By Ogbuefi Ray Ifeme
Permit me to start by stating categorically and clearly that everything that I have written in this piece is simply my personal opinion and my personal perspective on a number of fundamental issues in my state, zone and the nation at large. Therefore, it should not in any way be misconstrued as the view of anybody or group.
The piece is simply on the Anambra Central Senatorial election legal tussle, the court sack of Victor Oye, as APGA National Chairman, the recent Arewa Youths quit order to Ndigbo in their region and the revolutionary actions, provocative and inciting statements by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the South-East geopolitical zone that they must conquer Anambra State in the coming November governorship election “by fire, by force” I read this with utter consternation and disbelief, and asked the question: why Igbo again?
Events as they unfold in Anambra State for some time now, even for the apolitical, can only, at best, be described as shocking, unfortunate and mindboggling. One is deeply worried that at the dawn of a new political horizon when the issue of effective representation has taken the central stage, intrigues, power play, egoism, selfish agenda have robbed my state classified as the ‘Light of the Nation’ of one Senatorial seat and denied Ndi Anambra Central their much – needed democracy dividend set for its development going by Uche Ekwunife’s long pedigree.
Truth be told, if there is any person who has come to equity with absolute clean hands, as far as the Anambra Central Senatorial election legal tussle is concerned, that person is Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom). Ndi Anambra need no tutorial about the reason for the nullification of their 2015 Senatorial election mandate while that of the Anambra North and South remain; they know who their candidate was, they know who they voted for, they know Ekwunife remains their Senator; so when the naysayers forget that only the eyes of childhood fear a painted devil, that the democratic culture emphasizes positive creativity and discipline rather than primitive coerciveness and tyrannical predispositions, the discerning Ndi Anambra Central voters are quick to bring them back to their senses.
The lady with the heart of gold, that is yet to be celebrated, in 2015 contested and won election to represent Anambra Central Senatorial Zone on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She was sworn-in alongside her other victorious colleagues as a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nominated chairman, of the juicy Senate Downstream Petroleum Committee and had already started to turn things around for the better, before those who do not appreciate the supremacy of God to assume that the whole Anambra political imbroglio is entirely man-made, cut her political expedition temporarily short, barely six months on the saddle in the upper legislative chamber.
If the change mantra is anything to go by, then this anomaly against Ekwunife, needs to be corrected urgently since it is man-made.
Having said that, I would like to advise the champions of conquering Anambra “by fire, by force” that the statement was a loose cannon, an outburst that could inflame passion now that the governorship election in the state is very close, especially considering the fact that it was made by opinion leaders.
Besides, Ndi Anambra had between 2003 – 2004, experienced politics of “hate”, “by fire, by force”, and paid the prize with virtually all the notable institutions in the state burnt. Then, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige, as the sitting governor of the state, was subjected to all manner of intimidation, humiliation, including forceful swearing of oath.
At this point in time, Anambra was known as “Home for All”, Home for everything ranging from the absurd, the shameful, the ridiculous, the unimaginable and the lugubrious, based on what was obtained in the state, before His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi’s eight years administration re-positioned Anambra into a state with strong economic base, tackling criminality through effective security networking. He introduced community policing (vigilante) in every community with well equipped Hilux Patrol Vans, in addition to monetary grants to each security outfit in the state. Obi equally began the demolition of properties belonging to known criminals and kidnappers in Anambra State to mention but a few.
Today, Obi’s successor, His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano, has clearly made good his electioneering campaign promises to continue from where his predecessor stopped. It is not in doubt that Anambra is the most peaceful and investor-friendly state, South-East of Nigeria. Umu Anambra, visitors and investors alike, now frequent the Light of the Nation state for ceremonies and business transactions because of adequate security provided by the Obiano administration.
What Ndi Anambra should guard jealously are the good governance, peace and dividends of democracy abounding all over the state. They should abhor any action that will lead them to once again operate on reverse gear. Therefore, the people should open their eyes not to allow intruders to rubbish the efforts of their present leadership.
Ndigbo’s greatest problem has always been the enemy within and lack of patriotism. Among the political defectors to APC of Igbo extraction, only His Excellency, Chief Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK, Olu Ndigbo), Senator Lady, Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) and Hon. Barr. Egwuoyibo Okoye (Ozo Igbonine) are the tested, trusted and confirmed grassroots politicians.
Ifeme writes from Nnewi