By Mark Uzonna
As preparations for November 18 governorship election in Anambra State gathers momentum, pretenders and contenders are already jostling for the coveted seat, recognition and spoilers’ role. Influence peddlers, jobbers and foot soldiers are repositioning for what can benefit them personally.
The voters are wiser now. They are carefully observing the developments and weighing their options. Fortunately, they know the aspirants more than they (aspirants) know themselves. Besides, they have seen the need for a paradigm shift in the leadership of the state.
All these are expected, especially in a state like Anambra, where elections before now were decided by several factors-high-wired politics, monetary inducements, religion, popularity, track record, intrigues, conspiracy, undercurrents and backbiting. Among the contenders is a renowned engineer of impeccable track record and international repute, Engr. Barth Nwibe popularly called Ugo Igboukwu. His entry into the governorship race wasn’t a surprise to many, considering that he has quietly paid his dues as a strong member and donor in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Not a greenhorn in the politics, Nwibe in 2011 has contested election into House of Representatives to represent Aguata Federal Constituency, but was rigged out. Not daunted by the development, Nwibe remained a loyal party man till date. This singular act speaks volume of his kind of person and what he stands for. For Nwibe to have identified with the defunct ACN in Anambra State at a time the party was seen as a taboo and labeled Yoruba party showed that Nwibe is a not man of immediacy, but one who saw and worked for a better tomorrow. This was at a time, no one, not even those who are now jumping into All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state believed that the ruling party would, let alone winning the 2015 presidency.
While such persons, especially politicians are welcomed into the APC, having realised their mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket in 2015, they should be ready and willing to work for the victory of the party in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election. This is especially as it has become obvious that the election will be a two-horse race between the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Since Nwibe and others declared their intentions to run for the seat, the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano has stepped up his campaign, knowing that it is not going to be easy race. So many awards and endorsements have been arranged and conferred him.
Lectures are being hurriedly organised and speakers influenced to endorse Obiano. Facts are being twisted and history is being rewritten. Zoning is being bandied to justify why Obiano should be given a second term. All these are not new. It is politics of stomach infrastructure and survival. With all these intrigues and undercurrents, APC must be very careful. The party needs Anambra State as an inroad to Southeast in 2019. The influx of southeast politicians into the party is a confirmation of the acceptance of the party in the zone, despite initial rejection. So, there is need for the party leadership and the presidency to manage this success well. Failure to do so may spell doom for the party in 2019, especially in the southeast region.
Managing it well starts with choosing a sellable candidate with no unblemish record in Anambra election. This is where Nwibe fits in. Apart from being a Catholic and loyal party man with means, Nwibe is from Anambra South, the zone that produced Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju had only one term in office as governor before power moved to Anambra Central for 11 years.
Even if zoning of the governorship seat should be discussed and written today, equity demands that Anambra South should be allowed to produce the next governor. This is because Obiano from North, just like Mbadinuju from South has done four years and it is better for the South to complete its eight years before the North. Where this is not possible which is not a surprise, it is better those behind it, discard it and present scorecard of their aspirants, especially that of Obiano, with the billions he has received as governor.
► Uzonna, a retired civil servant wrote from Amawbia, Awka Anambra