By Nwando Okereke

The way some social media handlers of some elected public officers use their platforms to react to every criticism that is not complimentary to their masters, is not good. While some of these Special Advisers on social media do it with good intention, sometimes, it is taken out of control.

Some of the media aides see it as opportunity to begin a damage control so that they could be in the good book of their masters. In most cases some of the issues raised by these critics might be in the interest of the administration if taken in good stride instead of acting on the spur of the moment.    

There is no doubt that some of the critics are speaking truth to power while others are from the opposition; engaging in malicious pillories but a good special adviser deploys these privileges for the  promotion of his master’s achievements in office instead of using the platform to attack or reply tantrums from the opposition.    

It is in the light of this that Governor Willie Obiano’s aides should make a difference ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll by paying more attention to what happens on internet with a view to applying its benefits for the promotion of the activities of the governor.

The governor’s media aides should deploy this important communication technique to unfurl more of Obiano’s achievements in governance via the internet rather than using it to attack the opposition. Those who are in charge of his twitter handle should know how to promote him and the successes he has achieved in the last three and a half years in government and stop using the social media negatively.

Even when the opposition is doing it against the government, they should ignore it and concentrate on how to return the governor for  his second term bid so as to sustain his development efforts. When these aides attack the opponents, indirectly, the governor is the one losing popularity.

This was what happened during the last presidential election in the United States between Donald Trump and Hilary. While Clinton was busy using the internet to attack Trump, Trump was on ground campaigning and selling his manifesto to the electorate.

It is heartwarming to note that Anambra State, which used to be a hotbed of election crisis, has gotten its act together as the buzzword everywhere is, “Willy is working, Awka is next to London.” Even those who had not visited the state in recent time after experiencing the giant stride of the governor, now describe the state as next to London.

From my observation, the mood of the people is bright and favours Obiano. An opinion poll conducted recently showed that there is a consensus of views that; ‘if Obiano was not reelected, the state would slide back in terms of development.  Some of the respondents feel that, of the aspirants in the race to Awka in 2017, none seems to be well grounded like the incumbent governor. One of the respondents said of the aspirants, “I see them as people who are interested in enriching themselves rather than serving the people. 

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For me, I don’t want to go back to the proverbial Egypt because the tenure of Peter Obi marked a watershed in the life of Anambra State and Willie Obiano is the beginning of a new face in the state.”

I feel that the November 18 election, if well conducted, would be a walkover for Obiano. The truth is that Obiano has excelled. Peter Obi equally did well during his tenure. I know that President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for the country but the challenge is on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair in conducting election in Anambra in November 18, 2017.

The coming Anambra poll is a litmus test for Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led electoral body. I’m aware in other countries there are equally election malpractices but Nigeria’s case appears worse. INEC can rebuild its image if it conducts free and fair election in Anambra in 2017 gubernatorial election. 

Obiano should reduce the number of his aides. I know that he is a nice man, who wants to create employment for the youths of the state. I dare say, he has done well in this regard by ensuring that everyone got a job, no matter his senatorial zone or constituency. He should not take the forthcoming election for granted no matter the projects he has executed so far. His being reelected would enable him accomplish his plan for the people of Anambra state.

If he didn’t bring light to the people of the state in his first term; he could do that in his second term. I wish all the aspirants who are interested in the election could step down in the interest of collective development of the state. And those who are behind the continued delay in Anambra central senatorial rerun should note that it is the people that suffer it the most. Anambra central senatorial zone is the only district in Anambra state without a senator. It is only proper and right to allow election to hold in the zone.

Obiano’s resolve to address youth unemployment is praiseworthy. Since he cannot be everywhere, his Commissioner for Rural Development should assist him reach out more to the grassroots. The First Lady, Ebelechukwu Obiano, is doing well with her pet project, Caring Family Enhancement (CAFE), which she has taken to various communities in the state. Her programme of visiting five towns in a day is very commendable. Before the election, she would have visited every town in the State. I charge the villagers to support her husband by voting for him in the forthcoming election. 

Anambra people need a technocrat more than a politician, who can promise much and deliver little. And as former bank executive, he stands out ahead of the politicians. He knows the problems of the state and how to mobilize men and materials to solve them. We all know that banking job is one of the most challenging jobs and more competitive than politics and it is also energy demanding.

And having moved from different spectrum of human endeavor to another before becoming the governor,  Obiano’s government has been replete with  seasoned economic administrators who believe in equity in the distribution of development projects in the state. This attribute differentiates him from others, who are in the race to Awka. At the last count, he has empowered almost all the communities of the state with one project of their choice or another.

Dr. Okereke, founder Wake-Up Call Youth Foundation, writes from Awka