Daily Independent Online.
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Thursday, July 01, 2004.
Nnamani woos political foes
By Chukwudi Achife
Bureau
Chief,
Enugu
Not wanting to be seen as habouring
political bitterness against anyone, Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State
has begun moves to reconcile with his political opponents especially estranged
members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The
Commissioner for Information, Chief Ayogu Eze, who confirmed this to
journalists, said it was informed by the governor’s desire to give
everybody a chance to participate in government’s efforts to ensure rapid
development.
He said members of the state executive
council have been directed to establish contacts with dissenting individuals
and groups so as to establish enduring peace in the state.
According to the commissioner, the governor
has also indicated his readiness to appoint credible people from he opposition
into the government, stressing that the state stood to gain a lot in terms of
development and stability in a peaceful atmosphere.
It was learnt that the governor’s
reconciliatory efforts were also aimed at improving the image of the party as
it prepares for 2007.
Some of those the governor is trying to
reach are Chief Charles Egumgbe, the founding Chairman of the party in the
state, Mr. Okey Ogbodo and Dr Ifeanyi Nwobodo.
They served as commissioners during
Nnamani’s first term but had resigned in protest against his style of
leadership.
Speaking on the development, Egumgbe
confirmed that some government officials had contacted him, adding that he
welcomed any move to at reconciliation so long as the effort was “genuine
and well-intended”.
He commended the governor’s courage
in embarking on the effort, stressing that it was a mark of statesmanship for a
leader to realise his mistakes and seek to make amends.
The former PDP chairman called on other dissenters to see
the move as another opportunity to assist in the development of the state but
enjoined them however to remain committed to their principles and the task of
safeguarding the welfare of the people.
