By Sunday Ogbodo
According to Jimi Hendrix, an American songwriter and one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, “when the power of love overcomes the love for power, the world will definitely know peace”. Peace is defined a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes with the absence of war or fighting. It is a situation of coexistence in perfect harmony and freedom. Accordingly, the actions and conducts of Dr. Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mba since his emergence as the governorship flag bearer of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, epitomise peace in its entirety. He has by his actions shown that peace is the greatest weapon of achieving political stability in a multi dimensional system.
I was particularly impressed by his decision to immediately reach out to his colleagues in PDP who sought the party's gubernatorial ticket with him. It shows how peaceful and good hearted he is as a man. It certainly means he is prepared to carry everybody along in his administration to ensure enduring peace, tranquility and progress of the system. This is indeed a rare quality seen only in people of inestimable value in the society who cherish the importance of team spirit as a means of achieving results. Barr Peter Mba has shown humility and magnanimity in victory typical of a team player determined to ensure an egalitarian society where everybody feels a sense of belonging.
There is no doubt that Enugu State under his watch will witness unprecedented calmness, peace, and stability reminiscent of a progressive society. His ability to reconcile and bring all the party men under one umbrella after hotly contested party primaries is legendary and commendable. Only very few people can muster such courage and proportionate temperament to achieve peace and stability in a system polarised with divergent interests. As an intelligent man, Mba was able to exhibit a high level of calmness and intellect in handling the complex issues of human relations as it affects party politics. This is quite awesome and commendable as well as an indication that Enugu State is safe in his hands, and will flourish in peace and progress if he becomes the governor.
It is a common knowledge that intra party crisis during and after party primaries has become a reoccurring decimal in Nigeria's political space which in turn had led to the destruction of many political opportunities in the past. Parties and political alliances had been destroyed as a result of such mismanagement of victories and losses in primary elections. Mba's show of skill which averted such calamity in Enugu State PDP is unprecedented. Even the way he is peacefully and constructively going about his campaigns, speaks volume, and is clearly an indication of political maturity which is exactly what we need to foster unity in Enugu State at this critical moment of economic uncertainty. Mba, irrespective of unwarranted provocations from detractors and traducers, has remained undaunted and focused in his approach to campaigns and public engagements as regards selling his visions and plans for Enugu State.
I had personally and carefully refrained from making a public choice in the current political development as it affects governorship contest in Enugu State specifically to allow for a detailed observation of the major contenders. I had resisted the temptation of any hasty conclusion or tent- pitching to avoid regrettable mistakes, and after proper analysis of the pedigrees, conducts and temperaments of all the candidates seeking to occupy the lion building in 2023, Peter Ndubisi Mba towers above others. Apart from his background of resilient private sector achievements, he is the only candidate that has convincingly articulated a proactive manifesto with a clear road map backed with exposure and international connection for a greater Enugu State. No other governorship candidate has made such a bold statement of hope and assurance of a clear direction to govern Enugu State if given the opportunity. All we see are needless and vague campaigns of calumny against individuals and personalities by overzealous political jobbers.
Finally and in view of the above prevailing realities, I strongly believe that Ndi Enugu should vote wisely and avoid electing sadists as leaders in the next dispensation. It is a well known fact that temperament is an important ingredient of leadership and it must be considered when choosing those who will pilot the affairs of our dear state in the next elections. Peter Ndubisi Mba no doubt is the only one of the lots that possess the skills and maturity required to handle a state as complex as Enugu State. A vote for him is a vote for peace and progress of Enugu State.
Ndi Enugu a word is enough for the wise.
TOMORROW IS INDEED HERE.
