Prince Nwanjoku, the man calling the shots in Aninri today
There are probably few places the political shakeups of 2023 hit more than Aninri. Before that time, everything – from the days of swearing-in to dates of another elections – is predictable.
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Former Senator Ike Ekweremadu was the god of Aninri politics and, indeed, of Enugu West politics. He said to this one, “go here”, and to another “step down there”. His words were gold. When he blew you bend or you break. Sen Ekweremadu was the stability in Aninri, aside on few instances of deliberate concessions where he allowed his immediate younger brother, late Mathias Ekweremadu, to have his way.
By May 29, 2023 Ekweremadus’ influence was already an impotent past. Although it created opportunities for the upcoming politicians, their sudden absence has posed immediate challenges. That simply means the dead of mediocrity; leaderless Aninri; and chances for talents.
Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri chairman, has stepped into chaotic terrains and, for the first time, given stability that is not born out of naked force or made out of an entrenched hegemony.
His immediate predecessor, infamous for presiding over the darkest days in Aninri politics, had made matter worse. In the midst of the confusion that followed Ekweremadus’ exits, Hon Bennett Ajah created multiple cracks and deepened existing divisions.
In barely two years, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has calmed the disarray. He has built, from scratch, structures of powers that has already impressed Governor Peter Mbah. Today, in Aninri, Nwanjoku stands not just as a unifier, but also as a pillar of influence.
In the recently concluded primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , he played a lead role in making of candidates in Enugu West.
His giant strides in infrastructural development is visible. And his records on education, security and human capital development have endeared him to the governor.
“With the ongoing works of the 50-bed hospital in Oduma and big administrative buildings in Aninri headquarters, there is no right-thinking governor who would not like to return a chairman like Nwanjoku”, a Government House source told InfoWars.
However, as the next council elections draw near, Prince Nwanjoku’s influence influence would once again be put to test in real-time. Of course, there are other voices seeking to be as loud as Ekweremadus’ of the past. But you can’t mistake who is calling the shots in Aninri politics today.