Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: An incorruptible helmsman whose robe was without blot.

By Comr Ezeagu Thomas

There is a common trend that is unique to Nigerian politicians, especially those who have held elective positions. They win elections and stay in the party until their tenures expire, after which they switch party loyalty by willfully defecting into the ruling party in the country in order to evade being investigated and possibly prosecuted for graft. This inclination by our political class is a road that could not be taken by Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi because he has a clean slate.

Evidently, the tenures of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Sen. Utazi ran simultaneously and ended at the same time. One, especially his traducers, would think that the former governor would immediately seek solace in the camp of the All Progressives Congress – a rumor which was widely talked about – but in order to prove these ungodly political manipulators wrong, he remained in his party as a statesman. A move that shows that he is not afraid of anything. His slate as a governor was clean, incorruptible, and without blot. Now, where is Sen. Utazi, whom he left office with? He had long changed loyalty to the ruling party, a move which we all know was the major motivating factor.

Moreover, the recent list which was released by the EFCC of governors who had massively stolen from their states, has the all-powerful name of the White Lion himself missing. This was to the chagrin and dismay of his aimless and shameless enemies.

As a governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was prudent in spending state resources. He was the only governor that had ever governed Enugu State during a time largely affected by recession and the outbreak of COVID-19. At that time, the allocation coming to the state was almost half of what his predecessors received, and as a disciplined leader, he was content with what he had and prudently put to use the available resources as though they were enough.

Consequently, the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) in 2022 could not hold back their satisfaction and commendation of Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for enthrining prudence, probity, and accountability in the state, especially in managing the scarce state resources even in the face of recession and the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, notwithstanding the poor availability of resources, embarked on many infrastructural projects such as the construction of over 850 kilometers of roads, built, renovated, and equipped medical facilities, employed over 1700 Forest Guards, acquired 260 security vehicles, built the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) at Igbo-eno, as well as attracting a federal polytechnic to Nsukka zone – Federal Polytechnic Iwolo. Out of the meager funds at his disposal, he built the first flyover in the state. There are so many unprecedented milestones he covered, which cannot all be stated here at once.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi never demanded kickbacks after awarding contracts. He was out for the effective delivery of projects, which was why he engaged the services of the best contractors, disregarding any form of affiliation or benefits. Unlike a certain sitting senator who disengaged one of his hardworking and loyal campaign managers because of the narrow way in between her thighs.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was a governor of his own majestic, clean, and unwrinkled class. A man like this is whom we need.