Thirty-six months ago, Dr. Chimaroke Ogbonnaya Nnamani MD FACOG, the first civilian Governor of Enugu State in this current democratic dispensation, launched a political platform known as Ebeano for Gburugburu. This platform was strategically crafted, leveraging his established Ebeano political family, to ensure support for the Nkanu for Governor project, ultimately benefiting Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
This endeavor culminated in the Ebeano for Gburugburu political rally at the Lion Building. This demonstration of solidarity eased the concerns of the Gburugburu political family, effectively sidelining equally legitimate aspirants from the Isi-Uzo part of the Enugu East Senatorial zone, whose candidate was Chijoke Edeoga.
During this pivotal moment, Dr. Chimaroke delivered a significant speech, punctuated by the emphatic slogan, "Listen, listen, politics is a serious business," underscoring the gravity of a situation that compelled a neonatal surgeon to leave a lucrative practice in the United States to engage in Nigerian politics.
These events were all part of a carefully orchestrated plan to ensure that Enugu East Local Government secured the coveted gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Numerous influential politicians of Nkanu extraction rallied behind this movement, especially as the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was vigorously asserting that the concept of zoning was obsolete.
It was a challenging period. Ultimately, through Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani's efforts and the influence of his Ebeano group, of which Dr. Peter Mbah was presumed to be a part, the PDP gubernatorial ticket for the 2023 general elections was secured. However, those involved were unaware that Dr. Mbah had never truly been an Ebeano member. His previous service in Chimaroke's government as Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff had led to this assumption, conveniently overlooking the circumstances of his initial entry into that administration through his aspiration for the chairmanship of Nkanu East Local Government Area. He was, simply put, an ally of Chimaroke, not a protégé of the Ebeano political family. This family would soon face unforeseen repercussions following his victory as governor.
The election of Governor Peter Mbah was facilitated almost entirely by politicians from the Ebeano and Gburugburu political families. They were instrumental, forming nearly 300 support groups to ensure his successful election. Their expectation was that Chimaroke and Gburugburu would influence political appointments in their favor. Alas, Peter Mbah had never been a career politician.
Following his tenure with Chimaroke, he receded from political life for sixteen years, only to reappear through Chimaroke Nnamani's facilitation to become governor—a position made possible by the very individuals he now seems reluctant to engage with directly.
At this juncture, it is crucial to define and distinguish between a politician and a technocrat.
A politician is one who organizes, mobilizes, and ensures the victory of their preferred candidate in an election. A politician dedicates their time, energy, and resources, often with the expectation of recompense in the form of political appointments, contract awards, and access to power. In contrast, a technocrat is typically someone who has spent their career in structured professional environments, possessing limited or no practical experience in the art and science of politics.
This distinction is vital for understanding the current Enugu conundrum—the predicament of the present Enugu government, where an estimated 80% of those in leadership positions possess minimal understanding of political dynamics and the intricacies of the political landscape.
This administration has seemingly applied corporate frameworks to politics, relying on the principles of the business world in a domain where sociology and psychology are far more influential. The realm of politics operates on the delicate art of human relations, underpinned by empathetic public communication. The fundamental purpose of government is the provision of welfare and security for its people, a goal achievable only through understanding, interacting with, and empathizing with the populace.
Regrettably, over the past 24 months, this has not been the approach of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah's administration. He has appointed individuals with limited knowledge of Enugu's socio-economic and political nuances. Many of these appointees have spent the majority of their adult lives outside Enugu, rarely returning home. Predominantly based in Lagos and the diaspora, their execution of responsibilities has often fallen short of expectations. There has been a noticeable lack of significant value addition and innovation from many, including the Yoruba individuals appointed to strategic positions, fostering a perception among some that qualified Enugu indigenes are being overlooked.
To say the least, the governor has been imprudent in his handling and management of his divinely granted victory, facilitated by Chimaroke and his allies. I believe Chimaroke is likely deeply disappointed, as his intentions, from Sullivan to Gburugburu to Peter, have been met with disillusionment. He invested considerable energy, time, and resources in elevating these men, only to witness them seemingly succumb to indiscretion and pride, turning against the patriarch of the Ebeano political school.
Nearly all the politicians in Enugu have been marginalized by the very man they tirelessly campaigned for, replaced by individuals seemingly undergoing on-the-job training under the guise of being technocrats. These new appointees are allegedly focused on personal enrichment, encountering levels of funds and access to resources unprecedented in their careers.
The Ebeano and Gburugburu political families now find themselves as bystanders and spectators in a scenario they orchestrated and executed, requiring external intermediaries to even gain an audience with the man who was consulting with them a mere 36 months prior.
It is instructive to note that within the next twelve months, politicians may again be approached for their support. The so-called technocrats will likely await the secured victory to once again sideline those who paved the way, asserting their focus on infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals, and roads. But who are the contractors executing these projects? Does this imply a lack of competence among these very politicians in handling such contracts? Furthermore, has the distribution of appointments been equitable, or has it been based on personal connections?
Good governance transcends mere rhetoric; it is about the tangible addition of value—real, impactful value. It is not about democratizing hardship and poverty through heavy-handed government policies that adversely affect the very people who campaigned and voted the administration into power.
True good governance involves the equitable distribution of well-being and genuine security. In the last 24 months, Enugu has witnessed a decline in empathy and compassion, replaced by a transactional approach to democratic leadership, even though the essence of governance lies in critical thinking to generate prosperity for the populace, not in implementing policies that induce local inflation.
Historically, taxation alone has never fostered sustainable prosperity in any nation or state. Wealth creation stems from manufacturing and agriculture, sectors conspicuously absent from the present Enugu government's policy framework. The lack of an industrialization policy signifies a lack of a concrete plan for employment generation.
The inherent risk of a government predominantly composed of individuals with extensive corporate backgrounds lies in their tendency towards linear analysis and a singular perspective on complex issues. This has seemingly resulted in stagnation in Enugu, compounded by a lack of dynamism at the local government levels, leading to a state of inertia.
The principle of balance necessitates that a blend of politicians, technocrats, and everyday citizens should be afforded the opportunity to participate in governance—a core tenet of Igbo republicanism.
A government that prides itself on good governance should ensure that all integral parts of the state, especially those instrumental in its victory, have access to its leadership and are empowered through appointments and contracts.
Chukwunonye Okereke
Public Affairs Analyst and Political Consultant
