Victor EzejaFormer minister of power in Nigeria, Prof. Bart Nnaji, has officially declared his interest to contest governorship position in Enugu State in the 2023 elections.
Prof. Nnaji who is also the CEO of Geometric Power Ltd, officially made his declaration of joining the gubernatorial race on Sunday at his home town of Umuode in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.
Members of a group known as the New Enugu Coalition for Good Governance, presented to the ex-minister the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship nomination and expression of interest form, urging him to take up the challenge and contest to deliver quality leadership in the state, given his track record of competence in both private and public ventures.
Receiving the nomination form from the coalition group led by Mr. Ekene Uzodinma, a former governorship candidate in the State, Nnaji said he has totally accepted the call to serve the good people of the State.
Speaking further on the nomination process, Nnaji explained that though he has thrown his hat into the ring by accepting the challenge to contest, the state governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi would, however, ultimately decide the successor.
“It is difficult for someone to be presented with this challenge to come and serve the people and the person says no, particularly when the people had gone to get the instrument for the race. I hereby accept,” Nnaji stated.
He said there is a zoning arrangement in the state and it was the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District which his local government area (Nkanu East) belongs to, adding that his team has made adequate consultations with stakeholders in the state.
“The leaders of Enugu State agreed on zoning and by that, it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial zone. We in Nkanu East said let us organize ourselves; based on that, we have visited prominent people in Enugu and they all agreed that if the Governor endorses someone from Nkanu East, they will give their support. I had no interest when we were doing all of that.”
Uzodinma emphatically stated that the coalition group’s choice of candidate was not based on zoning but competence which they think can be found in Nnaji.
“This is not about zoning, if you are from Enugu North, we will still support you, if you are from Enugu West, we will still support you.
“So, you are not just coming out because you are from Enugu East, but you are the most qualified, Uzodinma told Nnaji.
“Let all the candidates come out, let’s look at their pedigree, let’s look at who they really are,” he added.
The former minister promised to add value to governance when elected, by taking up from where his predecessor will stop. The energy expert buttressed his point by highlighting how he set up the power company, Geometric, and used it to create an exemplary model of how to deliver efficient power supply in some parts of the country.
“If I come and don’t add any value, you wont be happy. But I want to tell you that all I do is to add value wherever I find myself.
“I want to use Integrated Power Project as an example, we did it in Abuja and people said why not come and do it in Aba. Geometric Power, we went to Aba; in 2004, we started the journey and people were laughing at us, who has ever built such, let alone distribution, that’s what they were saying.
“But we told Government to allow us, build and distribute. After so many years, there were issues but thank God Government eventually resolved it and we are here now.”
He also harped on the need to take initiatives to boost economic profile of the state as a way of rendering good governance to the people.
“We don’t have a lot of private sector jobs, no industry, we need to attract investors to create jobs; with employment, crime will reduce
“Let us ensure that we are able to advance. The Governor has enabled us to live in peace, without which there can be no development,” Nnaji stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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