ENUGU 2023: PORT HARCOURT STANDS STILL AS ENUGU INDIGENES HOST EKWEREMADU, URGE HIM TO COME AND TRANSFORM ENUGU
Port Harcourt: Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, virtually stood still on Friday when Enugu State indigenes resident in Rivers hosted Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR, PhD, former three-time Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate.
The event was organised by several support groups promoting the lawmaker’s Enugu 2023 Governorship Project, such as the Enugu Solidarity Group for Ikeoha 2023 and Ikeoha Movement 2023. The venue of the event, Swiss Spirit Hotel, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, was filled beyond its capacity. However, Nigerians from other states of Ala-Igbo and other parts of the country were also in attendance to interact with the Senator representing Enugu West in the Red Chamber, who they referred to as a national icon of democracy.
In his speech, Ekweremadu commended the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for the brotherly reception he accorded him when he visited him at the Rivers State Government House and also for delivering good governance to the state.He said that he was in Port Harcourt to interact with Enugu citizens in Rivers State, to share ideas on leadership, democracy and good governance.
“I’m here to interact with Enugu Citizens, as well as other Nigerians, so as to share ideas on leadership, democracy and good governance because of my belief that Nigeria can be transformed, starting from Enugu State. “What we are looking at is how to change the narrative because Enugu State is very strategic, being the capital of the defunct Eastern Region and the capital of Ndigbo.
“In Nigeria, we focus 80 per cent of our attention and energy on politics and only 20 per cent on good governance. We are going to change that narrative, starting with Enugu State.”In Education, we intend to revive and reform the Primary School sector so that people will come to schools in Enugu instead of going to Togo and Ghana.”Every community in Enugu State deserves good roads because every road is an economic corridor, bringing economic development to that community and beyond. Again, bad roads fuel insecurity. For instance, kidnappers take advantage of bad road portions to strike”.
On security, Ekweremadu re-emphasised his belief that decentralisation of the Police was necessary.He also wants more opportunities for Enugu people in the Federal Government and international organisations.”We will ensure that we can create opportunities such that even our people who live outside Enugu will be accommodated in the Governance structure of the states where they live”, he stated.
On his relationship with the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ekweremadu stated that there was no problem between him and the Governor, whom he described as a personal friend. “Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Ifeanyi, is my personal friend. I have known him for more than 30 years, from when we were both in the private sector and when we joined Government. We have no problem whatsoever.
“By the grace of God, I will be running for Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi will not be running for Governor. Those who believe that I have a problem with the Governor will definitely be disappointed. “Chimaroke Nnamani appointed me as his Chief of Staff, the First Chief of Staff to a Governor, anywhere in Nigeria. I don’t have any problems with him. In fact, I remain his Chief of Staff. So, where I go, he goes. Same goes for Sullivan Chime, my friend and brother.”The Nwodos have been long standing friends of mine. I also enjoy a very cordial relationship with other leaders in Enugu State, including Chief Jim Nwobodo.
On the issue of zoning, the former Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament said: “I have been involved in politics of Enugu State, at least from 1999. Let any person who speaks of a zoning agreement say who and who were there and in whose house the meeting was held. But I will not argue with them because politics is like religion, and everyone has their own argument.
“For my friends from Enugu North, the argument is that it has gone round, it can start from anywhere, including Nsukka.”Those of my friends from Enugu East say zoning started in 1999 from Enugu East, so it should start from us again. Of course, that too is an argument. “Those from Isi-Uzo will say, we are from Enugu East, we have been marginalised, it is our turn.”My constituents from Enugu West can say, others have had it twice, we have only had it once. Of course, that is an argument.”The people from Awgu Cultural Zone, where I come from, can say that we have never had it at all, when is it going to be our turn?”The truth is that, I, Ike, am not interested in those arguments. I’m interested in who will deliver good governance to Enugu State.
“So, if the people of Enugu State weigh all of us on the scale and have someone, who can deliver good governance better than me, let us follow the person. We want Enugu to be at the forefront of good governance in Africa. God has given us opportunity to gain experience and exposure. It is nice to apply those experience and exposure to improving the welfare of our people. I believe that by the grace of God, we will get it right in the next election.”
In the interactive session that followed, key representatives of Enugu State citizens in Rivers State cutting across various sectors of the society participated through questions and comments.In his own contribution, Rt Hon Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, the member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, assured all that Ekweremadu was going to make good his promises
“Ikeoha will deliver on all his promises. You can take that to the bank” he assured.The former banking guru added: “Our Governor is part and parcel of our movement. We will do our best to bring in the best hands to turn around Enugu State”.
He highlighted Ekweremadu’s outstanding achievements, especially how he was able to prevail on Oilserv, the company handling the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project, to alter their initial design, just to ensure that the gas deposits in Amansiodo – Oghe and Olo, both in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State were included in the project.
Earlier in his welcome address, Hon Emeka Chime, Director General, Enugu Solidarity Group for Ikeoha 2023 and Convener of the event welcomed Ekweremadu, describing the lawmaker as a man of the people.”Ikeoha, we want to assure you of the total support of Ndị Enugu resident in Rivers State for your 2023 Governorship project” he added.
Also, Hon Engr Chuks Udeh, Director General, Ikeoha Movement 2023 and Co-Convener of the event, thanked Senator Ekweremadu for graciously honouring their invitation.”Apart from ESG and Ikeoha Movement, several other groups here, were also planning to host Ikeoha. That shows your popularity and the enthusiasm of our people for your Governorship project”, he said.
Chief Charles Ndukwe, a former Commissioner for Youths & Sports during Governor Ugwuanyi’s first tenure, said that “based on Senator Ekweremadu’s intimidating track record, it is Ndị Enugu that need him and are pleading with him to contest the Enugu State Governorship Election so as to transform the state with his uncommon touch”.
Ambassador Gloria Ibe-Ani, a certifified shipper promoting logistics and supply chain in oil and gas industry, who spoke on behalf of Enugu women in Rivers State, commended Ekweremadu for his tremendous developmental strides. “I’m not a politician, but because of you, I’m joining politics. I used to believe Nigerian politicians all believed in self aggrandisement. But you have changed that perception”, she said.
In his Vote of Thanks, Hon. Ogbo Asogwa, a Commissioner for Housing during Governor Ugwuanyi’s first term, stated emphatically that Senator Ekweremadu was already in the ring to contest for the Governorship of Enugu State.
He asserted: “Senator Ekweremadu is already in the ring in the contest for the Governorship of Enugu State. We are yet to see anyone to challenge him. “Ikeoha wants to take Enugu State to a higher level. Even as a lawmaker without executive powers and resources, Ikeoha is doing projects all over Enugu State, not just Enugu West. Enugu is supposed to be home for all Igbos, but that is failing. That is why we need him to raise the bar”
Orba indigenes in Port Harcourt equally hosted Ekweremadu, who they referred to as the “incoming Governor of Enugu State come 2023” to a gala night on Friday night.
