Enugu governorship: Residents will vote for competence –Okpara
Convener of Ihe Abia, Ichie Emeka Okpara, has extolled Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, saying he is capable of delivering excellent dividends of democracy to Ndi Enugu as well as moving the state to the next level, if he is elected governor of the state.
In this interview, Okpara spoke to journalists on sundry matters and pointed out reasons why Ohaa is the best that Enugu deserves among the candidates vying to occupy Lion Building in 2027.
Why are you backing Ohaa?
Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa needs no introduction, and I’m surprised that you are asking, but for the sake of courtesy, let me start by saying that he is a man of the people and a man for his people, a quintessential administrator. I spoke to one of your reporters about Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa sometime in 2022 when he was not even eyeing the Enugu Government House, and during that interview, everything I said about him remains unchanged, and, like old wine, he has even matured better now. Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa is a man whose remarkable career has traversed the private and public sectors and whose contributions to society have been defined by diligence, perseverance, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to service. It is indeed a daunting task to speak about Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa without sounding flattering, because he embodies, and in many respects transcends, the qualities ordinarily associated with distinguished leadership and exemplary public service. His story is one of purposeful growth, painstaking preparation, and a lifelong dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It would not be out of place to suggest that providence began preparing Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa for a life of leadership and service from an early age. His inclination toward leadership was evident from his formative years, as he distinguished himself through active participation and responsibilities during his school, secondary school, and undergraduate days. These early experiences laid the foundation for the exceptional career that would follow.
Over the years, Ohaa has had the privilege of serving both Enugu State and Nigeria in several distinguished capacities. His public service career includes his tenure as the Accountant-General of Enugu State, as well as service as Permanent Secretary in several ministries at the federal level. Across these various assignments, he has consistently demonstrated competence, discipline, intellectual depth, and an enduring sense of responsibility.
His journey is therefore not merely a story of professional advancement; it is a testament to the virtues of hard work, resilience, leadership, and service to humanity. From his early encounters with leadership to his attainment of some of the highest responsibilities in public administration, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has continued to exemplify the truth that greatness is seldom accidental. It is earned through years of preparation, sacrifice, perseverance, and faithful service.
What are the qualities that put places him above other contestants?
A man’s worth is measured not merely by what he achieves, but by how much better he leaves a place than he found it. At this defining moment, what Ndi Enugu needs is a leader who can draw on decades of experience to confront the state’s challenges and move it decisively to the next level. Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa’s career has been shaped by purposeful progression and exposure to the crucibles of governance and administration, equipping him with the knowledge, competence, and practical wisdom required to provide solutions to the increasingly complex challenges of our time.
At the federal level, Ohaa rose to the distinguished position of Permanent Secretary, serving in critical establishments and ministries, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Common Services in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Ministry of Power, from where he retired meritoriously in 2021. Prior to this, he had served Enugu State in several strategic capacities, including as Accountant-General, and contributed his expertise to other key ministries. These experiences have given him a rare and comprehensive understanding of governance, public administration, policy implementation, and institutional management.
His years as a Permanent Secretary also exposed him to the delicate interplay between politics and administration, as he worked closely with ministers and other political office holders. This experience equipped him with the maturity and diplomatic skill to navigate the inevitable interface between political leadership and the professional civil service—an attribute that is indispensable to the effective governance of Enugu State. At a time when the state requires purposeful leadership, sound judgment, and practical solutions, what more could Ndi Enugu ask for than a man whose decades of experience have prepared him to lead with competence, wisdom, and vision?
What specific work experience does he have that makes him suitable to govern Enugu State?
One of the experiences Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa can draw upon in repositioning Enugu as a city and state of choice is his distinguished service in youth and sports administration, including his tenure as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports. He understands the power of sports as a unifying force and a vehicle for youth development. With young people constituting a significant proportion of Nigeria’s population and representing the country’s most active and productive demographic, deliberate investment in sports, entertainment, ICT, and vocational skills can unlock enormous economic potential while reducing youth vulnerability to crime and social vices. For Enugu, this must include a purposeful revival of a club that once stood proudly among the giants of Nigerian and African football and remains an important part of the region’s identity.
The economic and social benefits of a vibrant Rangers brand cannot be overstated. Beyond sporting glory, a properly managed and commercially viable club can create jobs, attract investment, stimulate tourism, develop young talent, and contribute to the state’s internally generated revenue. Enugu cannot afford to overlook such opportunities while constantly relying on monthly federal allocations to meet its obligations. With his extensive experience in sports administration, Sir Ohaa possesses the knowledge and institutional understanding to place youth development and sports at the centre of Enugu’s economic renewal and restore the pride and prominence the state once enjoyed.
He was involved in the FCT’s administration and urban renewal. Abuja is widely regarded as one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, a transformation driven not only by policy vision but by effective administration and disciplined implementation. At the ministerial level, policies may be conceived by political leadership, but their successful execution rests largely on the administrative machinery headed by the Permanent Secretary. Having served as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was, therefore, directly exposed to the complexities of urban planning, infrastructure development, public administration, and the implementation of policies that have shaped Abuja into the remarkable city it is today. What better qualification could Enugu seek than a leader with the experience to adapt those lessons to the state? With Enugu’s distinctive hills, valleys, and natural beauty, the time is ripe for a comprehensive new master plan that will give the city a fresh identity and reposition it as a modern, attractive, and economically vibrant regional capital. Having celebrated its centenary, Enugu must now look beyond its past and embrace a new phase of purposeful urban renewal. Beyond physical development, Sir Ohaa’s experience in overseeing the implementation of the Federal Character principle within the FCT workforce gives him a deep understanding of equity, inclusion, and balanced representation in a multicultural environment. The principle of enye ndi ebaa, enye ndi ebaa—fairness and equal opportunity for all—must be at the heart of managing Enugu’s diverse workforce. At a time when concerns over equitable representation across the zones of the state are increasingly prominent, Ohaa’s experience provides him with the institutional knowledge and administrative maturity to build a system in which competence is rewarded, fairness is assured, and no section of the state feels excluded. This is the kind of leadership that can turn diversity from a source of agitation into a foundation for harmony and collective progress.
Reliable electricity remains fundamental to economic development, and Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa’s experience as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power gave him significant exposure to one of Nigeria’s most complex and strategically important sectors. His experience in the ministry would be relevant to any discussion about the opportunities available to subnational governments within the power sector, particularly as Enugu seeks to attract investment and strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises. Beyond his public-sector career, Ohaa has also built a notable record of community and social investment. Through youth empowerment, educational scholarships, support for indigent families, and his Shelter Gives Dignity initiative, he has demonstrated a longstanding interest in addressing practical needs within his community and beyond. His recognition by the Methodist Church of Nigeria as a Knight of John Wesley further reflects his involvement in community and church affairs.
As the next governorship election approaches, the discussion about Enugu’s future inevitably raises questions of experience, competence, zoning, equity, and the capacity of prospective candidates to address the state’s challenges. While every citizen has the constitutional right to aspire to political office and seek the support of the electorate, Enugu’s longstanding practice of rotating the governorship among its three senatorial zones remains an important element of the state’s political conversation. Supporters of the rotation principle argue that it promotes inclusion and reduces fears of domination or marginalisation, while those seeking to depart from it are equally entitled to make their case before the electorate. Ultimately, questions about who supports a candidate, the interests behind different political movements, and the suitability of each aspirant are matters for public scrutiny. What should remain central is an informed assessment of each candidate’s record, experience, ideas, character, and capacity to provide effective governance for all Ndi Enugu.
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