Anambra State Elections: The mother of all battles
One of the biggest gubernatorial battles
is shaping up in Anambra State . The former governor Dr. Chris Ngige
will be representing the AC Party while Andy Uba will contest on the
shoulders of the PDP. The big advantage in this election is undoubtedly
in favor of Chris Ngige who is regarded by many in Anambra State as the
candidate of the people.
In two short years as the governor of Anambra State , Dr. Ngige achieved
what all the previous governors of Anambra State from Ukpabi Asika to
Peter Obi failed to deliver to the people. While it is inappropriate to
include Governor Peter Obi in this analysis in view of his few months in
office prior to his impeachment, suffices to say that Peter Obi may have
good intentions but he fell to his political amateurism.
Regardless of the controversy over how much money Ngige left in Anambra
State treasury when he left office, many citizens of the state see in
Ngige, a genuine desire to do good for the people of the State. While
the national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief
Victor Umeh claims that Ngige left a debt of N6.7 billion when he left
office, Dr. Chris Ngige in his interview with Sahara Reports stated that
he left N7.5 billion in government coffers when he left office.
Ngige's problems began when he decided to be his own man, and not
allow political pundits to manipulate him. While it is difficult to know
the truth about how much money was left in Anambra coffers, it is a
known fact that efforts were made by the incoming administration to
discredit Ngige's administration. The other known fact is that Chris
Ngige worked for the people of Anambra State . He improved the
dilapidating infrastructures in the State, and he carried out the
construction of roads; he also rehabilitated workers and pensioners in
the State within the relatively two short years of his rule.
Ngige's popularity in Anambra State cuts across all segments of the
population. On my last visit to Nigeria I decided to do an unscientific
evaluation of Ngige. As I traveled to different towns and cities in
Anambra State I asked people I came across randomly what they thought
about Governor Ngige. Everyone I talked to told me that Governor Ngige
is the best thing to happen to Anambra State . People truly believe that
the governor has made positive impact on the State. This is the first
time in the history of Anambra State that many Anambrarians said such
things about their governor.
Chances for APGA to win in Anambra State are not very good. As for Andy
Uba of the PDP, he has little chances of winning in Anambra State . The
involvement of Andy and Chris Uba with the Obasanjo's PDP continues to
backfire on them to the point that their influence in Anambra state is
very negligible regardless of their financial strength and connections.
Godfatherism had wrecked havoc on Anambra State politics. Many citizens
of the State also hold president Obasanjo responsible for many of the
problems of the state. It should be recalled that Governor Peter Obi was
immediately impeached following the visit of President Obasanjo to the
state. Is there any connection with the Obasanjo's visit, I truly do
not know.
Anambra State is currently under the leadership of Governor Dame Virgy
Etiaba the first female governor in Nigeria . While we wish her well and
the best in her effort to move the state forward, we must however note
that she does not have enough time to develop and implement serious
policies for the state. Serious problems threaten the state including
erosion, lack of steady energy, running water, and jobs to sustain our
graduates who must look elsewhere for employment thereby robbing the
state of needed trained personnel.
In summary, it is inescapable not to say that the people of this great
state of Anambra deserve better leadership. Anambra State has one of the
highest literacy rates in Nigeria . They not only excel in academics,
some of Nigeria's leading scientists and engineers come from Anambra
State , the state is home of one of the largest commercial markets in
West Africa . Until Anambra State electorate votes into office the right
leadership, the state will continue to languish in mediocrity. Hopefully
the next election will bring good to the state by ending the political
fighting which continues to negatively impact on the state's
governance.
Paul Okechukwu Oranika
Email: oranika@yahoo.com
