It was a gathering of who is who in Enugu North senatorial zone of Enugu State on Saturday when the people of Enugu North zone (Nsukka) from all walks of life, converged in their thousands on Nsukka High School ground for a Unity Rally organised in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, an occasion where the people hailed his leadership style and unanimously passed a vote of confidence on him.
The people did not only declare their support for the governor, they reassured him they were solidly behind him.
They commended Ugwuanyi for his administration’s sustained efforts in developing the zone, which they said had been marginalised over the years.
The people also praised the governor for entrenching peace and good governance in Enugu State.
Speaking at the event, an All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwart, and Ugwuanyi’s strongest contender in the governorship election, Senator Ayogu Eze, told Ugwuanyi that he is proud of his remarkable achievements in Nsukka area and Enugu State in spite of the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges.
He reiterated his unalloyed support for the governor.
Eze declared that “this gathering is to reassure you that your people are solidly behind you” …“march on” and “move on”.
Eze, who stated that he was very happy to be alive to witness the event where every Nsukka man gathered in unity to show support and solidarity to one of their own, in the person of Ugwuanyi, also charged the governor to continue with his laudable vision for the zone and the state.
Others who spoke at the event included former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Pat Asadu; the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the Bishops of Nsukka Catholic and Anglican Dioceses, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and Most Rev. Alloysius Agbo respectively, Nsukka Professors, 145 traditional rulers in the zone who came with their cabinet members, and the Chairman of “Odimma” Nsukka, organiser the event, Chief Vita Abba, among others.
Abba said that the group felt that it was imperative that Nsukka people should unite and come together to support their own, encourage and offer prayers for his continued success till the end of his tenure, declaring that “our support for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is irrevocable”.
On his part, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Chief Nwodo, spoke in the same direction, reemphasizing the need for the people of Nsukka zone to unite and rally round the governor, saying: “We were marginalized in the past but Gov. Ugwuanyi has wiped away our tears”.
The former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Nwodo, said that it was a thing of joy that he was alive to see an Nsukka governor after him, and urged the people of Nsukka zone to also unite and take advantage of the numerical strength to give Ugwuanyi the maximum support he deserves.
Reaffirming their firm support for Ugwuanyi, the 145 traditional rulers in Enugu North Senatorial District told the governor, who they described as a “worthy son”, that “we are solidly behind you” and pledged the consistent support and prayers, saying: “Wherever you are going, we will go with you”.
Speaking on behalf of the Nsukka Professors, Prof. Fabian Onah, thanked Ugwuanyi for his massive infrastructural development in Enugu State, maintaining that “we are solidly behind you and we will continue to pray for you to realize more successes in this last lap of your tenure”.
Other speakers, such as Senator Utazi, Rt. Hon. Asadu, Bishop Onah and Bishop Agbo, also extolled the governor’s leadership qualities and assured him of the unalloyed support and solidarity of the people of the zone.
Responding, Ugwuanyi thanked the people of Enugu North senatorial zone for their demonstration of love, support, solidarity and goodwill and reassured them of his administration’s commitment to the sustenance of peace, unity and good governance in the state.
