Igwe Odegbo says governor has done well
From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
Igwe Rowland Odegbo, traditional ruler of Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State speaks on several issues concerning Anambra State, saying Governor Willie Obiano should be allowed to go for a second term, considering “his good performance in office.”
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo recently endorsed Governor Obiano for a second term during the celebration of his three years in office, don’t you think he is a lone voice?
How can he be a lone voice? Prof. Soludo is a known personality in Nigeria. He is a technocrat and as such knows the economic impact of Willie Obiano’s administration in Anambra for him to make such an open, unadulterated endorsement. He spoke the truth. If it’s not broken, why mend it? Willie Obiano is doing well as governor. Soludo spoke his mind as an individual and he also has followers. I personally support what he said.
It was alleged that he made an open endorsement of Obiano because of a deal to handover to him (Soludo) after Obiano’s tenure.
You cannot make such a deal because Obiano still has five more years to be governor. Who knows who is going to be alive by then to fulfil such a deal? You don’t change a general in the middle of the war. Anambra State has never had it so good. Governor Willie Obiano is doing spectacular work all over the place. He is putting his imprints in Anambra State. He is not a greedy man. The security agencies will tell you. People accuse him of so much security votes. But these moneys are being used appropriately. The military, SSS, police, and others are happy that he is supporting them to do their work as they should. But let me even tell you; after Ngige, Peter Obi, Willie Obiano, I think Soludo is a round peg in a round hole. If he comes out tomorrow to run for governor in the future, the people of Anambra North will look at him favourably because he is supporting our people. We believe that after Willie Obiano, the rotational governorship will go to the South. Whoever they brought out will be supported widely. But as for Soludo, he has at least, spoken the truth.
As a monarch, you feel the pulse of the people. Given the available feedback you have at your disposal, do you really think Obiano has lived up to expectations?
Tell me where he has not performed. Look at the agriculture sector; look at the Lynden Farm in Igbariam community. Look at the rice production. People in Lagos are coming to buy Anambra rice. Isn’t that something? Did we have it before? Look at security. People sleep with their two eyes closed. Anambra is safer than it used to be. It’s all about setting ones priority aright. Governor Obiano has done exceptionally well in these two areas. Ndigbo used to ask: ‘How many lions will you kill before you’re called lion killer (Ogbu agu)? In my opinion, Obiano has done well in Anambra.
Many people believe that Obiano-led administration thrive on propaganda. How do you look at that?
It is jealousy. What is the fact in that allegation? Willie is blowing the horn that he brought security. And truly, he did. You see every Christmas people come home to celebrate it unlike before. Can’t he take credit for what he has done? He has a bragging right over that. It is only an enemy that will say that this governor has not performed.
Can you tell us about Omambala Union headed by you?
Omambala Union is about the four core local government: Oyi, Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West, as well as our cultural brothers in Awka North and Dunukofia here. The two are our brothers even though there is a geographical divide. Omambala Union, first of all, is to bring our people together, create political awareness and tap into the government that is from our area and support Willie with our ideas. And, of course, remind him about the things we think he should do for our Omambala area. He is already doing that by developing agriculture. Our people who are farmers are enjoying because he is opening up the Ayamelum and Anambra West axis. And Ndi-Anambra are happy for what he is doing. So, Omambala Union is here to support our own. Just like old Aguata Union are doing their thing, we are doing ours. I am personally proud of Willie Obiano. And I can debate with anybody in any media about the successes of Willie Obiano administration.
Don’t you think Prof. Soludo has betrayed his people of old Aguata Union who recently complained that Obiano has not done anything for them?
Why don’t you go and look at the projects the governor has done in the Aguata axis: the roads, electricity, farm, and others. I want to remind you that when you go to the marketplace everybody tries to sell his wares. Aguata people will continue to ask. Everybody is an Oliver Twist, asking for more. In Anambra North, not all the communities have benefited. I am from Nteje community and I can tell you that no project has been located here. We are believing that before the governor finishes his second term, he will remember us. There is no governor that will touch the 177 communities in Anambra State at once. But this governor did it by providing every community with the sum of N20 million to build whatever they liked. The wife of the governor is building toilets and homes for the homeless in different parts of Anambra. I know that because we have one in Nteje, one is in Awkuzu. So, I don’t think Prof. Soludo betrayed anybody from Aguata.
Obiano is allegedly fuelling or aiding intra-communal feud in so many communities by issuing certificate of recognition to unpopular candidates to the traditional stool. Oraukwu community and others in Ogbaru LG are good examples. What can you say about that?
I have recommended that the governor should set up a conflict resolution commission and appoint a retired judge as its head with reasonable traditional rulers and others as members. Such a commission would be funded appropriately. I don’t know if it has been done. This is important so that we can have a serious conflict resolution commission. Everybody wants to be a king even when it is not possibly so. The government has the machinery to verify who the people want. Hindsight is always 20:20. The grass always looks greener on the other side until you go over there and you’d see that it is not actually as it seems. I don’t think the government is fuelling chieftaincy problems in communities in the state. There is an SSS vetting that must be done before somebody is given a certificate as king. I don’t think the SSS goes to communities to approve somebody who would turn out to be problematic.