We read a piece written by one Mr. Jude C. Okoro, in which he misinterpreted the statement made by the NDC senatorial candidate for Enugu North, Rt. Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu (Osuofia). Mr. Okoro, who wrote in defence of Governor Peter Mbah, failed to respond to the issues and concerns raised by Hon. Asadu. Instead, he deviated from them and ended up affirming the very points he intended to challenge.
It should be recalled that Hon. Asadu accused Governor Mbah’s administration of three things: running a government that is insensitive to the people, imposing harsh taxes on the poor, and failing to construct even a single kilometre of road in any of the six local government areas of the Enugu North Senatorial District. The governor even went as far as telling Nsukka elders that his administration had constructed 350 roads across Enugu State, without allocating a single kilometre to Enugu North, despite the zone’s significant population and geographical size.
The critic did not attempt to address the concerns raised by Dr. Asadu. Instead, he went on and on in an effort to divert attention, alleging that Hon. Asadu spent 16 years in the National Assembly without achieving anything. Is it not ridiculous for anyone to assume that such a claim could be remotely factual?
We are not even debating whether Hon. Patrick Asadu achieved heaven on earth during his tenure, because the evidence of his accomplishments speaks for itself.
For example, Dr. Asadu distinguished himself in the National Assembly through the quality and relevance of the bills he sponsored. Is that not a demonstration of capacity?
He constructed and renovated several primary and secondary school blocks across Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South and provided desks, chairs and learning materials to numerous schools. Through his intervention, scholarships and international educational sponsorships to the United States and India were secured. He equipped the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, E-Library and other academic centres, while also constructing modern health centres in Nru and Ajuona Ovoko.
He organised large-scale free medical outreach programmes that provided surgeries, eye care, dental treatment and psychiatric services. He also facilitated the rehabilitation of the Nsukka Police Station. These are only a few examples of his interventions. Anyone in doubt is free to verify them.
At the very least, his achievements give him the moral and political standing to call out a government when it deviates from the fundamental principles the governor swore to uphold: equity, justice and fairness.
The issue raised by Hon. Asadu is straightforward: Why has the governor failed to construct a single kilometre of road in the entire Enugu North zone while boasting of having constructed hundreds of roads across the state? Where is the justice?
It is entirely fallacious for a supposedly educated person to introduce an irrelevant subject in an attempt to divert attention instead of addressing the real issues.
If the governor has constructed millions of kilometres of roads, as his supporters would have the public believe, he should simply identify those located in Enugu North, where Dr. Asadu hails from. Anything short of that amounts to a distraction from Dr. Asadu’s vision and mission to rescue our people from the unfortunate situation in which they have found themselves.
Is the governor not imposing taxes on poor traders? Of course, he is, and traders across Enugu State are dissatisfied with the situation.
Therefore, instead of attacking Dr. Asadu for speaking out, the governor should act swiftly to address the issues he raised.
For how long will we continue to politicise everything, including the welfare of the people?
Dr. Asadu has become a voice through which the pains and concerns of the people of Enugu North are being heard. We must understand that it takes a courageous man to speak such truth to power. Who else has openly raised these issues before now?
We urge the governor’s representatives and supporters to visit communities across Enugu North and speak directly with the people. We believe they will then understand that Dr. Asadu’s statements reflect the prevailing realities in the zone.
The fact remains that no number of paid media hirelings, nor their attempts to create distractions, can prevent Dr. Patrick Asadu and the people of Enugu North from demanding their fair share from the Enugu State Government, regardless of who occupies the governorship seat.
There is no doubt that the people of Enugu North will speak with their votes in 2027 and beyond. The era of treating Enugu North as though it does not matter is over. With Dr. Patrick Asadu championing the cause of equity, justice and fairness in Enugu State and Nigeria, the people’s voices will no longer be ignored.
Enugu North must be liberated in 2027 and beyond with Rt. Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu (Osuofia).
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