| Peter Obi: Bridging
the divide
By Iheanyichukwu Obi
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The drama that took place at Anambra State on May 1, 2006,
was unprecedented in the history of the state. Nothing in
the semblance had been witnessed, in the past couple of decades.
This writer happens to be of Igbo extraction but not from
Anambra, the state that of recent has served as the bastion
of hope and light to all Igbo speaking people of Nigeria.
A state that, in the last decade, degenerated to a laughing
stock and made the Igbo ethnic group, a mockery and caricature
to the rest of the nation. It showed the evil of Abuja politicians
being the ones in real political control while state politicians
including governors, became their “house boys”.
The situation and fall-out was so despicably contagious, that
sister states of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu were infected
with the deadly power scourge, which kept the entire Igbo
nation in utter confusion. Such was the fertility of the Ndigbo
soil, that all it could germinate and spring forth were chaos,
confusion and political instability. The result is the one
step forward – two steps backward developmental recess
we have had to grapple with in the first quarter of this republic.
But Anambra has come once more to point us to the real challenges
facing any true Igbo leader aspiring to lead the people of
Igbo land in contemporary Nigerian politics.
This writer was invited to a thanksgiving ceremony in Awgbu,
Anambra State, by a friend (a native) who also resides in
Lagos. The event took place on Sunday, April 30, 2006.
We arrived on Saturday and after the event on Sunday, our
host insisted we stay on the following day May 1 being Workers
Day, and of course, a public holiday. The news was in the
air that the state governor was being expected to flag-off
the rehabilitation of a strategic road in the state, the Nibo-Umuowuhu-Awgbu-Agulu-Oko
Road. It didn't need much pressure and persuasion for us to
stay. More so, as we were in a sleepy Nigerian remote rural
setting, away from the hectic and stressful unrest of Lagos:
We agreed to stay another day.
Come that day, the entire suburb was agog with people shouting
and calling out to others that everyone must be at the Eke-Awgbu
market square. From 12 noon, we had all trooped to the market
square with our host, family, relations and a handful of left
behind co-guests. Every inch of the ground had been taken
up by people. It was indeed a mammoth but expectant gathering.
And what a long wait it was, as news filtered in a couple
of hours later that the governor being awaited, was at Awka
township stadium taking the salute from the working class
and also marshalling out his plans to them.
Meanwhile, all manner of local but colourful dance groups
were at hand, entertaining the crowd with gusto and acrobatic
dexterity, so much so, the intense heat of the sun was not
felt. Everyone was immersed in and enjoying the scintilating
displays.
Finally, at about 3 pm, the governor, Mr. Peter Obi arrived
the scene. After the traditional presentation and breaking
of kolanuts and welcome addresses, the APGA chairman came
on stage to speak about the importance of the project at hand.
He said every young Anambra boy in the past had assisted the
mother and father to come to the Eke Market carrying one ware
or the other for sale. He narrated with nostalgia how he used
to carry his mother’s clothing materials on his bare
head, and walk to the market until he was big enough to bring
the same wares to the market on a bicycle. He also urged the
construction firm, Inter-Bau, to do a quality job, as the
road links the authentic Anambra food basket areas, to the
roads that will help the communities properly feed the state
and its people.
It was now the turn of the governor to mount the rostrum.
This writer before this event was not well disposed to this
governor whom many Anambrans nay Igbos saw as an aberration:
a disruption to Ngige’s march of progress and one who
is naively regarded as a dark cloud shrouding the illuminated
skyline of the new Anambra vis-à-vis political stability.
Nevertheless, irrespective of personal ill-disposition towards
Mr. Peter Obi as a result of the long drawn court battles
with Ngige, a rapt attention was accorded him and his speech,
though with a degree of apprehension. I must confess, I was
sold as I listened. His mien, in synchronization with the
epochal speech, was infectious.
Peter Obi’s speech as he said, was what he made earlier
to the workers at Awka township stadium. He insisted on delivering
same to the people so that they can understand and appreciate
his plans for them. The speech has since been published in
some national newspapers, so there will be no need to bore
anyone with details here, but few things ought to be mentioned
about the speech. Mr. Peter Obi is not one of the run-of-the-mill
political office seekers. He has thoroughly studied and researched
the problems bedeviling Igboland with Anambra as a case study
and had workable panacea to the myriads of problems. In fact
his masterly understanding of the situation in the entire
Igboland and Anambra State in particular, was fascinating.
Going by the speech, the governor’s deep appreciation
of the Ngige legacy was so touching and revealing, but he
promised to surpass it all. He stated that the Anambra vision
2010 standard for governors is to build 54kms of road annually
but in two years the former governor did 196kms. This is what
Mr. Peter Obi promised to beat. What a man! I must also say
that everyone was overwhelmed by the turn out and reception
accorded him.
One drama which could be termed providential occurred. A normal
project flag-off became an instrument in the hands of God
to build a unifying bridge between the entire people of Anambra,
and their God-chosen leader irrespective of their different
political leanings. This really was the climax of the entire
event. After the official flag-off of the road project, the
governor after exchanging pleasantries took-off and all followed
his convoy to break away from the traffic build-up, which
expectedly was bound to follow.
But to the greatest surprise of everyone present, a man, ostensibly
to attract the governor’s attention and force the entourage
to a stop, got out of a Jeep and tapped at the governor’s
car. In a jiffy the governor’s car halted and he alighted,
followed by Mr. Umeh, the APGA Chairman. They started walking
on the road, exchanging banters, while waving in acknowledgement
of the cheers of the people who by now were gripped with frenzied
chants, back-slapping and hugging.
The people began to cheer louder and louder. The situation
was simply electrifying. All the people in unison began to
chant a loud chorus”Peter Obi, Peter Obi ka anyi ga
eso, ma ona jeje, ma ona ala ala, Peter Obi ka anyi ga eso!”
Suddenly, Chris Ngige’s hitherto legacy of aura, charisma,
confidence and love was unanimously and unequivocally transferred
to Mr. Obi. And thus a momentary transformation of loyalty
and a formidable sense of trust was bequeathed to Peter Obi
who also responded with a wonderful gesture of reciprocity
to the people for their sense of understanding and appreciation.
A transfer of certificate of acceptance has just taken place.
What a day, and what an event in the annals of Anambra history.
On further enquiry, it was established that the man in the
Mercedes Jeep who went to meet the governor was Chief Nath
Okechukwu, the golden-haired Chairman/Chief Executive of the
construction company Inter-Bau Construction company Ltd, who
had in his own speech during the flag-off, promised to deliver
in 48 weeks. In fact, it was revealed that the contract was
signed just a little over two weeks prior to this date.
But amazingly, the company had finished the grading and compacting
of over two-thirds of the road, even when no single kobo had
been released by the state government. By that singular act,
Nath Okechukwu and his company had demonstrated a rare show
of confidence in the person of the governor and Anambra State
as a whole. It was a unique show of patriotism. Such are the
caliber of attestations that could magically halt such a convoy
– A convoy of an executive governor for that matter.
That event in itself, is evidently a pointer to the positive
aura being ushered into Awka Government House by Peter Obi,
and in effect, shows what the future holds for Anambrans as
a people, more so from a governor who just took the reins
of governance not too long ago.
During and after the event, what agitated the minds of all
present were; what could have been said to the governor by
Chief Okechukwu to have warranted such an understandable break
in protocol? Or, could it be said that he sensed that that
was the auspicious time to solidify and give verve to his
well articulated agenda which touched on every aspect of the
people’s lives? Or perhaps, he might just be passing
across a lesson to contemporaries on how not to rock the boat
of state at infancy?
Was it not said that one must not ask what one’s country
can do for oneself, but ask what one can do for one’s
country? Up till this moment, I have not been able to really
ascertain Chief Nath Okechukwu’s hometown, but going
by what was witnessed at the event cum the exemplary execution
of the project by his company so far, he remains a great Ambassador
of the Igbo people nay Anambra State: should he hail from
there.
Whatever it was that transpired between them, the scenario
was simply MAGIC! It was electrifying and magnetizing. Mr.
Peter Obi has warmed himself to the people’s heart by
deeds and in pronouncements.
Going by the picture painted at the occasion, it seems the
real certificate of transfer of ownership of governance apart
from the one issued by INEC, after the court declaration had
just been handed him. Peter Obi grabbed the confidence of
the people 100%. Confidence has become real between the leader
and the led.
One fall-out of the event and a lesson-a great one for that
matter, is the Holy Scriptures’ wise saying “All
things work together for good”… yes! The Chris
U and Chris N debacle in Anambra which every right-thinking
Nigerian, irrespective of tribe or creed abhorred with great
venom, was God’s way of delivering Anambra from lack-lustre
governance.
The challenge of Ngige became the push for hardwork and success
for Obi. His predecessor’s legacy also, has become the
stepping stone for excellent ideals, achievements and meritorious
legacies in governance.
Obi writes from Lagos.
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