The onus on Ogbulafor to put PDP right
By WALTER UKAEGBU
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vicent Ogbulafor, has been asked to refocuse the party to be a truly political institution. According to Noble Modebelu, owner of Nolem Nigeria Limited an Oil Servicing, despite the fact that Ogbulafor is part of the old brigade, the onus is on him to make a difference. He spoke on other matters of interest.

The emergence of Vincent Ogbulafor as chairman of PDP
The emergency of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor as chairman of the ruling PDP is not anything to cheer. This is because he is still in the group of the old brigade, we would have preferred a situation where the party gives the younger ones a chance. Since he has emerged as the chairman, he should play the game according to the rules, not minding whose ox is gored.

He is still remembered as one of the few politicians who fought against the third term. Considering the past record, this is the time for him to put things in its right perspective as he now has the opportunity to do so.
Many opinion leaders and analysts preferred either Anyim or Ezekiel Izuogu, who they seem to understand politically.

However, it would be unfortunate if Ogbulafor would trade off the Igbo political future without helping to address important issues like the creation of additional state in the South-east, the issue of Federal Government roads, airports, industries and the appointment of easterners to sensitive positions.

Political quagmire in Anambra State
It is unfortunate that with the number of intellectuals and successful business people in the state, there has never been peace among politicians, which has also made development in the state slow. A situation where an indigene of a state will indulge in the destruction of property of his state deserve much questions than answer. One should be glad that unlike some months ago when there were consistent disruption of peace and economic activities, relative peace has returned and we just hope that things should continue this way. I advice indigenes of the state to rise up to their responsibilities and make use of the abundant human and economic resources available in the state.

This, in my opinion, is how peace and development will reign supreme in the state. What is happening in the state should be blamed on greed and selfishness on the part of politicians and others. The fact is that the situation has continued to smear the image of the state and to drag the state backwards. I am happy the present Governor Peter Obi is serious and is handling the affairs of the state with great care.
My advice is that he should carve out cities in the state into estates and establish infrastructure. The estates should be mapped out while the roads should be paved.

The city capital, which currently is not big enough, should be expanded instead. I commend the governor for the level of performance, since he assumed office. I am advising him to build more roads.
As indigenes of the state are gifted in technical activities and engineering, the governor should build more technical, vocational and study centres/schools for technical studies and partner with countries, like Japan and China whose technical capabilities have been growing in geometrical progression.

Erosion in Anambra State
The level of erosion in the state is alarming and if nothing is done before the rains come in full swing more towns and villages would be eaten up. Since the issue is a natural disaster the Federal Government and state government should assist the victims, with a view to arresting the ugly situation. The areas affected should also be rebuilt while those who lost their houses and farm lands to the erosion should be assisted by the federal and state governments. The people also should learn to plant trees and stop cutting trees indiscriminately.

The erosion in the state should be blamed on wanton cutting down of trees, which also block free flow of rain water. The president should visit the state for on-the-spot assessment of the situation and declare a state of emergency on the menace.