SENATOR UCHE EKWUNIFE: A Beckon To A Higher Call
Written By: Chike Ofozoba
The bane of Nigerian nation is unpreparedness of the leaders who were thrown up by circumstances beyond their control and suddenly found themselves in positions of Authority.
Following the independence election, it took the political machinery of Northern Peoples Congress under Alhaji Ahmadu Bello to displace the only party then with national outlook and appeal, National Council Of Nigerian Citizens under the leadership of the great politician and Scholar- Rt Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. A relatively unknown Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, the then deputy leader of NPC was invited to form the government and Nigeria lost great opportunity to be led by the great reformer- Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
In the Second Republic, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (a grade 11 teacher) was comfortable with contesting for the senate before he was enthroned by the Kaduna mafia with an erudite architect Dr Alex Ekwueme- a man of many degrees as the vice-president.
In the military censored third republic, General Ibrahim Babangida(IBB) regime banned the array of politicians like Late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alhaji Maitama Sule and others who have been on the mentoring process since the first republic and understood the complexities and intricacies of the country called Nigeria and in that action, IBB denied Nigeria of experience and wherewithal in leadership, an action that threw up the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimowo Abiola who also came prepared, won the election but had his victory annulled by the military.
In the 4th republic, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was only interested in rehabilitating himself after a stay in Abacha gulag and going back to his farm when the powerful retired Military Generals led by the duo of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and TY Danjuma Foisted him on Nigeria. Your memory will be better refreshed by that loud and loquacious statement of Gen T.Y Danjuma who at the venue of the fund raising for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential campaign threatened to proceed on exile if Chief Obasanjo fails to win the election- a boast that only confirmed and reinforced the resolve of the Generals to enthrone Obasanjo at all cost.
The palpable ill-health of Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua as the Katsina Governor was known to the nation and the gentleman decided to retire back to the quiet life of a lecturer before he was propped up by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to succeed him in the fifth republic.
As for Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the relatively unknown local government Inspector who was brought to political limelight by Late DSP Alamieseigha as the Deputy-Governor and through the grace of providence replaced his boss as the Governor of Bayelsa state, a providence that threw him up as the nation’s Vice-President and later President after the sudden demise of his boss
The unprepared leadership cum lack of vision has remained the bane of governance in Nigeria with under-development, escalating poverty, poor Infrastructural development, Epileptic power supply and all kinds of social vices as manifesting results.
It took the vision of Dr Kwame Nkrumah to build the foundation on which the prosperity of Ghana is standing today.
In Singapore, a country in the hinterland and with no natural resources. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew stood to be counted when his visionary leadership made Singapore the second highest GDP per capita in the world and ranked 9th in the United Nations Human Development Index.
In Malaysia, the vision and exemplary leadership of one man- Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammed was all that was needed in making the country of Malaysia an economic giant it is today and in Botswana, the visionary leadership of Mr. Festus Mogae has put that little country in the pedestal as one of the rising giants from Africa. No wonder, the great writer and the eagle on the tallest Iroko tree (apology to Association of Nigerian Authors) made it clear in his famous treatise “THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA” where he loudly opined that the trouble with Nigeria is the failure of leadership because with good leaders Nigeria could resolve its inherent problems such as tribalism, lack of patriotism, social injustice, the cult of mediocrity, indiscipline and corruption. Nigeria has not gotten it better in the past neither has it gotten it better in the present because of endemic leadership lacuna rooted in lack of vision of our political class.
Considering the leadership trajectory and style of Senator Uche Ekwunife, there is no doubt that she will do well in governing a complex state like Anambra. The 2021 Governorship election will be campaigned on issues rather than the zone one comes from.
With equity having been achieved when Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju from Anambra South held sway from 1992-1993 and 1999-2003 respectively.
From Anambra Central, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige and Mr Peter Obi called the shot from 2003-2014 while Chief Willie Obiano from Anambra North is dictating the tune from 2014 till now and up to 2021.
Time has come for ndi Anambra to open up their leadership to the best brains from Anambra instead of limiting it to zonal interests which breeds nothing but mediocrity.
In my difficult and Painstaking try to sustain the present clamour for a shift to the South, Senator Uche Ekwunife with the blood of Anambra South in her by virtue of parentage, married to Anambra Central with a strong political handshake across Anambra North serves as the only bridge among all the divides and in consideration of her achievements as a corporate czar, a former member of House of Representative and a Senator so there is no higher call again than the call for Governorship.
Successful Governorship campaigns require three basic things. First, people have to be able to look at you and imagine you as Governor, then it’s a battle of ideas, messages and issues. After that, you ought to have enough money and support to become known. Senator Uche Ekwunife satisfies the first two criteria and believed that with her support base comprising of low and mighty of the society, rich and poor of the Nigerian nation, the bourgeoisie and proletariats of the economy, money will definitely not be a problem.
The answer to this call for a higher service will be an appreciation to Anambrarians for giving Senator Uche Ekwunife the opportunity to step beyond a life and a job, to make commitment to larger causes which are: Preserving the Anambra dream, restoring the hope of the downtrodden, reclaiming the future for our children, giving new life to the Anambra project by forming a new convenant with ndi Anambra(People of Anambra State), more opportunity for all, more responsibility from everyone and a greater sense of common purpose.
Character is an important issue in any election and Nigerian people have been making character judgement about their politicians for more than fifty years and in the 2021 Governorship election of Anambra State, the character issues will be: Who really cares about the welfare of ndi Anambra?
Who is really trying to say what he or she will do specifically if elected Governor?
Who has a demostratable record of doing what they talked about and who is determined to change your life rather than enjoy the grandeur of power?.
The four questions above has nothing but only one answer- Senator Uche Ekwunife!, Senator Uche Ekwunife!!, Senator Uche Ekwunife!!!, Senator Uche Ekwunife!!!!
The opportunity has offered itself once again to the state that prides itself as the light of the nation to score another first after scoring first as the first state that produced the first indigenous Governor General of an independent Nigeria(Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), first President of Federal Republic Of Nigeria(Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), the first Senate President(Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), the first Speaker of the House Of Representatives(Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke), first executive Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(Chief Alex Ekwueme), the first black Secretary General of the Common Wealth(Chief Emeka Anyaoku), first indigenous Vice-Chancellor in a Nigerian University(Prof. Kenneth Dike), first Nigerian sculptor(Mr. Ben Enwonwu), first professor of Mathematics(Prof. Chike Obi), first Nigerian Millionaire and first President of Nigerian stock exchange(Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu), first African celebrated writer(Prof. Chinua Achebe), first African to be made a District Officer(Chief Jerome Udoji), first black African Phd holder in Radio Astronomy(Prof. Samuel Okoye), first Nigerian priest to be canonized(Fr. Cyprian Iwene Tansi), first President of Nigerian Railways Cooperation(Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani) and many other firsts. Anambra is a land of many firsts as succinctly captured by Chief Emeka Okonkwo, the coordinator of Anambra @ 25 when he said “Our dear state, Anambra is the land of several firsts in different fields and its people have contributed in many ways in shaping the history of Nigeria. One of the greatest problems we have is that the history of Anambra and the numerous great exploits of our people are not well documented for people, especially the future generation to appreciate.”
Without sounding immodest, it is said that the wisdom of an Igbo man starts in Anambra State and there will be no first if the first did not firstly start in Anambra State. While I don’t intend to cast aspersions on other states with these loud and loquacious statement of mine but my focus is to let the world know and celebrate the state’s rich history and cultural heritage, enterprising spirit and exploits of its people. There is no better time than in the year 2021 for Anambra State to add another first to their firsts by producing the first elected female Governor in Nigeria, with that, Senator Uche Ekwunife will not only inspire possibilities in Nigerian women but will break that glass ceiling that has debarred people like Chief(Mrs) Joy Emordi(Anambra), Chief (Mrs) Kema Chikwe(Imo), Mrs Paullen Tallen(Plateau), Alhaja Jumai Hassan(Taraba) and others who have strutted without success in this male dominated environment to be at the helm of their state government houses. Apparently, Senator Uche Ekwunife emergence as the next Governor of Anambra State will open the door for more female Governors in Nigeria, limit the gap in gender imbalances in our society and broaden the democratic, gender-equality credentials of our dear State-Anambra. With the stated considerations, the beckon for this higher call can only become louder and can never be dwarfed.
Chike Ofozoba is a card carrying member of PDP Nri ward 2, a writer, an entrepreneur, activist and public affairs analyst and can be reached on 07035798369(Calls/whatsapp)
