Ugwuanyi Receives Endorsement of Enugu Royal Fathers

All the traditional rulers of the 450 autonomous communities in the Enugu State have unanimously endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office.

This is coming as ex-Governor of old Enugu State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has declared Ugwuanyi as the best performing Governor in Nigeria.

The Enugu State royal fathers, who converged on the popular Michael Okpara square, Enugu for what they described as a “mega apolitical grand rally,” said their decision was in adherence to the stance of “all our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters in various walks of life” on the performance assessment and endorsement of the governor’s re-election in 2019.

The monarchs added that they were delighted that without a dissenting voice each individual and group, “especially the religious and members of the ecclesiastical orders, elders, political class; professionals,  academic;  self-employed,  pensioners, working class, traders; artisans and youths” extolled Ugwuanyi’s exceptional moral virtues and superlative performance in the discharge of his duties as governor.

They disclosed that “all groups of people in Enugu State across political divide have separately approved the performance of Ugwuanyi and have declared him their candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election”, saying “This is why we called this mega apolitical grand rally to declare before Nigeria and the world that we stand head and shoulder with our people”.

Describing Ugwuanyi as the “most accessible, humble, unassuming, respectful and friendly” governor, the monarchs added that he has supported and enhanced their status; incorporated them into the administrative structure of governance “and empowered us to be agents of development of our respective communities”, saying “You have celebrated all joyous occasions for us and with us”.

The royal fathers equally honoured the governor with a collective presentation of “Ofo” as “the time-honoured symbol of protection, dignity, authority, power and moral rectitude in Igboland”, declaring: “With it, no harm will ever come your way and there will never be a limit to your rising star. It shall be well with you as each Royal Father supplicates for you in his own faith and religion. Amen”.

Responding,  Ugwuanyi, who expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for “this singular privilege” and the support and cooperation they have been according his administration since inception, noted that he has always treated the traditional institution with a difference and honour “as a custodian of our culture and the traditional head of our various communities”.

According to the governor, “it is certainly unique for traditional rulers of a state to come together to pray and confer a chieftaincy title on a sitting governor and also unanimously endorse him for a second tenure in office”.

The colourful  was also graced by leaders in the state, such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the National Assembly; and Speaker of the state House of Assembly,  Hon. Edward Ubosi and his colleagues, among others.

On his part, Nwodo also described  Ugwuanyi as “a humble, indefatigable, humane and outstanding manager of men and resources, for the development of Enugu State”.

Speaking during a thanksgiving mass and endorsement rally for  Ugwuanyi by his kinsmen from Orba Udulekenyi in Udenu Local Government Area, the former governor appreciated the various endorsements for the governor’s re-election in 2019 from all spheres of the society because of his performance and uncommon leadership style, describing it as a good omen for the state. 

“We will not be tired of commending your performance,  pray for you and eulogise your uncommon leadership style,” Nwodoh said.