Awgu Invasion by CNPP:
As CNPP boss talk tough..

For a healthy democracy, a healthy opposition is as important as a strong government. It helps keep the regime in power under control for one. It also prevents it from developing arrogant and autocratic deviations from the path of progress and democracy by questioning such steps, assessing their policies objectively and also giving important inputs.

There is increasing pressure from younger generation, people at the rural areas including the urban middle classes for accountable and transparent governance and an alternative politics that will not only enrich the masses but also guarantee their future. This clamour from the people including the youth and urbanites is a cry for real democracy-a participatory and equitable dispensation with a strong human rights ethos - and should provide the foundation for the consolidation of democracy on the state of Enugu.

As the train of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) Enugu move round the 17 local government areas in the state, on the 14 of january, the train touched down in Awgu at exactly 2pm at PATBENSON HOTEL, right in the hall waiting to receive the entourage of the state executives of CNPP are the great people of Awgu especially the youth, the Onowus, the market women and different youth organizations who were highly enthusiastic about the visit having arrived the hotel since 12pm, even though 1pm was the time fixed for the local government inauguration but they arrived since 12pm and waited up till 2pm. Though there was a delay on their way to the venue of the inauguration which was not unconnected with the state of the road leading to the venue.

After the inauguration, the team together with the newly inaugurated Awgu Local Government executive paid a courtesy visit to some prominent sons and daughters of Awgu who received the team with great joy, confessing the resultant affect of absent of political opposition in the local government where the people who suppose to hold government accountable to deliver democratic dividends to their people were busy dining with the government while pursuing selfish agenda.

It was during the courtesy visits that CNPP discovered the pains and agony of Awgu people. Even a major road in the local government commissioned just 8 months ago is now in terrible shape. The famous Oye-Awgu Market is nothing to write home about, a show of total abandonment, a reflection of selfish desire of some persons that suppose to speak up against such neglect.

Also speaking, the state party chairman of Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Hon. Chinedu Ayaka express gladness for the inauguration of Awgu chapter of CNPP and stated clearly that it takes a credible opposition in politics to get the government do the right thing and said that he is happy that the CNPP Enugu is being lead by a man he can vow for, looking at the credibility of the chairman of CNP, Chief Adonis Igwe JP, and equally regretted the state of affairs in Awgu local government. Hon. Ayaka also expressed dismay that no one is really talking about the anomalies in the area and welcomes the ideology of the body and promised to work assiduously to realize the vision and mission of CNPP in the state.

A former chieftain of SDP, Hon. Godwin Nwankwo pointed out the blackout in Awgu calls for serious concern which according to him is more than two years without light in the area and pleaded on CNPP to come to their aid by directing the attention of the government on the plight of Awgu people and assured the CNPP that he will throw his weight behind the body and use his influence to promote the aims and objectives of CNPP.

Accepting the offer to lead the local government, Comrade John Festus Kama, expressed joy for the position given to him and assured the famous body that he will redefined party politics in the state especially as the local government election is around the corner and promised to use his power as the CNPP Chairman Awgu chapter to balance the local government contest by building a viable and formidable opposition that will take over the local government from the establishment who have worsen the condition of the people of Awgu through their selfish pursuit and greediness.

Speaking to the mammoth crowd during the inauguration, the state chairman of CNPP, Chief Adonis Igwe JP, said that the presence of opposition is the beauty of democracy! Its presence indicates that the government cannot arbitrarily takes decision, especially those unjust policies of the state government because opposition is there to pull its leg and muster up the support against it, he stated. He assured the people of Awgu the willingness of CNPP to build leaders that will take control of their resources and take their destinies in their own hands by electing popular candidates to represent them both Counsellors and local government Chairmen. In his words, he said "the coming local election will not and cannever be business as usual and vow to stop any move by anybody no matter how highly placed to manipulate the local council election in the state while assuring the teaming supporters of the maximum support of CNPP. He said that the era of 17/17 is over and warned that anybody who try nonsense in the local poll will face undilluted resistance from the masses and praise the political consciousnesss of the present generation of youth and advised them to be law abiding citizens while encourage them to always stand up against any unjust policy of the government because is the responsibility of the people to hold their leaders accountable and reiterate the important of viable political opposition in the state.

The inauguration which ended with double warm receptions at Oye-Awgu and PATBENSON HOTEL where the people especially the newly inaugurated executives hosted the team to satisfaction and ended with vote of thanks which was conveyed by a Garbonese Based son of the soil, Comrade Ejike Egwuonu who thanked the team and resolved to stay back home till the local government election is concluded.