Elusive Truth about the political Tension in Anambra State; Peter Obi’s Capitalism versus Victor Umeh’s Emperorism…By Okeke Godwin Iyke

For the past few weeks, Former Governor Peter Obi’s defection to ruling PDP has generated a lot of debate both in social and print media. My account is not to demystify or massage anyone’s ego but the bitter truth must be told for posterity to judge us better.

The battle started in 2002/3 after Anambra state was bankrupted by Chinwoke Mbadinuju of PDP for four years. The prolonged strike by all the institutions and agencies in Anambra state courtesy of battle for control of state resources between Mbadinuju and his godfather Sir Emeka Ofor, made Peter Obi’s entry into Anambra politics an easy one. His entrance slogan “are we cursed or are we the cause” became a bride for every man and woman desperate for change. Not only the slogan, his strong Catholic background and business antecedent coupled with the unpronounced sentiment that the Catholic Church has not produced any governor in Anambra state made him the best brand. There was also unconfirmed report that Dr. Alex Ekwueme who was also contesting for Presidential seat doesn’t want a Catholic Governor in Anambra State thereby making the entire laity of the Catholic Church to endorse Obi. All these factors led to massive support for Peter Obi’s APGA and Anambra witnessed the highest turn out of voters in 2003 to deliver Peter Obi.

The rigging of the election and declaration of Dr. Chris Ngige of PDP as the Governor-elect elicited a post-election violence in my constituency. The PDP supporters led by Chris Uba deployed battalion of soldiers to displace APGA supporters who stood firm to defend their vote. Scores of members sustained degree of injuries while some APGA leaders went into exile because PDP were hunting for them. As I write, no single APGA state or National officer has consoled those families not even a thank you visit. These are men and women that risked their life to defend Peter Obi’s mandate, PDP exiled them and today, they are politically heartbroken.

The delay in justice and subsequent achievement and resilience of Dr. Chris Ngige earned him a sympathy support. The massive infrastructure and road construction by Ngige despite distraction from President Obasanjo and Ubah family attracted a massive goodwill for him. Even the Catholic Bishops that rejected his candidacy invited him and prayed for him. There was massive apathy for Peter Obi’s case at the tribunal and there was popular demand that he should allow Ngige to continue. 33 months at the tribunal is not a child’s play and Peter Obi emerged victorious at last. Peter Obi faced a hostile state house of Assembly and he was later impeached. His re-instatement and subsequent removal of Andy Ubah by Supreme Court paved way for Obi’s smooth take off as Governor.

Peter Obi’s first term was not an easy one. Most of his supporters has decamped to PDP and there was APGA leadership crisis between Chekwas Okorie and Victor Umeh. Obi went as far as naming all the roads he constructed because he lacks peoples goodwill and people doubt his achievements. The inscription “this road is constructed by Peter Obi” was common in all the roads he constructed.

While Obi did everything to attract legitimacy and goodwill, he left APGA and her teaming supporters. APGA was bleeding. No single member of APGA was happy and they were all advised to be patient for the governor to stabilize. After Obi’s first term, he was re-elected on APGA platform and yet he shows indifference to the leadership crisis and care less about his grass root supporters. Chekwas pointed accusing fingers at Obi as the key sponsor of the party leadership crisis. Sooner than later, the key financiers of Obi second term including Mr ifeanyi Ubah Started having trust issues with him. He reneged from conducting Local Government election in other to empower APGA at grass root. He starved APGA leaders of fund to run the party. APGA was operating like a party divorced by her groom Peter Obi.

Though Umeh is more of an emperor in APGA, Peter Obi refused to build and expand the party. No single thank you visit to grass root members. No sensitization or mobilization of new members, no attempt to settle any of the impending leadership crisis/court cases. This is unlike a party leader. He abandoned the platform that delivered him as a governor

As Peter Obi approaches the end of his second tenure, Victor Umeh felt that he need to speak out rather than keeping silent. Obi deployed his uncle Nwobu Alor and started calling for Umeh’s head. Umeh was demonized by Obi’s men and when they knew that Umeh is holding his seat tight, they factionalized APGA. Obi started calling for APGA caucus meeting he felt indifference not to attend for eight years as governor. He drafted Chief Maxi Okwu who was expelled along with Mr Chekwas Okorie and made him APGA Acting National Chairman. He hurriedly sponsored APGA national convention and Maxi Okwu and other appointed NEC members position was ratified. As Obi was intimidating Obi using his power as state Governor, Umeh started running from house to house for safety. Later, he found safety in the arms of Professor Charles Soludo who was interested in state Governorship race. Soludo’s attempt to reconcile Obi with Umeh before the election led to his betrayal by both Umeh and Obi. Soludo was the sacrificial lamb. Obi and Umeh reconciled and Obi abandoned Chief Maxi Okwu while Umeh abandoned Soludo that initiated the reconciliation.

Soludo’s disqualification was an order from Presidency cemented by Obi. Abandonment of Maxi Okwu triggered litigation and Obi kept mute again.

Obiano won the election and Obi conducted LGA election and employed almost 6000 workers in the state civil service. This employment increased the state wage bill and there was decrease from federal allocation to the state. Obi also flagged off many projects at the eve of his departure.

Chief Umeh doesn’t want the repetition of what APGA suffered under Obi and there was a supremacy battle over who will control the state Governor. Umeh won the Obiano battle and Obi moved to PDP and heaven was let lose.

It is pertinent to note that APGA did not suspend Obi nor discipline him for any offence. All his privileges were accorded to him. He was even promoted as APGA leader in place of incumbent governor Obiano. Due to his business interest, Obi abandoned APGA rather than reconciling all factions and seek for constitutional way of retiring Umeh.

Therefore having laid a foundation of the crisis, each actor has a moral question to answer:

• Can Peter boast that he built APGA during his 8 year tenure?
• Did he make any attempt to tour the south east to sensitize people to join APGA?
• Has Peter obi visited any other state in Nigeria to either support or endorse any APGA member aspiring for any position?
• Why did peter obi wait for 8 Years before he conducted LGA 2months to his exit date?
• Why wait for 8 years before he chose to employ over 6000 workers? Can all his savings offset their wages?
• Why didn’t Peter Obi mobilize his successor and other APGA stakeholders to address the issue of Maxi Okwu and Umeh?
• Why should Peter Obi move to PDP on his own without convincing any of his followers including his successor? Is he trying to make his followers enemies of Mr. President?
• Did Obi make any attempt to convince APGA members to join him to PDP as a statesman?
• Why did he leave Bianca Ojukwu behind before porting to PDP?
• Why desperate award of contracts worth billions at the eve of expiration of his tenure?
• Did Obi placed APGA first in his relationship with Jonathan or his future political cum business interest?
• Why should Obi start to distract his successor knowing full well the effect of such distraction on governance? Is he trying to make himself the only governor that performed well?
• Jonathan won in Anambra state with over one million votes while Obi was in APGA, why didn’t Obi support him from APGA as he did in 2011? Must he join PDP to support Jonathan after APGA has adopted him as their presidential candidate?

Going over to Victor Umeh,

• Why should Umeh not pay the ultimate price and resign before contesting for senate?
• How can Umeh screen himself as a candidate and as Chairman of the Party?
• Is it moral to screen your fellow contestants aspiring for the same senate seat on APGA platform?
• Why is Umeh afraid of credible and transparent primaries if he is called by his people?

As for Obiano, though nobody has the moral right to blame you considering your short stay in power, it is also a fact that both tribunal cases and APGA crisis is distracting your development programmes. You must remain focus and seek for way of consulting Chief Maxi Okwu to settle every pending case out of court.

The persecutors of Obiano based their argument on the simple fact that he is supporting Umeh but Peter Obi was the one to blame for Umeh’s excesses. He has the clout and resources to retire Umeh honorably but he chose to do otherwise.

Finally, those calling for Umehs head should be bold enough to confront him with facts rather than sentiment. Obasanjo resigned from active membership of PDP on moral ground. He did not decamp despite not being recognized by PDP leadership……….

To be continued

Ike.okeke@yahoo.co.uk

@comradop

Stay updated with Abusidiqu.com, in partnership with NIGERIANEWSBEAT.  Follow us on TWITTER or be our fan on FACEBOOK

Do not hesitate to leave your opinion in the comment section below.

To contact Abusidiqu.com for Article Submission and Advertisement or General inquiry, send a mail to info@abusidiqu.com