As he marks one-year in office yesterday, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has every reason to be pleased with himself. Like his 16 other heads of the council areas in Enugu State, he was “anointed” and made chairman of Aninri, last year, by Governor Peter Mbah himself. Now, for those who think it’s just easy, looking at the background of the young Prince would tell otherwise.
At the event at the local government headquarters, yesterday, all Aninri power brokers and stakeholders – including the most venomous dissents – were present to show solidarity. But it wasn’t necessarily the power of an executive chairman which brought them together. It was something far stronger than that: the ever increasing power of Nwanjoku dynasty!
By the evening of August 14, 2024, the day Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku was duly nominated for the chairmanship, it was clear that new era is born in Aninri politics. Before this time, it was normal for the so-called kingmakers to make the pick. And had they were allowed to choose, Nwanjoku wouldn’t have been their choice. However, while the kingmakers buried their heads in the many cracks and divisions in the village politics, the Prince worked his way into the heart of Lion Building, and the rest is history.
Since his swearing in, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has pursued a very simple but effective strategy: touching the emotive side of Ndi Aninri in a way that has never been done.
From massive employment through innovation in agriculture to infrastructural and education, his deeds have so far been “disruptive.” Obviously the most powerful politician in Aninri today, Prince Nwanjoku is not just building to succeed in his possible reelection bid next year; he is solidifying his steps to occupying loftier posts beyond Aninri shores.