Something funny, but very significant, played out on Saturday during a procession with the teachers to endorse Governor Peter Mbah at Okpara Square.
A bus carrying a number of teachers and people from Awgu first arrived at Monkey roundabout. Minutes later Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, the chairman of Aninri local government area, came. One bus carrying Aninri teachers arrived; then another. And another, until the 15 buses all parked.
More than 300 Aninri constituents, including young men and women, were present. The band players filled the air with melody. It was a moment of joy. And the people’s spirits were high.
When it was the time for procession, some colourful lines of people began the match to Okpara Square, stealing the moment as passers-by stood to watch.
Prince Nwanjoku had left to WAEC Junction, waiting for his jubilant crowd.
The chairmen of Awgu and Enugu South local government areas, Hon. Uchenna Okolo and Hon. Caleb Ani respectively waited also at WAEC Junction. Unfortunately, the numbers of the two council areas combined still couldn’t compare to the crowd from Aninri. They had no band. And no joy.
The three leaders obviously agreed to match to the venue in one accord. When they led the way to Okpara Square, Hon. Uchenna Okolo’s boys started pushing out the banner bearing Aninri marks while that of Awgu would be flying. He was resisted – first by Mr Melody Richmond, Aninri guy. Okolo’s boys flew in to attack Melody, but Aninri immediately overwhelmed them.
In the short distance to the venue, fights continued intermittently as the youths of Awgu tried in vain to overshadow Aninri.
The procession from WAEC Junction to Okpara Square was not procession. It was commotion.
Personally, I think it’s shameful for the chairman of Awgu council area to have watched their supporters display such a disgraceful character in the public in the name of politics. If APC is a family, then why the petty, clannish division? Aninri and Awgu are brothers. Or are Enugu people no longer one and the same?
Days after the shameful acts, the public still wait in vain for the chairman to make a statement of unity. And it’s sad.