The Imperatives of Re-electing Greg Anyaegbudike as Oji-River Council Chairman -By Frank Anifowoshe

“Productivity is never an accident, but it’s always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused efforts” — Paul J. Meyer

Oftentimes, people talk about democracy as a government of the people but at the same time, they fail to promote democratic institutions which are the bedrock for any democracy to thrive — Whether it’s in the United States of America or India; countries with the largest democracy in the world, the story is same.

But big thanks to the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah and the council Chairman for Oji-River Local Government, Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike for their unyielding efforts at strengthening democratic institutions in their localities.

Hence, this article is to celebrate one man who understands the dynamics of power and how to use it in delivering democratic dividends to the people.

A man who believes that power belongs to the people and must be used properly in advancing the cause of the people.

That man is the Chairman of Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr. Greg Chijioke Anyaegbudike; a man truly committed to changing the landscape and the economic fortunes of the council.

Nevertheless, it was Oliver Wendell Holmes that once said that ‘A mind that is stretched by a new experience never goes back to its old dimension.’

In lieu of the above quote, Mr. Anyaegbudike upon assumption of office left no one in doubt that he meant business and that there would be no more business as usual at the council.

He took some practical steps to demonstrate and show that indeed, there is a new government in town.

It was under this veneer, that what is now known as disruptive governance was introduced.

Disruptive Governance is a new paradigm creatively employed by Mr. Anyaegbudike to align the vision of the council with the ‘Tomorrow is Here’ agenda of the government of Governor Peter Mbah at the state level.

Unlike in the past, Oji-River Local Government for the first recently held what is now known as “Oji-River Economic Summit” where economic experts and job creators were assembled from all works of life to develop workable blueprints for immediate implementation in order to create vibrant economic activities within the council.

In line with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of integrated developments across the 260 electoral wards of the state, Mr. Anyaegbudike keyed into the Governor’s vision by delivering democratic dividends to all the 20 electoral wards within the council.

For instance, all the roads leading to the smart schools established by Governor Mbah across the council now have easy access roads because Mr. Anyaegbudike chose to open up these areas and linked them up with the rest of the society through various road construction contracts he awarded in April this year.

There is no ward in Oji-River without the imprint of Mr. Anyaegbudike; whether by way of free scholarship to students in both secondary and higher institutions, visible economic empowerments or human capital development, the story abounds everywhere.

The unprecedented development in the council have inspired many youth groups and community associations to start calling for the Chairman’s re-election in next year’s council election in the state.

Many sees his loyalty to Governor Peter Mbah and his vision for the state as a big plus.

While others are of the view that since Mr. Anyaegbudike has firm control of the political structure at the council, Governor Peter Mbah should support him to be re-elected so that he will also help to deliver the Governor during his own re-election bid next year.

On my own as an APC Chieftain who came to the state during the governor’s defection, I was particularly impressed at the visible presence Mr. Anyaegbudike has given to our great party at the council within the shortest time.

Therefore, if I’m to advise the governor on who to support for the forthcoming council election in the state, I will have no doubt in recommending Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike; a man Peter Mbah can trust that he will deliver Oji-River to him and President Bola Tinubu in next year’s general election.

Mr. Frank Anifowoshe is a Member of the APC Alliance Network for Democracy.