Samson Ezea
With the massive and overwhelming victory of Enugu State governor and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the slogan and message in the Coal city has changed from it will end in Praise to indeed, it has ended in Praise. Yes, the outcome of the guber poll was not a surprise to observers and followers of politics and governance in the state since Gov. Ugwuanyi assumed office in 2015.
It was indeed expected that the exercise would end in Praise, because apart from the governor’s remarkable performance in the face of obvious financial constraints, the governor and his team campaigned intensely and vigorously for votes across the state. They left no stone unturned and gave no room for lapses. This was even when the odds, determining factors and other permutations ahead of the poll have favoured the governor to win massively. Unlike before in the state, Ugwuanyi’s reelection bid enjoyed unprecedented and unflinching support of the majority residents of the state, especially the workers, students, traders, ethnic and religious groups. On their own and for the love they have for the governor and the state, they campaigned for his reelection across the state.
As already attested to by the local and foreign election observers, the election was very peaceful and orderly in the state. Apart from voting materials arriving polling units in time, there was no electoral malpractice or violent anywhere, unlike what was witnessed in other states, where election was suspended and declared inconclusive due to obvious electoral violence and malpractice. Voters were never induced, intimidated or molested, rather they freely utilised the peaceful atmosphere to make their choice by casting their votes massively for Gov. Ugwuanyi, making it possible for him to poll 449,935 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Ayogu Eze of All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled a meagre 10,423 votes, which is less than five per cent of the total votes cast. The margin which is not only wide, but embarrassing showed the magnitude of support, Gov. Ugwuanyi enjoyed from the majority voters in the state. In short, the celebrations and fanfare that have continued to trail his reelection victory among the residents of the state is an evidence of his popularity and acceptance by the people. Just like Gov. Ugwuanyi’s name Ifeanyichukwu, meaning Nothing Pass God, his overwhelming success at the poll is a confirmation and continuation of God’s presence in his life and the affairs of the state, which he handed over to God at the inception of his administration.
It would be recall that on assumption of office in 2015, Ugwuanyi, had wholeheartedly and dedicatedly handed over the affairs of the state to God Almighty. He was not pretentious or hypocritical about it. It was that singular decision that brought about the prevalent slogan in the state titled ‘Enugu State Is In The Hands Of God.’ At every gathering, be it government, private or public event, Governor Ugwuanyi, before any speech, always give God the glory, adoration and honour for what is happening in the state. Initially, many people relying on past experiences, thought that the slogan is a mere political gimmick or rhetoric, coined by the governor and his team to hoodwink or mesmerize the people as usual.
But by the time Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration hit the ground running with people-oriented policies and programmes, massive infrastructural development, youth empowerment, development of rural areas, provision of adequate security, good governance, transparency, fairness and others, aimed at bettering the lives of the residents of the state, the people became highly convinced that the governor truly meant well for the state. And that the slogan Enugu Is In The Hands of God is neither a fluke nor political deceit. For three years plus, Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration’s commitment and steadfastness to its core mandate of promoting peace and development through inclusive, good and eclectic leadership style made his government the toast of the people. His government’s actions and inactions spoke louder than its voice.
It didn’t take long Enugu State became a reference point in all areas of development, ranging from being the most peaceful state to a state with ease of doing business by World Bank rating, state where workers’ welfare is paramount, a state where aggressive urban/rural infrastructural development are top priorities, state where equity, fairness and competence reign supreme and others. With these, Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration enjoyed the unalloyed support and solidarity of all and sundry in the state. Not even the opposition parties, religious, tribal, traditional and professional groups could resist the urge of lending their support to his administration, because of its overwhelming achievements.
To Gov. Ugwuanyi, Weekday, weekend, holidays are all the same. They are workdays. No wonder, before Gov. Ugwuanyi declared publicly for his second term bid, majority residents of the state have told politicians, who cared to listen that there will be no vacancy in Enugu Lion Building in 2019. They advised politicians not to waste their resources contesting election against Governor Ugwuanyi, because he deserved and merited second term. This was demonstrated by the people through the gale of endorsements by various groups, when Gov. Ugwuanyi finally declared for second term in office. Considering that election is a game of numbers and looking at the massive support for Gov. Ugwuanyi’s reelection across the nooks and crannies of the state, the choice of the campaign slogan it will end in Praise by the governor’s team was not only apt, it was prophetic and visionary.
With the overwhelming victory of Gov. Ugwuanyi and other PDP candidates in the governorship/ House Assembly elections, the prophetic campaign message, it will end in Praise has not only been fulfilled, it will forever remain evergreen in the memory of the people of the state, especially the political class, who had always taken God and the voters for granted in leadership and during elections.
It will help people to realise the need of putting God first in all their endeavors and live up to the people’s expectation through selfless service in public office. It is not enough to mouth God, without genuinely living Christ-like life. Ugwuanyi didn’t only professed God, he lived and led the state with the fear of God in the last three years plus and thereby enjoyed tremendous goodwill and support of the people. His government is that of the Biblical allusion that when the righteous is on the throne, the people will always rejoice.
No doubt, the people of Enugu had truly rejoiced in the last three years plus of Ugwuanyi’s administration. Now that they have reelected him for a second term with large number of votes, Gov. Ugwuanyi has reaffirmed in his acceptance speech that he and his team will continue to serve the people of the state with the fear of God, humility and unwavering commitment to improving of lives and lifting the state to unprecedented heights. With this, it means that why Ugwuanyi’s administration lasts, Enugu State will truly and continually be in the hands of God.
Ezea, writes from Independence Layout, Enugu State
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