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THE CONCEPT OF POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE: A REALITY IN ENUGU STATE UNDER GOV.IFEANYI UGWUANYI
Ifeanyi Ogenyi
Democracy has long been defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
True democracy is premised on the immutable principle that power belongs to the people. It is also having the understanding that power is held on trust by the public office holders for the ultimate benefit of the people who are the owners and beneficiaries of such power.
In a truly democratic setting, the consent and/or approval of the people must always be sought before any major decision affecting the people is taken.
Many leaders especially in the developing countries have neglected, refused, and/or failed in the practical application of this principle.
Most leaders, once they assume office neglect or treat those that gave them power with utter disdain and they began to dish out executive orders; and further acts with impunity.
In Africa and all most in all the developing countries, there is a profound sense of disconnect from the halls of power. The distance between the people and the government is as wide and deep as the ocean separating Boston from London.
Understanding this sense of disconnect, Gov.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the assumption of office in 2015 decided to bridge this gap between the governed and the governor with his Midas touch.
His innovative approaches to governance premised on mutual respect, consultation, collaboration, and bipartisanship seamlessly returned power to the people of Enugu State.
His administrative and managerial characters have established principles guaranteeing the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Gov.Ugwuanyi’s message and ideology from the onset were sound and clear.
And his message and ideology are: “This is our government; Enugu belongs to all of us; and let everyone enjoy democracy dividend-‘ The Nrashi Concept”.
He has demonstrated in many ways that power has been returned to the people of Enugu State.
In the annals of history in Enugu State, no Governor before Ugwuanyi made a clear-cut policy of consulting the people before they took critical decision that would affect the people but Gov.Ugwuanyi makes consultation of the people as his cardinal administrative policy and rarely takes any critical decision without having recourse to the people.
He evolved and sustained the culture of consulting the people on issues affecting them before a final decision is taken.
Today in Enugu State, virtually everyone in the State is a Stakeholder and people have unrestricted access to the government house which has never been the case.
Constitutionally appointment of the members of the Executive Council is a prerogative right of the governor in the State as enshrined in Sec.192 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) but Gov.Ugwuanyi never exercised this power without having recourse to the people. Before he formed his cabinet upon his re-election in 2019, he reached out to the Stakeholders in the 17 LGAs and requested them to nominate for him a candidate to be appointed into his cabinet. This singular gesture endeared the Governor more to Ndi Enugu.
The same thing happened during the last LGA election in Enugu, every LGA was asked to agree on a consensus candidate to be filed by the ruling party in the State and it worked as a magic.
One thing in a democracy, is that it is a government by the majority. Of course, there is always dissenting opinions and voices on any issue but Ugwuanyi’s concern at every point in time is to ensure that the views of the majority prevail and this is the hallmark of a true democracy.
The truth is that people tend to withdraw when they feel powerless and also tend to live outside the political process when they stop believing that power belongs to them.
Gov.Ugwuanyi has practically changed the narrative and restored people’s confidence in the government.
Gov. Ugwuanyi has put in place collaborative governance which is often as a solution to the principal-agent dilemma and local knowledge problem.
By including a full range of stakeholders, collaborative arrangement brings stability, peace, and progress in the polity.
And today Enugu people are witnessing and enjoying enduring peace.
Gov. Ugwuanyi’s leadership styles have brought to bear an alternative to adversarial and interest group-driven approaches to governance which follows a more consensus-oriented mode of making decisions.
Though as earlier posited, consensus most time is difficult to achieve in practice, one good thing about Ugwuanyi’s approach is that the people are involved in taking decisions on issues affecting them.
Freedom of expression which is also another essential ingredient of democracy is not only guaranteed in Enugu State under Gov.Ugwuanyi but it is also inimically abused by some Enugu people especially the uninformed social media urchins.
Indeed, Gov. Ugwuanyi has given democracy its true meaning in Enugu State.
Our nation will be peaceful and a better place to live if all leaders in the country realize like Ugwuanyi that they hold power on trust for the people.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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