Why we don’t change parties in Enugu — Ogbodo
Deacon Okey Ogbodo, is presently the secretary of the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and was at various times Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani between 1999 and 2007. In his earlier years, he was a banker, trade unionist, businessman, and now “Minister of the Gospel”. Deacon Ogbodo spoke to reporters in the Enugu State capital on a wide range of issues, including his rumoured interest in the chairmanship position of PDP in the state. Excerpts:
Enugu has remained a strong PDP State, up to the last general election, despite steady incursions by the APC and the APGA into the South East, … what’s the secret?
It boils down, in part, to leadership and further to the Igbo-man’s famed reputation as a good follower of a credible leadership – a leadership one can identify as one’s own. Over the years, PDP leadership in Enugu State has been strong and unwavering, right from the top to bottom; from the major stake-holders, to the leader who is usually the Governor, and down to the wards where you have highly mobilized officers committed to working for the party.
Okey-Ogbodo
And then, do not forget the question of service delivery; what we usually refer to as “dividends of democracy”. If successive State administrations have been acquitting themselves in areas provision of service and conducive platform for the people and goodwill to thrive, the people hardly ask for more. Provision of democratic dividends engenders further mass followership. It breeds goodwill and can only strengthen a political party. That has been the lot of PDP in Enugu State. Our leaders are on record as having done their bit, given the various circumstances under which they operated. Jumping ship, that is, changing political party is not done for the sake of it; you have to ensure that where you are going is better than where you were coming from.
What is your view on the immediate past administration in the State led by Sullivan Chime?
I would have preferred you narrow your question down to a specific area, but be that as it may, let me attempt to give you what I’ll regard as an overview, in my own estimation: He came across throughout his tenures as a focused leader. He had just a four-point agenda, which was manageable, not the usually omnibus, unrealistic targets which new governments usually advertise on assumption of office. And he appeared to have kept faith with his programme, followed them diligently and had quite an eventful era. The road network in the state got much better under him, especially the intra-township road. He delivered a brand new state secretariat, a masterpiece really. Security during his administration also got good grades, etc. I am a good party man, and I can only have kind words for a PDP administration.
What are you expecting under the new Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi government?
I don’t have any doubts as to his ability or commitment to deliver even beyond people’s expectation. We were schoolmates at St. Theresa’s College, Nsukka, so Gburugburu as he’s fondly called, is well primed to excel. His choice by our party, the PDP was a master stroke and there was hardly any whimper from any quarters. Tpolitperson who had issues with his emergence merely cited perceived technical reasons; he never doubted the governor’s superior following within the party or even beyond. We are all so full of hope and expectations that Gburugburu will acquit himself and our party gallantly at the end of the day.
What is your stake as a loyal party man in the new dispensation?
I am a loyal party man like I have told you before; everybody who ran election under the PDP banner had my support. There are always other platforms on which we can serve the party and our people. The challenge I consider myself fully conditioned for now is a chance to lead the PDP in the state as chairman, and to help position and strengthen our great party, in the face of emerging new political scenarios.
To sustain the present overwhelming support which the PDP now enjoys in the State and also to guarantee future electoral victory, there is a challenge for the party to develop a better capacity in running our State with its diversity and size. It stands to reason that the would-be PDP State Chairman, should come equipped with sound administrative and leadership skills.
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