NNAMDI MBAWIKE, writes on the dynamics in Enugu State politics, capturing the political voyage of former governors Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani vis-a-vis the leadership style of the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
The run up to the recent general election in Enugu State has sort of sparked a realignment of the political space in the state. The return of two major political actors and former governors, Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were quite indicative of the political temperature in the state occasioned by the state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Until the emergence of Sullivan Chime as governor of Enugu State in 2007, the Ebeano Political Dynasty founded by former governor of Enugu State Senator Chimaraoke Nnamani, a medical doctor turned politician, was a formidable force and a household name in the coal city state.
The Ebeano dynasty dominated the political atmosphere of Enugu State for several years, winning elections from the grassroots to other higher positions in the state.
Following the birth of the Ebeano political dynasty, there was a great divide between supporters of former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and loyalists of Nnamani. While Nwobodo was renowned as being one of those who facilitated the emergence of Nnamani as governor of the state in 1999, the latter soon became politically independent and began his political family.
His dominance in the scene unsettled former political leaders in the state. Before his emergence, Enugu politics was dominated by former governors ; Chief Jim Nwobodo (Enugu East), late Chief C.C. Onoh (Enugu West) and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo (Enugu North).
But the Ebeano family grew and dominated the Enugu political space to the extent that anybody who became anything was a product of the Ebeano political family. From the Senator Ken Nnamani who later became President of the Senate between 2005 and 2007 , Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Nnamani’s successor former Governor Sullivan Chime, Senator Ayogu Eze including but not limited to the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, all without exception are offsprings of the Ebeano political dynasty.
Unfortunately, what Dr Nnamani envisaged as a new dawn in the political equation of Enugu state proved to be his greatest undoing.
Nnamani was therefore drawn into a political battle for the soul of Enugu politics early in the day with the former political godfathers . For the greater part of his eight years administration , he fought for his political survival. The battle almost took the front burner that his huge achievements almost went unrecognised.
For many politicians, the fear of Ebeano family during the eight-years tenure of Nnamani as governor was the beginning of wisdom for many.
Renowned politicians including Chief Jim Nwobodo, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo and Chief Ken Nnamani, had no option than to abandon their home state, Enugu to re-strategise.
With the solid support of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, Dr Nnamani successfully made Ebeano an ideology.
He was in control of the then State House of Assembly and ensured he completed his eight year tenure despite all attempts to impeach him.
The Ebeano political family however, experienced setback when Sullivan Chime who was installed as governor against all odds by Nnamani commenced serious battle to supplant the influence of his predecessor.
Shortly after receiving the baton of leadership at Government House, Enugu Chime began moves to clip the wings of his godfather, Nnamani with a view to erasing whatever was left of Ebeano.
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Chime, who did not hide his intentions to crush the Ebeano , sent a shock to members of the family at Nike-Lake Hotel, Enugu during his maiden speech to the people of the state in 2007 when he bluntly told the gathering that the era of Ebeano has gone.
He fought the Ebeano political family for the eight years he was in office as governor and made sure he destroyed the pillars that were holding the family. Nnamani was forced to go underground after he served a term in the senate in 2007, was forced out of the PDP and formed a party Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA).
Chime, interestingly also tackled a former governor, Nwodo, who on account of his rift with the governor was removed as the national chairman of PDP in the buildup to 2011 general elections.
At this time however, Nwobodo who had also been relegated to the background during the Ebeano years, enjoyed some reprieve. He has enjoyed some measure of rehabilitation as he was quite visible in the administration in the state, a situation which culminated in him playing a prominent role in 2015 presidential campaign of the PDP.
He however defected to the APC in the face of an allegation that he collected campaign funds, along side other PDP chieftains, from the former national chairman of the party, Ahmed Muazu.
In the buildup to 2019 polls, while Nwobodo returned to the PDP, Nnamani was being rehabilitated by the incumbent governor, who is driving an inclusive government.
Although Nwobodo maintained a relatively low profile upon his return, Nnamani contested for the Senate and secured victory, a situation which has sparked debate among political pundits over whether the Ebeano movement is back to life in Enugu State.
But his victory didn’t come easy. Senator Gilbert Nnaji, representing Enugu East Senatorial District, sought to upturn the Senatorial ticket given Nnamani by the PDP.
Nnaji had last year approached an Abuja Federal High Court, praying that his name be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) as the PDP candidate for the Senatorial District.
He claimed through his counsel, Onyinye Mbanefo, that Nnamani was not present during the PDP screening of candidates and as such was not qualified to stand for the primary elections.
He further claimed that he was the rightful candidate but the case was later transferred to Enugu on the order of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
In his defence, counsel to Nnamani, Barr. C Anyigbo, told the court that the suit was statute barred.
He argued that the course of action should have arisen after the PDP screening which the plaintiff (Nnaji) claimed Senator Nnamani did not attend.
In his verdict, Justice Buba Mohammed said Nnaji appeared in person to give testimony where he claimed to have come second in the PDP primary.
He, however, ruled that having failed to institute the action within the period as provided by the law, the matter was dead.
While agreeing that the issue of jurisdiction was clearly raised by the defendant, the court held that the suit was statute barred and should be dismissed.
The political rivalry between Nwobodo and Nnamani appear to have come full circle. Perhaps humbled by their experiences since 1999, it would seem that the two political gladiators have shelved their grievances.
This manifested in the run up to the election when Nwobodo while addressing the stakeholders, said Nnamani was his political son and enjoined them to vote for him alongside other PDP candidates.
“Chimaroke Nnamani is my son and you should vote for him during Saturday’s poll,” Nwobodo said.
It was also gathered that Nnamani recently paid a visit to Nwobodo.
As it stands, the political climate in the state is reconciliatory and many pundits aver that it would not have been possible without the disposition of the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
