to hear that Enugu State is in the hands of God. A direct opposite of the realities on ground. Amidst all these, the praise singing continues to get louder!
From this political chronology illustrated here, one thing stands out very clear – THE PEOPLE DON’T HAVE A SAY. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE FEW POLITICIANS IN POWER. EVEN NOW, THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN MAKING PALPABLE MOVES THAT SUGGESTS HIS PLANS TO ANOINT AND INSTALL HIS SUCCESSOR, COME 2023.
THE EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON 19th SEPTEMBER, WHERE THE EBEANO FAMILY PAID HIM A COURTESY VISIT, IS A CLEAR POINTER.

The question on most of our lips are; Must the “anti-people” political culture be allowed to continue into 2023, when every other States are doggedly wrestling out powers from the few individuals that always pitch themselves against the people?
Must the repugnant culture of political rotation of the same people within the corridors of power be allowed to continue; From State to Federal, and back and forth?
Must the good and vibrant people of Ndi Enugu, especially her vibrant youths, continue to stand akimbo whilst few men that doesn’t have verifiable capacities continue to politically envelope us, always citing an “agreement” that never emanated from the people as their backup?
Or, come 2023, are we going to resolutely fight to reclaim our dear State for ourselves, and our future generations?

Ifeanyi Obute writes from Enugu. He’s the Eyes on Democracy of Nigeria (EDON) SouthEast coordinator. A public affairs analyst. A youth activist. ifecojp@gmail.com.