Politics
2014: Anambra Up For Grabs
Come March 17, 2014, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State will be bowing out from office having served his people for two terms. Govenor Obi who contested the gubernatorial election in Anambra State on the platform of All Progressives Grands Alliance (APGA) in 2003 came into office 33 months later, following the ouster of Dr. Chris Ngige of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through an Appeal Court judgement.
Before Governor Obi took over the mantle of leadership in Anambra State his predecessor, Dr. Ngige, a physician of notable standing had successfully carried out a surgical operation on the sickly state as a result of the malaise of maladministration occasioned by the visionless leadership of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju. It was while the state was recuperating under the able hands of Dr. Ngige who had embarked on a number of developmental projects that power was transferred to Governor Obi on March 17, 2006.
Although Governor Obi was a successful businessman before he ventured into politics his election into the exalted office was facilitated by Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the founder of APGA, the Ikemba Nnewi and Eze Igbo Gburugburu who commanded the respect of the Ndigbo. Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu, an adorable leader of his people hailed from Anambra State, and for his sake Anambra State was delivered to Governor Obi twice on the platform of APGA.
However, Governor Obi has been able to provide purposeful leadership to the people of Anambra State in the past seven years.
According to observers, his development programme, Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which was unveiled in the days of his administration has taken care of some of the developmental needs of his people. Apart from ensuring prudence in the management of the state treasury, Governor Obi has made remarkable impact on the health and education sectors as well as youth empowerment. Indeed, history will have him as one of those who left enduring legacies in Anambra State.
But one thing that is very common with politicians that have occupied elective positions is their unquenchable thirst for power. For a man of his political status observers are of the view that Governor Obi will be aspiring for a national office.
Speaking at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Asata, Enugu recently, Governor Obi said he would quit politics at the end of his tenure.
“For me, I have come to the end of it. I want to quit and rest. However, I have been praying to God that for the sake of the good people of Anambra State, please give them somebody like Peter Obi”, he said.
As Governor Obi’s tenure is fast winding up, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra State gubernational poll for November 16, this year. Consequently, governorship aspirants of the major poltical parties in the country have lined up for the juicy office.
While it was easy for Governor Obi to win election in 2003 and 2010 through the enormous support and influence of late Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu the coast appears to be hazy for APGA in the forthcoming election due to the intra-party wranglings that pollarised the party for a length of time. Fortunately, Governor Obi and the embattled National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh have resolved their differences, but they need to redouble their effort so as to reposition the party to regain the confidence of the Anambrarians. In fact, Governor Obi should rise to occasion by proving skeptics wrong that APGA was buried alongside the Late Ikemba.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) equally has a chance to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State if the warring factions in the party will sheathe their swords and work together for their common good. Presently, the party controls two Senatorial seats and a sizeable number of seats in the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly. It is therefore, incumbent on the party leadership at the national level to ensure that the right thing is done for peace to reign.
Recently, business mogul, Ifeanyi Uba declared his intention to contest the gubernatorial poll on the platform of the Labour Party. Although, he is being dismissed in certain quarters as political neophyte, observers are of the view that he could spring surprises because of his financial musile which is a major factor in politics.
Also in the race is former Governor Chris Ngige who is currently the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. In a letter dated July 24, 2013 and addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, Senator Ngige formally notified the Senate of his intention to participate in the gubernatorial election.
“Mr. President and distinguished colleagues, in the last three months or so, I have been incundated with calls, text messages and visits by many people from my home state, Anambra, and the messages had remained the same, ‘we need you back home as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of our State come March 17, 2014.
“It has been a very difficult decision for me to take and I have consulted extensively with my family, political associates, colleagues and the people.
“My people think that I would be better as their governor again. They have asked; they have eajoled; they have persuaded; they have demanded; they have called and they are praying that I answer their call to come and govern the state again.
“I have had the honour and privilege of serving them in this capacity before from May 2003 – March 2006.
“They were kind enough to send me to this Senate to show me immense goodwill they have for me. It is therefore, not a personal ambition any longer for me to become Governor of Anambra State.
“However, the cry and the demand of my people have been a source of incredible pressure and have increased tremendously with the release of the election timetable two weeks ago by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I have concluded consultations and now find it necessary to officially inform this Senate that I will be an aspirant and hopefully a candidate in the election.
“Please wish me luck and pray for me, even if you are not of my party. I am of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stock, but for this journey I intend to use the vehicle of Progressives – our newly merged political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, he said.
The Anambra gubernatorial poll is indeed gaining momentum, it is our hope that the electorate will be guided by their conscience in choosing the right person for the job.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.