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By Zika Bobby
Igwe Patrick Eze, popularly known as Igwe Waziri, is a renowned businessman and the traditional ruler of Egali Amalla, in Udenu Local Council of Enugu State, who likes to be on the side of truth. The monarch, who is also a Patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in this interview, speaks on the situation in Enugu State and 2027 general election.
He also assessed Governor Peter Mbah’s performance and the hope for Igbo presidency in 2027.
Excerpts:
How would you rate Governor Peter Mbah’s performance in Enugu State so far?
The good people of Enugu State have been experiencing governance in different dimensions since the return of democracy in 1999. We had Chimaroke Nnamani who came on board and empowered the people in so many ways especially at the grassroots. Nnamani created development centres and autonomous communities that brought the people close to government. We had Sullivan Chime who did wonderfully well in road construction, expanding the road networks of the state and also constructed the gigantic government secretariat among other things. We had Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who did a marvellous work in reconstruction of Opi – Nsukka road, Nike flyover bridge and so on. All of them did remarkably well. However, I must say that the current administration under Governor Mbah has brought spectacular performance to bear in Enugu State. Without mincing words, I like to assess Mbah at the level of somebody like former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo. Nwobodo as governor performed creditably well in all sectors of governance and in all parts of old Anambra State.
That’s how I am assessing the present governor’s performance. His two years and four months in office as governor has taken Enugu to the level we never expected with projects and quality services all over the state and in sectors of governance like security, education, health sector, road construction, transformation, environmental sanitation and so many things that I cannot list off hand. He is a silent operator and not the noise-making type. The bus terminals in various locations at Enugu and Nsukka have modernised the outlook of the transport system.
Opportunities for business are expanding. More people are laying hands on jobs and being meaningful engaged as traders, drivers, mechanic, food vendors and so on and so forth. The business atmosphere is relatively conducive. Furthermore, the education sector is being skyrocketed to the utmost level with smart schools in all wards in the state.
In the same vein, the governor is embarking on a mega hospital project as well as massive agricultural projects in all the wards. Every ward is mandated to provide land for food production. Such a thing has never happened before. Very soon hunger will be eradicated in Enugu State with the current programme in agriculture, targeting development of farmlands in all the wards. Governor Mbah is a wonderful leader and that is what we need at this point in time. Enugu will overtake other states in all facets of development before his first tenure ends. And for me, I wouldn’t mind to say that there is no vacancy in Lion building as far as Mbah is concerned ahead of 2027. I wouldn’t mind to say that his second tenure is well worth it and not negotiable.
But people are accusing the governor of multiple taxation and increasing tax rates at a time of economic hardship…
But is the tax being properly utilised? That’s the question. And the answer is yes. Projects are going on in every sector like security, education, health, agriculture, transport, environment and so on. There is no point for argument over tax because the works that are being done speak volume for tax payers’ money. Since the time of the colonial masters we started paying tax in Nigeria. And in most cases the money realised from taxes we pay end up in personal pockets of government officials. But that is not the case in Enugu State now. We are seeing the dividends of the taxes we pay.
You talked about ease of doing business in Enugu under the present administration. As a businessman based in Enugu, how has business improved in Enugu?
Business has improved for all categories of businesses including petty traders, market women and farmers in rural areas because there is good roads, affordable and accessible transportation with free flowing traffic and security. The point is that Mbah has brought effective response to bear on the challenges facing Enugu State. Enugu is okay for investors. Lawyers all over Nigeria were here and they saw things by themselves. As a businessman I can encourage investors to come and invest in Enugu because the atmosphere is conducive.
You talked about 2027 general election and you seem to have automatically endorsed Governor Mbah for second term. What about Igbo President, which, according to some people, is long overdue?
I have always maintained that power belongs to God and God gives power to whosoever He chooses. If God decides to choose Peter Obi to become the President of Nigeria in 2027, I am sure that nobody can stop him. What I am saying is that the fate of Obi’s presidential ambition lies in the hands of God.
