Anambra 2017: Cutting Off Our Nose To Spite Our Face, By Nnenna Obiano

The just concluded Anambra State election really was not an election as much as it was a referendum on Peter Obi. It was an opportunity for all who had grievances to air them and take revenge as the case maybe.

The incumbent administration must be commended its election sstrategy.

The incumbent governor was so obsessed and focused on Obi, nothing else mattered. He was prepared to outspend Obi and he did. He had to do anything Obi had done and more. At the end of the election, he ” won” ,so much so he had all believe he won all 21 local governments.

“Yes! Finally I have bested Obi and have won” but at what cost? Empty states coffers which cannot be hidden forever, struggle to govern a states when all the saved funds have been squandered ensuring Anambra rejoined the list of indebted states.

The positive of the win though is the survival now of the party. The party has been given a new lease of life and it is hoped it can yield more successes though the funding of the party is dependent on the state finances .

The question one asks is how much of the decision was based on the truth and what was best for their congregation? How much of the propaganda did they know were lies but went along with it.? How much of what the incumbent administration said were pure fabrication which could be proven and was proven did they turn a blind eye to?

What was the motivation? Greed,maybe not as much. Malice and revenge (which are sins by the way ) towards Obi? Sticking it to Peter Obi seemed to be the mantra.

It is hoped that they can make restitution to their congregation when the time comes and things go south! We hope they don’t.

A lot of these elites will openly tell you,they know the incumbent is incompetent and has done nothing but the joy of beating Peter Obi trumps all consideration especially when they get paid doing it. It is expected that they will prevail on the incumbent administration to fulfill some promises . If that does not happen,we will all pay the price.

As far as Peter Obi is concerned , he maybe down now but certainly not out. Let’s remember that the administration has but four years and it seems to go by quickly. One never knows who is coming next and in this business, revenge is best served as a cold dish!

For Peter Obi,it is a bitter pill to swallow. The very state he gave his all to have now turned against him. The successor he brought in has made life uncomfortable for him. The elites who flocked around him have turned their backs on him.

Finally, the church he empowered have used that same power against him. The good news is that he has 4 years to plot his next move. Thankfully, he does not have to worry about finances being independently wealthy. Those who think he is down and out do not know him well. I doubt we have heard the last of him. It has been said that he is very patient when plotting revenge so all who rejoice may have cause to worry later. As for the governor, I doubt we have heard the last of that 7.5 billion. I hope he has it saved somewhere as he will probably have to pay it someday .

For the electorate,my heart goes out to them as they never really mattered in all of this. The suffering continues.

Nnenna Obiano a Political Scientist and Social Commentator writes from Nsugbe.