The battle for Enugu State’s ministerial slot in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet has intensified, with former Governors Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as former Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, emerging as leading contenders.
According to political insiders, consultations and lobbying have reached fever pitch in both Abuja and Enugu as influential figures rally behind their preferred candidates. Each of the three political heavyweights brings considerable experience, networks, and varying levels of federal and grassroots appeal to the race.
Sullivan Chime, who governed Enugu between 2007 and 2015, is said to enjoy strong support from some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchy, owing to his perceived loyalty and administrative record.
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his immediate successor, also commands influence, particularly among those advocating bipartisan balance and continuity of the state’s political legacy.
Meanwhile, Chimaroke Nnamani, a two-term senator and former governor (1999–2007), remains a formidable contender with longstanding ties to national political elites.
Party sources indicate that the final choice may reflect a delicate balance of competence, loyalty, and political relevance with Tinubu expected to weigh regional considerations and reward consistent allies.
While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the Enugu ministerial race has reawakened old rivalries and reignited strategic maneuvering within the state’s political establishment.
