There’s no doubt the Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku’s first batch of appointment carries serious political implications. Obviously, he is set for a surprising reshuffle. But it’s precisely that reshuffle which is startling the political community, while putting both his ambitious allies and the distant friends on high alert.
- Prince Nwanjoku releases first batch of appointees of his second term (FULL LIST)
- Chief Leonard Nwonye congratulates Prince Nwanjoku for victory in the polls (Full Text)
Recall that it was Hon. Nicholas Ekpete who had been tapped for Secretary of the Local Government (SLG) during Nwanjoku’s first administration. Higher powers reportedly intervened, removed Ekpete and then replaced him with Hon. Victor Okoro. Obviously, Okoro’s reappointment is non-negotiable so he has made the list yet again.
The need to bring Nickolas Ekpete to higher office has remained all these while, which explains why he was today sworn in as the Political Adviser. Under Local Government power arrangements in Enugu State, that office wields enormous influence.
Ekpete’s ability to shoulder the responsibilities of that office is not in doubt; he is a great guy with a lot of experiences in Aninri politics. However, heads must have turned when he was announced. Ekpete is from Oduma ward 4, the same micro-zone as the chairman. Hon. Nnaemeka Onu, a great and energetic guy too, was announced the Principal Secretary of the council. Like Ekpete, Hon. Onu is also from the chairman’s political ward.
Since no laws or any distinct judicial precedents define portfolios within the executive cabinet in Nigeria’s municipal politics, a ‘Principal Secretary’ could be used or misused to check the Secretary of the Local Government should a need for that arises in office politicking. If things would run smoothly for these two years they’d be in the office – which is very unlikely – then that would be fine. But Hon. Nnaemeka Onu would remain a handy tool to neutralise almost the lethal powers of the SLG.
Lastly, one of the four appointees is Hon. Ezekwesili Nwanjoku, who is the chairman’s biological brother.
Is Nwanjoku’s first list of appointments a strategy or a flop?
For a man who’s widely believed to be an ‘evil genius’, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku would most unlikely release appointments unless there is a well-thought out plan.
It could be based on the strategy to keep off possible threats – threats to personal safety and to political ambitions of tomorrow. For one thing, it makes sense to just surround yourself with the people you can trust. Or maybe, the prince wants to keep his own people very satisfied first before looking outside; and that’s not a bad idea, either.
However, either strategy has its disadvantages. Some powerful appointees in Nwanjoku’s first term who worked hard in their various offices and who fought hard for his re-election are definitely stunned. Spineless people, most of them are now murmuring in the background. There are others – smart ones – who might now begin to consider the ‘deceits’ of the opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Unfortunately, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has limited time – as well as limited choices. With campaigns for the general elections starting very soon, he has no such luxury of time of his first term when he continued to increase numbers of his aides months into his administration.
He could maintain the status quo by absorbing all hundreds of aides who worked with him before. After all, he had used that number to stay immune to the biting, destructive criticisms of his enemies.
Or he could retain the workforce and appoint even more to further drain the power of opposition parties during 2027 campaigns. Again, this is a difficult choice. Paying them could drain the treasury of the council which would further reduce his ability to coordinate the kind of campaigns that would withstand opposition to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah’s re-elections.
But what of if Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku appoints many more people, pay them till February and then sack them after the general elections? Of course, heaven would not fall. To the moral mind, that’s unthinkably wicked. Yet, emotions or morality is different from politics which is a chase of power – sometimes done by all means.
He would only lose some chunks of goodwill in case he wants votes to go for House of Representatives or for governorship in 2031. But who could have believed that Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku could win the governor’s endorsement in 2024 completely against the wish of the so-called kingmakers in Aninri? He also defiled the opposition to his second term and won handily. The guy has what it takes to beat odds, so he could do whatever he wants now and then wait for 2031 to take care of itself.
No matter what he does or thinks at this moment, he must probably be aware of the awaiting dilemma. And no matter how bitter this truth sounds, it’s the only solid reality he could hope to stand for an enlightened choice.
While nobody is complaining publicly, virtually all of them are complaining privately. And in politics, betrayal is allowed; It’s and accepted part of scheme. To keep his beloved and trusted brothers closer is the wisest thing to do when he’s dealing with meanest guys who would stop at nothing to take over his seat at any available chance. But my point is this: even that somewhat safe choice has its own risks.