Enugu: Why politics and phobia cannot blend

Of all the phobias, social phobia is the mostly encountered in our daily lives. Such a phobia has a long-term negative impact on work performance and social relationships. It is generally advised that one should not take decisions that are predicated on phobia. When on the other hand a government predicates its policies on phobia, […]

Of all the phobias, social phobia is the mostly encountered in our daily lives. Such a phobia has a long-term negative impact on work performance and social relationships. It is generally advised that one should not take decisions that are predicated on phobia. When on the other hand a government predicates its policies on phobia, the policy outcome is bound to be disastrous both for society and posterity.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu has enjoyed a steady rise in politics. His profile, sterling qualities, and outstanding performance in national politics are a source of delight to his admirers, as well as the cause of envy to others.  
Political pundits have observed that the image of Governor Sullivan Chime took a downward trajectory from the time the policies of his government became phobia-driven. The personages in both history and scriptures whose actions were envy or phobia-driven had often licked their wounds. Thus, the zoning policy enunciated by Governor Chime that favours the Enugu North Senatorial District for the governorship of Enugu state and his subsequent declaration that the current members of the National Assembly from Enugu state will not be allowed to re-contest the elections on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were both phobia-driven. They were simply aimed at caging Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The widely condemned ‘chicken impeachment’ meted on Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State is obviously phobia-driven. According to Governor Chime, Mr. Onyebuchi hobnobs with his political enemies. Similarly, the dethronement of HRH, Igwe Hafford Agana, the chairman, Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council and the traditional ruler of Amandim Olo in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu state on the grounds of his relationship with Sen.Ike Ekweremadu has brought untold conflict to the community. Just recently, a Permanent Secretary in the Enugu state government was demoted because of he refused to sign or sponsor a defamatory publication against Senator Ekweremadu.
The Church is not left out in the emotion-driven policies, too, as a prominent Catholic priest, Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu is stigmatized by Governor Chime for speaking against the marginalization of the Greater Awgu.
The worst of the phobia-driven policy is the refusal by Governor Chime to execute any project in the whole of Aninri LGA throughout his almost eight years in office. This is because Aninri is the home local government of Ike Ekweremadu. However, public policy defines the vision and mission of the government. Thus, the best of the human elements are deployed in the articulation of public policies. Enduring policies should be rational, creative, transformative, comprehensive and equity-based.
Cliff Ileka wrote in from Abuja