A sociopolitical group called Enugu People in the Diaspora says residents of the state will not accept imposition in the choice of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s successor come 2023.
The Chairman of the group, Mr Arinze Onuora disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on some political developments in the state.
Onuora said that it had become necessary to speak up following what he called undemocratic statements credited to two former governors from the state.
Recall that the two former governors, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani had recently bared their minds about Ugwuanyi’s successor.
Nwobodo was former governor of Old Anambra State while Nnamani was the first democratically elected governor of Enugu State in 1999.
The two former governors who are proponents of zoning had said that it was the prerogative of the incumbent governor to anoint and select his successor.
However, Onuora described the statements by the two former governors as “undemocratic and unfortunate”.
He said that it was disappointing that such statements came from people who were ordinarily expected to defend democratic ethos.
He said that the group would mobilise the residents of the state against such plan.
“We are neither interested in zoning nor the governor handpicking his successor. Things are not done that way in other climes,” he said.
He said that such practice had not been in the best interest of the state, adding that whoever would succeed the incumbent would be chosen by the masses.
“We need to get it right in 2023 by electing a competent leader who will turn around the fortunes of the state.
“Let us forget the issue of the governor anointing his successor because the people need nothing but the best,” he said.
He said the Enugu people in the diaspora were disappointed at the quality of leadership in the state.
“The political and economic environment have not been supportive for people to come in to invest. We have not gotten it right.
“ The government is not working and nobody will throw their money where they will not get return on investment and that is why we are emphasizing on competence,” he said.
Onuora said that residents of the state needed nothing short of a visionary leader come 2023 as the state needed to be returned to its former glory.
He appealed to residents of the state to ensure that they participated in the process of choosing their leaders.
“What we need is a better and visionary leader who will change the way things are done,” Onuora said. (NAN)
