A political activist and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Comrade Odinaka Okechukwu, says the people of Isi-Uzo would vote Dr. Peter Mbah rather than their kinsman and Labour Party governorship candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, as the latter’s governorship would be “a monumental failure”.
Okechukwu, who hails from Mgbuji or Eha-Amufu Ward 3, as Edeoga, said that the former commissioner “is lacking in capacity, empathy, competence, and dependability” needed to lead Enugu State.
He equally described as dishonourable a situation where Edeoga, who served as Commissioner in both Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s first and second terms, would turn around to allegedly gang-up with “some Enugu North Senatorial District elements” against the same governor and government he served in for over seven years “simply because he lost the governorship ticket in a free and fair contest”
The political activist stated these in an interview with newsmen following his return to the PDP, which he said was informed by Edeoga’s defection to the Labour party.
He said he and hundreds of other returnees initially left the PDP over what he described as “the highhandedness, lack of vision, and absence of progressive philosophies among some of those, including Chijioke Edeoga, who held sway as political leaders of Eha-Amufu” under the PDP.
On what Edeoga’s governorship portends for Enugu, should he win, Okechukwu said, “He will be a monumental disaster. For 25 years, he has served as the Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, Member House of Representatives, Special Assistant to the President, Commissioner for Local Government in Ugwuanyi’s first term and Commissioner for Environment in Ugwuanyi’s second term. Let him come home and show his kinsmen what he has achieved for Mgbuji, Eha-Amufu, and Isi-Uzo.
“The only constituency project he attracted, as House of Representatives Member is located around Central School Eha-Ohuala in Eha-Amufu. It remains uncompleted and in total ruins over 20 years after.
“And how do you explain the fact that the major bridge leading to Mgbuji had since collapsed and that the only bridge leading into the community today is the one attracted by Senator Gil Nnaji while in the House of Representatives?”
On the seeming support for Edeoga’s ticket in Enugu North Senatorial District, and attacks on Governor Ugwuanyi, he explained, “Forget the propaganda. The attacks you see are the handiworks of a few, who unjustly feel that Ugwuanyi should have worked for the old Nsukka zone to do another eight years after him. This is the interest Edeoga claims to represent even though he is now from Enugu East Zone where Isi-Uzo is currently located.
“the rest are people ganged-up by those who desperately want to make their son-in-law, Edeoga, governor by wiping up old Nsukka zone sentiment.
“But don’t forget that Ugwuanyi was an indigene of Isi-Uzo LGA until Udenu was created out of Isi-Uzo in 1981. Isi-Uzo used to be in Nsukka Zone. Again, Edeoga is his close maternal relation. All these must have informed his decision not to look in Isi-Uzo’s direction in search for a successor so it doesn’t appear like one LGA or family holding power for 16 straight years. That, to me, is statesmanship and sense of justice; and I’m sure most of our people understand that.
“Besides, Ugwuanyi has done well for Isi-Uzo and Eha-Amufu. For instance, before his administration, you needed two clothes when journeying out of Eha-Amufu – the one you would wear on a bike to Nkalagu Junction and the one you would wear before going to Enugu because of mud or dust, depending on the season.
“But Ugwuanyi came here during his campaign and promised us brotherly love. Yet it is this same governor that did our road, etc.and also made Edeoga commissioner twice that Edeoga is ganging up with some Enugu North Zone elements to fight for their selfish interest simply because he didn’t get PDP’s governorship ticket. Is that the way of somebody with content of character?”
He accused the Labour Party governorship candidate of trying to benefit from the growing popularity of peter Obi’s ticket in the South East even after signing an accord of PDP governorship aspirants of Enugu East Senatorial District extraction to back any of them endorsed by Ugwuanyi as his successor.
He alleged that Edeoga’s community, Mgbuji, had two 2020 and 2021 petitions against him pending before Governor Ugwuanyi as well as two 2021 lawsuits against the Labour Party candidate and others over land-grabbing, burning of farmlands, and human rights abuses and unlawful detention of hapless villagers.
Okechukwu advised Enugu people not to be moved by party, but by individual track records, character, and manifesto.
“Edeoga only changed his mind long after congratulating Mbah just because he feels he could benefit from the growing popularity of Peter Obi’s presidential candidacy in the South East. Can’t you see that he puts Obi’s picture beside his on his billboards? Edeoga can’t stand on his own, has never stood on his own. He owes whatever political offices he ever occupied to his in-laws, the Nwodo family and to Ugwuanyi.
“So, Enugu people must be very careful in choosing their governor. Obi and Edeoga are different persons with different idiosyncrasies. Nobody should be deceived.
“Enugu people should ask to know what each governorship candidate has done outside serving in successive governments. They should ask to know what businesses they have successfully run, how many Nigerians and youths are employed by their respective businesses? We must weigh people on the strength of their individual character, competence, and manifesto.
“Someone, who couldn’t lead his community well can’t possibly lead Enugu State. Edeoga should make peace with his people because first Charity begins at home”, he concluded.
