By PETRUS OBI
The race to the Enugu Lion building is gradually shaping up. The coast is also getting clearer as the pretenders gradually give way to the contenders.
Nineteen aspirants may have obtained the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP nomination forms but the game is gradually narrowing down to about four to five aspirants.
The issue of zoning appear to have been settled even before the PDP makes an official statement on it.
There appear to be a tacit but overwhelming agreement that the Enugu East Zone should produce the next governor come 2023.
The zone has also produced the largest number of the aspirants in line with the existing zoning formular which is expected to be announced soon.
EverydayNews findings reveal the top contenders to include Capt Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, Barr Peter Mbah and Hon Chijioke Edeoga.
Bookmakers believe that the next governor will certainly emerge from these four leading aspirants who have shown readiness and preparedness to take over from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
They are all from the favoured Enugu East Senatorial Zone.
Capt Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) and Barr. Peter Mbah hails from Nkanu East LGA, who have canvassed for the position on the grounds of the backwardness of the area in terms of development.
Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary hails from Nkanu West while former Reps member Hon Chijioke Edeoga is from Isi-uzo LGA.
Bookmakers have not lost sight of aspirants like former Minister Barth Nnaji, former SSG G.O.C Ajah among others, but believe that at the end of the day the governor would emerge from the four leading aspirants.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu another strong aspirant failed to make the list of the top contenders due to the issue of zoning.
From all indications the former Deputy President of the Senate may have to fight from outside which will make it very difficult considering how the Enugu politics is structued.
Ekweremadu was able to turn the table in 2015 because of the carefree nature of the then governor Sullivan Chime and the sudden resignation of the then State Chairman of the PDP Engr Vita Abba.
With the successful conduct and election of the 3-man ward delegates, Ekweremadu may be moving against the tide. EverydayNews does not see the Senator leaving the party.
It won’t however, be a surprise if Ekweremadu negotiates himself back to Senate as a last option.
To be continued.
Keep a date as we weigh the individual chances of the top four aspirants.
