Enugu 2023: Ekweremadu Has Nothing To Offer – Valentine Martins

I couldn’t imagine how funny it felt reading a piece on Senator Ike Ekweremadu written by Raymond Okechi and published today, 10th December 2021.

It is obvious it was sponsored. Raymond lacked the skill of hiding his intentions, and it is my desire to interrogate some of the points he raised.

What makes Ike Ekweremadu the better candidate? According to Raymond, “Ekweremadu is someone other parties and states are begging to have.” Which parties are begging him to fly their flag? APC? APGA? Ok, I get it. It is supposed to still be secret.

Very true, in 2023, it will be 26 solid years since he shot into the political limelight. And it is not yet time to retire? Ekweremadu started as chairman of Aninri Local Government Council on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). That was in 1997. He has served as secretary to the state government in 2001, Chief of Staff to the governor of Enugu State, from 1999 and 2001.

He has been in the Senate since 2003 representing the good people of Enugu West and was made vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Information returning in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. True according to the author of the post, only a few people in Nigeria and I dare say Africa have that kind of political resumé.

In 2015, he was elected Deputy Senate President. And a man this blessed hasn’t had enough. What else do you call this? Ambition? Greed? Or an ugly blend of both?

The brown envelope journalist categorically states that Ekweremadu is the most qualified of them’. Really? For representing recycled leadership? For making himself a demi-god in Enugu East?

Most qualified for making Enugu West believe that he is the smartest of them all? Otherwise one will wonder why he has not thought it wise to relinquish power and empower the younger generation. Does he believe in success with successors?

Unequivocally, Ekweremadu represents recycled leadership, one thing we should say no to. He is a lawmaker bent on enacting an anti-clockwise political movement.

2023 draws close with every tick-tock of the clock, and the Lion House doesn’t look like a retirement package for a man who has been in power for almost two decades and a half.

Suddenly, there is no more zoning. Suddenly a heavy beneficiary of the zoning structure in Enugu knows nothing of it. The reason is simple. Zoning this time won’t benefit his ambition.

Is it arguable that zoning has brought considerable peace in the electioneering process of Enugu State? Will those opposed to zoning do so if it was their turn by the zoning arrangement?

The clamour to truncate zoning is chiefly fueled by personal and selfish ambition of those interested in the Governorship position come 2023? If it is not broken, don’t try fixing it. The ambition of one man and his cohorts cannot, will not prevail over the greater good of more Ndi Enugu.

Valentine Martins,
Enugu