By James Eze ([email protected])

 

Governor Willie Obiano remarkably seized the moral high ground in the upcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election when he made a passionate plea for peace, urging all aspirants to resist the temptation to plunge the state into a crisis that might turn all the progress recorded so far to ruins.
Addressing a group of All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirants in the state who paid him a condolence visit at the weekend in his Aguleri country home, Obiano commended the brotherly spirit that inspired the visit and expressed optimism that all aspiring from other political parties would imbibe the spirit of peaceful co-existence in the coming election.
The governor’s remarks came on the heels of a comment by the leader of the APC delegation, Senator Chris Ngige, who had made some humorous but sarcastic remarks that did not go down well with the crowd.
However, Obiano had gracefully risen above the sharp edges on the Labour Minister’s remarks and chose rather to set the tone for peaceful and decent campaign rhetoric in the election that has been scheduled for November 18, 2017.
According to him, “We must all remember that leadership comes from God. There is very little that our human efforts can do for us. When God chooses the leader, all we can do is to support him.”
The governor further reminded the aspirants that Anambra prides itself as a highly enlightened state: “So, we must prove that we are enlightened with the way we conduct ourselves in the coming election. We must not give anyone a chance to think that we are not what we claim.”
Pointing out that Anambra was bigger than the ambition of all the people aspiring to lead it, Obiano noted that the state had travelled a long, tortuous path to arrive at its present peace and stability. He, therefore, advised that all aspirants should place the interest of the state far and above private ambitions.
The governor further explained that his administration had done its utmost best within very limited resources to chart a new development agenda for Anambra State, assuring that Anambra would certainly become a far better place than it is now after his second term in office.
The APC delegation expressed condolences to the governor and his siblings, praying that Almighty God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss of their mother.
Despite his achievements that have been roundly applauded across Nigeria, opposition politicians in Anambra State have continued to sponsor virulent attacks against Obiano on social media, churning out false stories with the intention of confusing the electorate on the actual performance of the governor in the past three years.
But Obiano has maintained a dignified composure in the face of the most incendiary provocation, always placing the interest of Anambra State ahead of his own personal interests and he has gracefully taken every scurrilous attack at his person and his family in his stride.
His timely plea for a peaceful election in the coming race is, therefore, a confirmation of Governor Obiano’s mature and seasoned approach to leadership, which many observers say is uncommon in these parts.
Amplifying the import of the governor’s statement, Chief Austin Anyaeji, a veteran journalist, observed that it was very instructive indeed.
“Can’t you see that he is already providing an inspiring leadership even to the people who aspire to take over his position? In setting the agenda for peace and reminding his co-aspirants of the need to see the big picture, Obiano has demonstrated that he is a better leader than them and, therefore, the one whose re-election would be in the best interest of the people,” Chief Anyaeji said.