The support and goodwill the Enugu state Governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, enjoys from the people is being expressed by endorsing him for second term, as RAPHAEL EDE observes in this write-up
Although 2019 is literally far ahead, politicians known for who they are believe the contrary, so they work as if 2019 is tomorrow, leaving nothing to chance. With this notion, they are already mobilizing supporters for their candidates, by expressing their calculations through public endorsements of their candidates.
This has been well demonstrated in the case of Enugu state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, whose popularity and acceptance by the people of the state are soaring as public support for his administration in the last two years is gathering momentum by the day.
Recently in Enugu, members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Enugu West and North Senatorial Districts, unanimously endorsed him for second term because of what they described as his unprecedented achievements in just two years in office, despite the economic challenges in the country.
In the same vein, the state’s workers, during a one-day symposium organized by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Enugu State Council, passed a vote of confidence in Ugwuanyi, telling him “carry go”.
Of course, the most recent was the endorsement by the state’s traders under the umbrella of Enugu State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ESAMATA). The traders at a solidarity rally they organised in appreciation of Governor Ugwuanyi’s entrenchment of good governance and initiation of a unique traders’ empowerment programme, also unanimously endorsed his re-election in 2019, saying that he has “performed creditably in just two years in office despite the daunting economic challenges in the country”.
While expressing their appreciation and support, the traders shut all the markets in the state and mobilised themselves en masse to the venue of the rally to honour the governor. They expressed gratitude to him for good governance and his uncommon empowerment initiatives drawn from his desire to give traders in the state a sense of belonging and bring them closer to the government as the true heroes of democracy.
Announcing the decision to shut the markets, the president general of the association, Temple Ude, in a statement issued earlier, stated that “the plan to shut down the markets to celebrate Gov. Ugwuanyi was a unanimous decision of the traders in the state”.
Ude stated that the rally will be unprecedented in the history of the state as “all the markets in the state will be shut down on Thursday, June 15, 2017 and all roads will lead to Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where excited traders will converge en masse to appreciate and celebrate our traders-friendly Governor for his support and good governance.”
One of the reasons for Ugwuanyi’s galore of endorsements is the empowerment programme tagged “Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme”, which was the brain child of the governor flagged off on February 21, 2017, it is pertinent to note that the scheme was one of the policy thrusts of the present administration carefully designed to assist the traders to grow their various businesses for the socio-economic stimulation of the state.
It has a package of N60 million annually to be won by 100 lucky winners monthly at N50,000 each through an open raffle draw.
It estimates that 1,200 genuine traders in the state will be empowered annually. Presently, 400 traders have so far benefited.
The governor’s vision has remained that winners of the lottery will invest the money into their various businesses to help promote all round economic growth in the state.
Blueprint recalls that Ugwuanyi’s administration had organised a similar open lottery programme for civil servants in the state from grade levels 1-10, where 100 lucky winners won one unit of one-bedroom apartment each at Elim Estate, Enugu, with the state government paying over 50 per cent equity contribution – a landmark feat that saw 100 lucky civil servants become proud landlords in the state.
In his address, Ude stated that the traders are very happy and at home with Governor Ugwuanyi for his visionary leadership and the empowerment programme initiated by his administration, adding that “the idea was to stimulate the economy of the state as well as alleviate the sufferings of the people”.
The traders even expressed desire for the governor to govern the state beyond 2023. Hear Ude: “Your Excellency, no government in the past has ever attempted to establish the existing relationship between traders and government. Traders in Enugu State have resolved that if tenure elongation is democratic, they will sponsor a bill that Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should be cleared for third term in office. Sir, we are committed to showing loyalty and sacrifice to your government, hence you have done much to traders in Enugu State”.
The president general applauded the cordial relationship existing between the governor and traders in the state, saying that it “is equal to none when compared to other states in Nigeria, especially in the south-east states”.
On security and workers’ welfare, he noted that Mr. Ugwuanyi has created “an enviable security outreach in the 17 local government areas with the establishment and equipping of the Neighbourhood watch associations in all the nooks and crannies of the state, and has equally remained regular in the payment of workers’ salaries, disclosing that such feat has gone a long way in encouraging traders to do business in the state”.
“We are convinced that even with the current economic hardship you still positively navigate the affairs of the state for the betterment of the people of Enugu State. We have unanimously endorsed your re-election come 2019”, the president general declared with a loud ovation from the traders.
The traders equally commended the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, for his accessibility to them, disclosing that this is the first time since the inception of democracy in the state traders’ complaints are being “treated promptly without any iota of nepotism”.
Responding, Ugwuanyi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the traders and the people of Enugu state, saying that “the Traders’ Empowerment Scheme, carefully designed to boost economic activities in the state and improve the lives of the ordinary members of the society, was “in line with our promise to deploy government resources and services to create fair and equal opportunity for every citizen to make a living, create wealth and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.
The governor said: “We have indeed resolved to do all that is necessary to better the lot of traders in Enugu State and in this regard, I promise that we will never allow anyone to harass, oppress or exploit you as you go about your legitimate businesses. Be assured that we will deal with any such case, promptly, decisively and comprehensively, as soon as it is brought to our notice.
“We are discussing with financial institutions, international corporations and other relevant organisations on the ways and means of extending easier and more convenient lines of credit and other facilities to traders in Enugu State.
“We are also working to upgrade the capacity of the Enugu State Marketing Company to arrange special import services for traders just as we are committed to the continuous development and equipment of markets in Enugu State as part of the efforts being made to create a more conducive environment for business and commercial activities to thrive in the state.
To keen observers, the outpouring of endorsements, which are in recognition of the governor’s people-oriented programmes aimed at impacting positively on the lives of the people, are but bold statements about 2019 governorship race in the state, because is another way of telling any politician ambitious of joining the race to have a re think. But time will definitely tell.
Recently, in Enugu, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu West and North Senatorial Districts, unanimously endorsed him for second term because of what they described as…
