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Dr. GOC Ajah and the Quest for Ugwuanyi’s Continuity of Good Governance in Enugu State [Viewpoint]

By Engr. Chukwu Innocent

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As the governorship race in Enugu State continues to shove up with contending interests across different political parties in the State, many are beginning to consciously root for the best among the aspirants slugging it out to be the next governor of Enugu State. There have been interests flying around. Consultations of key stakeholders are ongoing. Meetings after meetings are being held. That’s the beauty of democracy. Democracy is simply defined as the people’s wishes in action. People are allowed to choose who becomes their representatives. That’s why the ongoing lobbying, consultations, dialogues and discussions have become part of the democratic process activated by the people.

This democratic quest for Governor Ugwuanyi’s successor doesn’t just arise out of fun but out of genuine concern for the soul of the State. It is a well known fact that Governor Ugwuanyi has laid down laudable legacies in the State. His projects are speaking in all the 17 Local government areas. His imprints are already indelible. He has given the people of Enugu State the dividends of good governance he was elected 7 years ago to execute. Soon his government will be coming to an end after serving out his 8 years of two tenure in 2023. The unanswered question on the lips of the people is now on who will take over the mantle of leadership from the governor and continue from where the Lion stops.

Many have come up to present themselves as prepared for the job. However, mere presentation of oneself isn’t the same thing as preparation for the top job. The best must be sourced this time around. Someone with leadership ingenuity must be sought after to do the job. It takes someone with a clear understanding and appreciation of leadership to continue seamlessly from where Governor Ugwuanyi is going to stop. Continuity means that someone already in the system should be entrusted with the mantle of leadership. Leadership is not a phenomenon that should be learnt on the sit, or a game of trial and error. It’s all about proven skills. It’s all about choosing someone who had been tested and trusted. Someone who has that reliable drive to push the policies and principles of the government to the next level.

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On this strength, Dr. GOC Ajah, a former super Permanent Secretary, former Secretary to the Government of Enugu State and former Executive Chairman, Enugu State Science, Technical, Vocational and School Management Board (STVSMB) comes to mind as the most equipped, most prepared, most qualified, most technocratically cultured and most close-circuit plug aspirant who can continue the advancement of Governor Ugwuanyi’s policies in 2023. Dr. GOC Ajah has been tested, trusted and efficiently proven to be a reliable and most loyal person anyone can ever work with. This is why the good people of Enugu State should root for him. This is why Enugu State stakeholders should to turn the searchlight towards his direction. This is why the People’s Democratic Party’s delegates should give him the maximum support to clinch the party’s ticket and assume the Lion Building come 2023.

The antecedent of Dr. Ajah as an unblemished public servant who had always turn things around for good wherever he found himself in the service should be seen as a priceless asset and an opportunity for the State to have another person like Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Ajah, just like Governor Ugwuanyi, is not only a man of peace, but a man who loves peace. He is a man who believes in the Gburugburu’s ecumenical philosophy and simplicity. Just like Governor Ugwuanyi has been equated with humility even in his exalted position, Ajah has remain a symbol of humility. In the real sense here, GOC Ajah has always taken Governor Ugwuanyi as a role model and a mentor who is worth following even in the most turbulent season. Governor Ugwuanyi never derails and that’s why he needs someone that will continue with his legacies.

With Dr. Ajah, the people of Enugu State should be rest assured of a new dawn with a seamless continuity of Gburus good governance. In recent times, Ajah gave his beautiful pedigree as a yardstick for anybody to rate him. He was hopefully positive of his capabilities and capacities to continue with Governor Ugwuanyi’s good governance when he stated that:

“Experiences, capacity, honesty, integrity and dedication are all needed in public service and leadership, and having served 3 consecutive civilian administrations of former Governors Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi without any iota of blemish and dent; these experiences gathered in public service since 1999 to date would be brought to bear in contest.

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“It is a clear fact that the people of Enugu state and indeed the delegates of our great party are aware of my capacity, my honesty, my integrity, my character, my humility and, importantly, my pedigree which are assets in any public contest as no other contestant could say to have better qualifications and experiences than myself. As a technocrat, I’m academically qualified having read and obtained PhD in my discipline. This should be a conviction to the delegates that the capacity is unequaled.” The above is a clear conviction that in GOC Ajah, it’s going to be a continuity of Ugwuanyi’s good governance and stellar leadership.

Engr. Chukwu Innocent writes from Cyprus, Europe