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 the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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