The Governor that Enugu deserves

At this moment in its history, who is the governor that Enugu State needs, and deserves, to lift it out of it’s socioeconomic challenges?

The battle to occupy Lion Building will end 11 March – five days away – when Enugu voters file out to elect a new governor. Luckily, the political parties positioned a stellar cast of candidates for the job. The decision now rests with citizens empowered with PVCs to lift one of them to the governing stool.

The frontrunners are Ndubuisi Mbah (PDP), Chijioke Edeoga (LP), Uche Nnaji (APC) and Frank Nweke Jr. (APGA). In deciding who to vote for, Enugu Metro urges citizens to make a dispassionate assessment of each frontrunner. The state benefits when voters choose a candidate fit for purpose.

This choice must be anchored on how voters perceive candidate’s understanding of the challenges facing the state and who, in the evaluation of voters, is best positioned to manage the challenges. Who is best overall in terms of experience, competence, proven leadership skills, commitment to development of their community, and to holistic human capital development, to wear the cap? Enugu voters must evaluate thoroughly because the stakes are too high.

Currently, the State uncomfortably seats in the twilight zone of multidimensional poverty. Enugu and Ebonyi are only the two southern states occupying the top dozen position in the unenviable national poverty ladder. Enugu occupies the 11th position on this ladder, with more than half (56%) of its citizens assessed as multidimensionally poor. A third of Enugu workforce (31.6%) is without jobs. This depressing picture permeates every measure of underdevelopment – in education, unemployment, child mortality and nutrition, and overall living standards. Enugu children are not immune from the disaster that the state has become. For instance, the State currently battles chronic children malnutrition and stunted growth. The current administration acknowledges that one in five children under five years has stunted growth arising from lack of breastfeeding and balanced diet. The situation should not get worse than this.

The governor that Enugu deserves ought to be groomed in the private sector as both an entrepreneur and a proven manager. Incidentally, One thing to be said about the frontrunners is that they were all recruited into politics by the People’s Democratic Party which has succeeded in running the State aground. Consequently, what is important is to recognize that it is a transitional government that will be elected on 11 March. Since the frontrunners began their political careers as PDP members, voters are therefore encouraged to assess all candidates in terms of how they have gone beyond the party and its government to acquire additional management experience and skills needed to manage the Enugu sinking ship at this time. Only two of the candidates – the PDP and APGA candidates – qualify in this respect.

Enugu State needs a tested private sector manager with a good understanding of the public service bureaucracy. The preferred candidate should be a person that served at the top level of government. The candidate equally understands investments, and has a track record of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Only one of the two candidates best meets this criteria and he is Peter Mbah, the PDP candidate. Voting for any other candidate is an emotional investment that may force the state to continue on a downward spiral.

There are two major arguments against Mbah’s candidature and both appear weak and unsustainable.

One is the fear that he will become a lackey of a past corrupt and fearsome leader. This claim is not sustainable, given the history of succeeding Enugu governors since 1999. A governor is a lackey by choice and not because he does not have powers to stand alone and excel.

The other is that Mbah is somehow tainted by his association with a former corrupt governor. This argument is also non sequitur. The same could have been said of the past outstanding performer, Sullivan Chime, who issued from the same PDP cloth. And shouldn’t it also apply to the current Labour Party candidate. He not only served the current governor until recently but is also a close relation of his! Is everyone who serves a State adjudged inept or corrupt because his or her principal was judged corrupt or inept?

In Saturday’s election, Enugu deserves someone with requisite and demonstrable private sector management experience and capacity. The learning curve for a career public servant or a highflying technocrat will be high. And Enugu doesn’t have the luxury of time. The State needs someone who will hit the ground running. The state deserves someone who can generate and attract investments to absorb a third of its population currently unemployed. Above all, Enugu needs one with demonstrable empathy and experience with lifting communities and citizens out of poverty. You cannot do it for the state if you have not hitherto demonstrated empathy at individual or community levels.

Peter Mbah ticks all the right boxes. Enugu Metro therefore endorses him as the man fit for purpose and recommends his election on Saturday, 11 March 2023.

Editorial: The Governor that Enugu deserves.

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