AS GOVERNOR UGWUANYI PASSES THE BATON OF LEADERSHIP TO PETER MBAH

(Enugu North Future Leaders Forum)

In few days time, precisely come May 29, which is only but two days from today, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State will pass the baton of leadership to the incoming administration of Peter Mbah, having completed a meritorious-cum fulfilling an uninterrupted two term of eight years at the helm of affairs of the state.
Having emerged victorious at the polls, Peter Mbah, alongside his Deputy Ifeanyi Ossai, will be sworn in at the event slated to hold at the ever-busy Okpara Square Enugu.

As the event draws closer, our nostalgic reminiscence tilts towards the legacies, the exaplamplary leadership qualities of Governor Ugwuanyi. We are, at this juncture, not in any way boring the state with a repetitious story-telling of the plethora of Ugwuanyi's giant strides in infrastructure advancement. The Enugu North Future Leaders Forum wishes to commend the outgoing administration for keeping the state safe and devoid of political skirmishes.

Among the legacies of which Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will be remembered for is his peaceful mien and capability, the knack to keep no political foe. In Imo state for instance, the fight presumably between the incumbent, his predecessor and other political players with vested interest led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties which has continued to linger in the state.

Imo is not alone in the list of states with the unenviable record of civil cum political unrest occasioned by a dichotomous, or better put, the inability of the leader to make headway in the formation of a unified political font.
The scenario above has led to a total collapse of many states in the federation, limiting their respective achievements to merely being able to pay workers salaries, though not without being bailed out by the government at the center.

In Enugu State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's reign, throughout his eight years sojourn, such scenarios were nipped at the bud. When everyone thought the state was going to chaotically discard the power rotation arrangements through the then ambition of Distinguished Senator Ekweremadu, it took a pragmatic step by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to restore normalcy in the then tensed political atmosphere of the state. Ike's case is one out of several of it's type which were amicable prosecuted. When Governor Ugwuanyi graced the funeral function of Senator Ayogu Eze's in-law almost immediately after the 2019 general election where the later contested against him for the seat of power of the state, most of Ndi Enugu were left in awe.

His Excellency has continued to toe this part of leadership devoid of segregation and it is pertinent we commend him for seeing out his tenure without a defined political foe. Tales abound, in neighboring states, where a mere social media criticism got some people locked behind bars by their governors. Such has never be heard of in the state The last election saw some governors disengaging their appointees believed to have directly or indirectly worked against their success. Enugu was however exempted, despite the fact that the governor lost in his ambition to represent the people of Enugu North senatorial district. In the face of sabotage, Ugwuanyi, in his trademark peaceful conduct, relived none of his appointee of his or her duty.

As the stage becomes set to for his Excellency to handover to Barrister Peter Mbah, we plead with the incoming administration to maintain the peaceful legacy of Ugwuanyi as peace is said to be panacea to success. No sustainable development thrives in an environment where the lives and properties of the inhabitants are not guaranteed.
Ugwuanyi unprecedentedly simplified governance, a fact which has been echoed repeatedly by some opposing party members.
It is our earnest prayer that as Ugwuanyi passes the baton leadership to the successive administration, may the peace, tranquility and atmosphere devoid of political skirmishes be passed unto the next administration.

(Enugu North Future Leaders Forum)