…Gburugburu, Ebeano jitters
▪️By Chibuzo Omeni
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, political activities are on top gear among the major political parties that have fielded candidates for various elective positions across the country.
At the Federal (Presidential and National Assembly) level campaigns have since commenced, while at States (Governorship and House of Assembly cadre) preparations are on as due date for start of campaign is being awaited. While the wait is on, some consultations are ongoing.
Recently in Enugu State, the seven autonomous communities that make up Ehamufu clan in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu East Senatorial Zone organized a befitting homecoming for their illustrious son, the Labour Party governorship candidate for Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga.
At the ceremony which attracted who is who in Ehamufu, Isi-Uzo LGA and beyond, Ndoha Ehamufu rolled out their drums and turned out in an unprecedented numbers to receive their very own Edeoga.
Rt Rev Dan Olinya, the Anglican Bishop of Ehamufu Diocese, extolled Edeoga’s exemplary qualities and on behalf of Ehamufu people prayed for his success in next year’s Enugu State governorship election.
An octogenarian Elder Anukaenyi Ogbuzuru from Umuhu Ozibo Echi Community, thanked God for keeping him alive to witness a day like this where “an Ehamufu son is being unanimously celebrated”.
The 87 year old said he was not surprised because that was a track record already set by the late Chief OJ Edeoga who was Chijioke’s father. He prayed God to spare his life so he could pray for their son on the day of his swearing in as governor.
In an interaction one of the elders of the clan, who pleaded anonymity, said he was part of the organizers of the reception, commended the virtues of the Edeoga family especially their illustrious son, Chijioke. He said that every government facility/infrastructure present in Ehamufu were traceable to or attracted by either Chijioke’s late father, retired Principal OJ Edeoga or Chijioke himself, who keeps to every promise he makes. Reason they gave him the chieftaincy title of Okaomee (promise keeper).
He described Chijioke Edeoga as a chip off an old block and expressed strong optimism that Chijioke Edeoga will lead Enugu State to greater heights if he was elected as governor.
The elder statesman further hinted that the reception was one of the rare occasions that the entire seven (7) autonomous communities that make up Ehamufu clan would come together to organize.
“It is not always that all the 7 autonomous communities in this our clan come together. This is because Chijioke is a great son of Ehamufu who has done many things for us. We made him Chief Okaomee.
“This event cost us more than N10m which we happily raised among ourselves. I am sure you noticed the huge crowd here and you saw the two giant live cows we presented to him to honour him? He deserves more. Our prayer and plea to the rest of Enugu people is to support our son in next year’s election.
Also speaking, an erudite scholar and community Chief, Ochiagha Mbu, Denchris N. Onah, who is a Professor of Veterinary Immunoparasitology in the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, prays that Chijioke Edeoga becomes the best governor of Enugu State if elected. This he argued is because “Chijioke is a clean, honest and humane person who will use Enugu state resources to work for Enugu State people”.
The Ochiagha Mbu added that a governor Chijioke Edeoga would “create a situation of production where the youth would be (meaningfully) engaged in productive ventures instead of using them for political thuggery and all manner of vices as is the prevailing situation in the state today”.
Similarly, the people of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State at a recent event in Ovoko have publicly declared their adoption of Chijioke Edeoga as their son since one of their own who occupies the highest political office in the state has abandoned them to their fate despite their sacrifices and huge contributions towards his ascendency to power. Three communities in the area with Ovoko the ancient town have come all out to support the governorship candidacy of Edeoga whom they refer to as an answered prayer for their people.
They promised not to leave any stone unturned in making sure that he emerged victorious.
Elders and leaders of thought from these communities who are bemoaning their abandonment and total rejection by the present government in the state are pledging their support for Edeoga’s governorship ambition in 2023.
Also in Igbo-Etiti LGA in the same Enugu North Senatorial Zone, a group known as Obi-Edeoga Support Group have embarked on ward to ward sensitization meeting to take the good news of Chijioke Edeoga’s LP governorship candidacy to the villages. In their unanimous resolve, they decided to go to the remotest areas to preach the gospel.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after one of the meetings, the Local Government Coordinator of Peter Obi-Chijioke Edeoga Support Group Mr. Fredrick Odo said that the Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi PDP government of lies and deceit have taken Enugu State many years backwards, and advised the 20 ward coordinators of the group to be vigilant, gallant, committed and law-abiding while preaching the good news. He further affirmed that Chijioke Edeoga has proven to be an impeccable personality who is unblemished throughout his public service career.
“Of all the candidates for the 2023 Enugu State governorship election, Barr Chijioke Edeoga is the best. He has served in various capacities and no case of corrupt enrichment can be traced to him. He was Local Government Chairman, Member House of Representatives, Aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, a two time Commissioner in Enugu State among others. In all these he rendered dedicated service and came out clean.
“Other political parties parade people with questionable characters. People who appear wealthy without verifiable source of income, do we talk about grand oppressors of their people, having their knees on the neck of the people and want to be governor?
“It is important to note that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration is the worst in Enugu State since 1999, and we cannot allow such failure to continue. It is an insult on the psych of Enugu people to impose an alleged fraudulent Peter Mbah on us. Enugu State should not be allowed to slide into the monster of Ebeano mercantile triangle”.
The coordinators in turn promised not to relent in supporting H E Peter Obi and Hon Barr Chijioke Edeoga to victory in their various wards.
The people of Achi in Oji River LGA as well as Amansiodo Ihuoyia in Ezeagu LGA both in Enugu West Senatorial Zone are not left out in the euphoric atmosphere of enthusiastic expression of support flowing like a river across the state.
It was jubilation among the people when traditional rulers, elders and members of some communities converged on Achi in Oji River LGA to receive the Labour Party governorship candidate Chijioke Edeoga and his deputy governorship candidate Dr John Nwokeabia.
Similar scenario played out a few days ago at Amansiodo Ihuoyia when the traditional ruler, elders, leaders and members of the community welcomed Edeoga and his entourage who was invited to identify with the people at their New Yam festival.
In the month of September 2022, a group of dynamic young ladies known as White Rose Group, with membership drawn from all the 17 LGAs of Enugu State, in declaring their unflinching support for Edeoga’s governorship bid on a courtesy call to the Guber candidate said PDP had become a motion less train on the track of progress in the state hence their resolve to “mobilize support for “ugbo na aga aga” (moving train) in the person of Edeoga.
The Group’s Coordinator, Amb. Njideka told the LP guber candidate that they came to show their unalloyed solidarity and assure him of their ever readiness to tour the 17 LGAs of the State immediately the window for governorship campaign was declared open, charging Hon. Edeoga to remain strong and steadfast, and expect victory in the end.
Symbol of authority, truth and justice, (the traditional Ofor) was given to Chief Chijioke Edeoga by traditional rulers, and Elders Council of the communities in the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
The excitement expressed by leaders and members of communities across the state on sighting Edeoga shows his wide acceptance among the people.
Little wonder Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi coupled with his Ebeano associates is said to be in panic mode resulting in desperate recruitment of hundreds of canvassers for possible vote buying particularly in Enugu North Senatorial District so he could go to the Senate to continue to enjoy his alleged loots to which the people have said no.
Meanwhile the Enugu State Labour party gov’ship candidate Chijioke Edeoga who has spent almost 24 years in public service from being an aide to the late Dr Joe Nwodo and later Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, to being Isi-Uzo LG Council Chairman in Enugu State, held State and Federal political positions including Aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and two time Commissioner, has never been linked to any form of financial impropriety. He recently declared himself open for any form of investigation if anyone was in doubt of his transparency.
One wonders whether other gov’ship candidates of other political parties in Enugu State can muster the boldness to make such declaration of themselves?
On the flip side, the food in the bellies of the Chimaroke founded Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led Ebeano association (thugs) is “melted to watery gas” as they continue to encounter one setback after another based on accounts of corruption, insincerity and mercantilism in government of Enugu State.
To the teaming peaceable and hardworking NdiEnugu especially the women and youth, Chijioke Edeoga says… “Take back Enugu! Make it work again!!”
_Chibuzo Omeni a roving reporter hails from Ugbene Ajima, Enugu State_
