Tag: Anambra 2013

As the campaign for this month’s governorship race in Anambra State ends this week, ahead Saturday’s election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports on the major campaign issues that are likely to swing the votes, plus the candidates’ strong and weak points

The campaigns for this Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State may  be described as one of the shortest and most intriguing since  the return of civil rule in 1999.

Most of the major candidates had barely a month to campaign, partly because of intrigues that trailed their emergence as the candidates and other fundamental factors.

As is usual with the politics of the state, the lists of aspirants in virtually all the major political parties were very long. As a result, the primaries not only witnessed some unhealthy rivalries and unconventional competitive strategies, but were, in the process, over prolonged.

So, by the time the candidates finally emerged, so much bad blood had been created within their political families, thus, not only creating heavy baggages for the candidates but also further weakening the concerned political parties.

The most prolonged of the intrigues was that of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), which only got its candidate on Monday, November 4, precisely 12 days to the date of the election.

The short period of campaign notwithstanding, it turned out to be a well knit series of action-packed drama, full of intrigues, conflicts, verbal arsenals, tragic occurrences, and political carnivals ironically flavoured with colourful dances amidst betrayals and outright blackmails.

Great expectations

It is therefore in the light of these movie-like intrigues, plus the pomp and pageantry, which defined the campaigns, that most observers today anticipate a keenly contested election this Saturday, November 16, 2013.

The Nation investigation shows that as the parties and their candidates wind up their campaigns, the tension generated by the campaign has not died as the electorates are now left with the task of coming to terms with the right candidate and party to give their votes to. “That is the present challenge we all have today. The parties and their candidates have made endless promises, presented in very humble ways, so we are confused. They are all our children, and a a result, it is not easy to make a choice,” said Mazi Ukachukwu Udoka, a community leader in Anambra State.

To resolve this riddle, most of the electorates are wondering which of the political parties holds the answer to the many problems of the people of  state? They are asking which of the candidates in the race has the ‘magic wand’ with which to take the state to the promised land? They are asking so many questions whose answers will ultimately determine the candidate they will cast their votes for.

Given the quality of campaigns, especially the promises made, the expectation is high.

Aware of these great expectations, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) and other concerned stakeholders, we learnt, are not taking chances at all. For example, by late October, we gathered that the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 400 civil society groups, had concluded plans to deploy about 600 election observers to all the 21 local government areas. This precaution, and others are born out of the belief that the outcome of the Anambra State governorship election will, to a very large extent, serve as a sign post to what will likely happen in the 2015 general elections.

Issues that may swing the votes

Our investigation reveals that Anambra State is currently undergoing a crucial state of political rebirth. The state, known to be the den of political godfathers, appears determined to give more attention to issues of concrete and enduring development.

This revolution, spearheaded by a few members of the intellectual elite in the state, has helped to create a kind of division in the overall value system of the electorates. This means that instead of the usual situation, where the factor of money and mafia-like use of raw primitive power would have topped the list of the issues that may swing the votes in this election, it may take a back seat.

The man that can do the job:

So, the most likely factor that may swing the votes in the forth coming Anambra State election is the man that can do the job. The top question on the lips of electorates is, amongst the candidates of the leading political parties, Senator Chris Ngige of All Progressives Congress ( APC); Chief Willie Obiano of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party (LP) and Mr. Tony Nwoye of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who has what it takes to lead Anambra State at a time like this? Who, amongst them have the requisite experience, exposure and charisma to deliver the needed dividends?

Our investigation confirms that most electorates in Anambra State today, including the commoners in the rural areas, have been secretly indoctrinated by the elites to place this factor above other factors, including party loyalty and zoning, which have been previously harped on the media.

This explains why multitude of people trooped out to attend campaign rallies of all the candidates, without discrimination.  The point is that the people wanted to see, hear and personally assess the candidates before making their choice.

If this works out fine, the political party that is fielding the most experienced and popular candidate, in this case the APC, which is fielding Senator Ngige, a former governor, will likely win the election in a free and fair contest.

Politics of issues

Closely linked to the factor of the right candidate is the agenda that is placed on the table. Our investigation shows that as at today, some electorates are somehow confused because virtually all the leading candidates have mouth watering promises.

As Mrs Comfort Chukwudi, a retired matron, puts it, “For now, we are somehow confused because so much have been laid on the table. So much promises have been made. Ngige has, for example, promised free education and to lift the embargo on employment. Ubah has promised to create 40,000 jobs before his first hundred days in office. Obiano has promised to set up free health care policy for children under 10 years, less privileged pregnant women and the elderly above 60, amongst others. So, in terms of promises or ideas, so much have been presented to us and we are interested in them. All we are doing now is to look critically at the candidates and their political parties in order to distinguish between empty promises and genuine resolve to serve Ndi Anambra.”

The political parties

Another factor of appreciable importance is acceptability of the political party and the current state of the said party. If the issue of traditional party loyalty remains potent, Chief Willie Obiano’s ruling party (APGA) and Mr Tony Nwoye’s PDP, which once held sway in the state, will be favoured in that order.

But the problem that may affect the potency of this factor in this election may be the current state of the favoured political parties.

APGA and PDP in the state have been affected lately by internal rifts directly and remotely linked to party leadership and choice of governorship candidate. While APGA first resolved its leadership crisis and made amends, PDP took more time, until the Supreme Court on Monday, November 4, resolved the matter.

This development, according to insiders, gave Ngige’s APC and Ifeanyi Ubah’s Labour Party an opportunity to make appreciable inroads. Sources said the two parties now enjoy wide acceptability in the state.

So, until the election is held and the results are declared, it may be difficult to say which of the parties will finally take advantage of this once number one factor.

The zoning factor

The outgoing state governor, Mr Peter Obi’s open declaration that it is the turn of Anambra North Senatorial District to produce the next governor of the state has formally made zoning a factor in the forth coming election. His party, APGA, in response to this, brought its candidate, Willie Obiano, from the district.

While some reports say many people share the sentiment that the zone deserve to also produce a state governor, this zoning factor appears particularly interesting because out of the four leading participating political parties, two (APGA and PDP) produced their candidates from Anambra North zone, while

APC and Labour Party produced their from Anambra Central and Anambra South respectively.

So, except there is a general consensus, the votes in Anambra North District will most likely be split, thus reducing whatever advantage each of the candidates  may get.

The role of the church:

The church, especially the Catholic Church may play a crucial role in deciding who would occupy Anambra State Government House after Obi. It is clear that all the candidates are aware of this fact and have been falling on each other to please the bishops and their congregations. We hear of mouth watering donations, multi- million Naira church renovations and buildings and the endorsement prayers that follow.

While almost all the candidates are caught in this game, it is not certain if the religious leaders will publicly condemn any of the candidates. This means also that the electoral value of this fact may remain largely intangible until after the elction.

Traditional rulers

Traditional rulers, as the royal fathers, have tremendous influence in their various communities. But like the bishops, the traditional rulers in Anambra State, aware of their role as fathers of all, have been diplomatic enough to bless all that come to them for traditional blessing. This strategy has made it difficult for anyone to quantify what their direct influence would be for or against any of the candidates during the election.

The godfathers are still on ground

Although the effect of ‘godfatherism’ in Anambra State has waned tremendously, we learnt they cannot be totally waved aside. They are still on ground and are being consulted secretly by some of the candidates.

Sources said however that most of them are only being appeased to avoid a situation where they will decide to constitute themselves as obstacles.

How far they can influence votes still remains to be seen on Saturday.

Leaders of Idemili North and South Local Government Councils, under the umbrella of Nzuko Imeobi, a socio cultural organisation, will this weekend continue their meetings with political parties and their candidates as part of the consultations that will finally lead to the endorsement of a candidate, who, according to the group, “will carry the banner and represent the interests of the two local councils.”

At least, they will hold discussions with three political parties this weekend where the leaders, according to the group, will present them with the expectations of the people. Last week, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by its National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Willy Obiano, had met with the Idemili leaders in Ogidi, where the people’s Charter of Demands was read and presented to them.

At the meeting, which was held in the residence of the Leader of the Nzuko Imeobi, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Umeh hailed the uniqueness of the document and noted that Idemili had always been a difficult terrain for APGA and that the party was looking forward to a fruitful working relationship with the leaders. Obiano promised to study the demands as he requested for the endorsement of the body.

In an interview on Thursday, Okonkwo explained that, “we can only endorse a candidate at the end of our consultations. We are being careful about the endorsement now because we want to pick someone who will not only deliver on the Charter, but will be generally acceptable to the people. We have to go through this process because of what is at stake. We are meeting the candidates who have indicated interest to see us based on our recognized strengths, values and what will benefit the people. The voting population of the two councils is the largest in the state, and we are not unmindful of that.

“During the 2013 Idemili celebration, we wrote to all the governorship candidates, inviting them to make an appearance. Only three parties, APGA, Labour Party (LP) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) met the terms outlined by the communities and had a presence at the venue.

“Incidentally, the cultural event, which was to raise N150 million for the building of a skill acquisition centre was nearly turned into a mini political rally, but we insist that none of candidates got the nod of the Idemili people. We are still talking. We appreciate the involvement of even the parties and their candidates in the consultations. This is the hallmark of grassroots and participatory democracy for the benefit of Anambra.”

As the November governorship election in Anambra State draws closer, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, unveils the intriguing politics that informed the choice of the running mates for some of the frontline candidates.

Long before the primaries and the emergence of the governorship candidates in Anambra State’s 2013 elections, the politics of choosing ‘the right’ running mates took the front burner, for strategic reasons.

Our investigation shows that the interest in who becomes the governorship running mate in virtually all the participating political parties was much more pronounced than what usually obtains in Nigeria, where the task of choosing who would be pairing with candidates as running mates is principally considered as the exclusive game of party leaders and financiers. At best, such candidates are usually chosen, largely for power balance. In Anambra 2013 governorship race, it seems the stake is even higher.

We gathered that local stakeholders, including development unions of virtually all communities, community leaders, traditional rulers and economic elites got involved in making these choices, thus further complicating the matter for top political godfathers in the state. This interest, according to our findings, make most of the running mates of the frontline governorship candidates arguably independent, powerful and strategic, having emerged largely because of considerations outside the direct influence and choice of the governorship candidates. This development may, in the short run, boost electoral value for the parties, but in a way, it may also pose a major challenge after elections, when the main task of governance commences.

The beginning:

The intensity of the politics of running mate for the forthcoming elections in Anambra State first became public knowledge when Anambra North, after holding several strategic meetings at home and in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, openly warned their people not to accept to be campaign coordinators or deputies for candidates from Anambra South and Central. The senatorial zone, which is yet to produce an elected governor for the state, argued that they would not accept the position of deputy governor, pointing out that it is their turn to produce the governor.

It was this open declaration by Anambra North,  strengthened by the near hundred percent obedience of the instruction by the political actors from the zone, irrespective of their political inclinations, that painted the search for running mates with such striking colours.

A grassroots politician from Anambra North, Chief Udochukwu Uzochukwu, told The Nation that his people consider the issue as “very primary to our political survival, hence the cult-like adherence to the order. We deserve to produce the governor, not his deputy. That is our message,” he said.

As a result of this position, most of the leading political parties, including those fielding candidates from Anambra South and Anambra Central Senatorial zones, had to field running mates outside of Anambra North.

The ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which is fielding a governorship candidate from Anambra North, in the person of Chief Willie Obiano, is fielding Dr. Nkem Okeke, ***from Enugwu Ukwu in Anambra Central.

There are indications that All Progressives Congress’ candidate, Senator Chris Ngige, who is from Anambra Central, may choose his deputy from Anambra South.

Labour Party’s Ifeanyi Ubah is pairing with Dr. Emeka Eze from Ukpo, Dunukofia in Anambra Central.

Having emerged as running mates of the governorship candidates, concerned stakeholders, aware of the intrigues behind their successes, are interested in the electoral values they are likely to add to their parties on November 16.

APGA’s Nkem Okeke

Dr. Nkem Okeke, former Commissioner of Economic Planning in Governor Peter Obi’s cabinet during his first term, is a university lecturer and one time Head of the Department of Economics at Nnamdi Azikiwe Universty, Awka.

Considered as a political loyalist of APGA’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, who, insiders alleged was behind his choice, Okeke, who has worked closely under Obi’s economic team, is considered as an excellent bridge between the governor and Umeh.

We gathered that Okeke may not have been in the picture ab initio, but in the course of the recent reconciliation between Obi and Umeh, he emerged as the bridge for strategic political balance.

As a kind of consensus candidate, Okeke’s  electoral value, according to inside sources seem very formidable, both politically and otherwise. A source, who described himself as an associate of former governorship aspirant, Hon Ekwunife, said, “ Since Hon. Ekwunife was not given the ticket, the choice of Okeke, to us, is strategic. We do not have anything against it. Politically, it cannot be faulted, given the circumstances.

Aside political considerations, we gathered that some intellectual elites in the state said Okeke’s background as an economist, combining with an accountant governor, will help sustain Governor Peter Obi’s economic policies and developments in some key areas like education, economic planning and investment.

APC’s Raphael Okeke

The search for the running mate of Senator Chris Ngige of All Progressives Grand Alliance was also very intriguing. Earlier reports said no fewer than 40 persons were at a time jostling for the running mate position of the APC.

One of the top aides of Ngige, Chibuzor Obiakor, was before the primaries quoted in one report as saying,”it is normal for people to come and make case for the position of running mate. But that is not what we are after now. We are faced with the primary election of the party and not who would be the running mate of the party.”

With the emergence of Hon. Raphael Okeke as the running mate to Ngige in the November 16, 2013 governorship election, we gathered that the leading opposition party is now set for the election.

Okeke is not a newcomer in the game of politics in Anambra State and is therefore considered an important electoral asset for APC.

Aside the fact that he served as the member, representing Anambra East and West constituency at the House of Representatives, Okeke is rated as an experienced grassroots politician. Okeke, who hails from Nzam, in Anambra West, had served twice as the Local Government Chairman of Anambra West.

Pairing with the former governor of the state, Dr Chris Ngige, the team is considered very solid, especially because of their experience and track records.

Labour’s Emeka Eze

In Labour Party, the search for Ifeanyi Ubah’s running mate was also intriguing. Inside sources confirmed that the initial plan may have been to chose the running mate from Anambra North since Ubah is from the South.

But following the insistence of some political leaders of the zone not to give the running mate’s option any chance, the party had to look elsewhere.

Initially, it was feared that the choice of Ubah’s running mate may jolt the party, given alleged varied interests and exclusion of Anambra North.

But it seems when the choice was finally narrowed to Dr. Emeka Eze, a prince from Ukpo dynasty of Dunukofia in Anambra Central Senatorial District and a close relation of political godfather, Chief Arthur Eze, the alleged varied interests in the party felt satisfied.

Eze, a medial doctor and nephew of Prince Arthur Eze, has some traditional influence, being the son of late Igwe of his community, HRH (Dr.) Walter Eze, the founder and owner of Toronto Hospital in Onitsha.

Besides, Prince Eze is not a newcomer in the game of politics in Anambra State. Barely 47, Eze, who was born in 1966, contested for the last PDP House of Representative Member in Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha Federal Constituency, Anambra State Nigeria.

Given his late father’s influence as a successful medical practitioner in Onitsha, Prince Eze is considered a political asset in the area. Besides, Prince Arthur Eze’s influence across Anambra State’s political theatre may also be exploited by the young scion of the political dynasty.

In PDP, it’s still a waiting game

Until the legal tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), over it’s governorship candidate, is finally resolved, the issue of the who would finally vie as running mate remains somehow suppressed though interested stakeholders, according to a source, have not given up but are now operating underground ahead the final resolution of the crisis.

It would be recalled that Senator Andy Uba,  Mr. Tony Nwoye and Prince Nicholas Ukadike are laying claims to the position of PDP’s flag bearer.

At the height of the crisis, the Ejike Oguebego faction of PDP in the state produced Senator Uba as its governorship candidate, while the other faction, led by Prince Ken Emeakayi, recognised by the PDP NWC, presented Nwoye. That was not all as a rival governorship aspirant on the Emeakayi faction, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, approached a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt division, where he secured an injunction against Nwoye and PDP. Since then, the series of legal battles have continued even as the underground battle for running mate seems to have been suppressed publicly for the time being.

Governorship candidates are frantically preparing for the November 16  election in Anambra State. AUGUSTINE AVWODE writes on the rising profile of  the All Progressivess Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Chris Ngige.

It is 43 days to the November 16 Governorship election in Anambra State. Expectedly, candidates and political parties are working round the clock to win the election. Last week, two different but related events took place in respect of the election. First, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the names of the 23 governorship candidates and their deputies. Second, there was the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate’s Campaign Committee, in Akwa. The first served as impetus for the second. And indications are that since the inauguration of the committee, the APC candidate, Dr Chris Ngige has moved into the fast lane.

According to reliable sources, on the day of the inauguration, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is heading the Campaign Committee, set the tone for the day’s proceedings. At the Emmaus House venue of the inauguration in Akwa, Okorocha declared that Ngige was in the race for the sake of the people of the state.

Hear him: “Ngige is in this race because of the masses of Anambra State. Whatever Ngige has is for Anambra people. Choose him; he has governed in this capacity in the past and you all felt his impact, he can do it all over again. He has no control from Abuja.”

In apparent reference to 2003, when Ngige first ruled that state, Okorocha said the senator, who represents Anambra Central, is poised to finish the job he started before.

“He is tested and trusted. ‘Onwa’ is the governor. Ngige is coming back to finish the work he has started. There were good roads and low school fees for tertiary institution students when Ngige was in power, Ngige will give the people free education, qualitative healthcare, water supply, employment, security and other necessities that make life comfortable, if elected into Government House”, Okorocha said.

Earlier, Okorocha had taken full advantage of the occasion as he rode with Ngige to the venue. The Imo State governor stopped at the most popular market in the city, Ekeoawka, on their way to Emmaus House. The sight of Ngige and Okorocha elicited instant joy from the people with shouts of “Onwa! Onwa!! Onwa!!!.” It is Ngige’s nickname, which means the Moon, in Igbo language.

The presence of Governor Okorocha, standing side by side with Ngige, sent the traders into joyous mood. He addressed the crowd, who had abandoned their businesses to catch a glimpse of the two men. They eventually heard what an insider described as ‘a highly motivating speech’. They were received at the venue with a loud ovation by stakeholders, who were waiting with songs.

After the national anthem, Okorocha, who, was already in high spirit and elated, charged all to call Ngige the next governor of Anambra State. In his words: “If Ngige is a candidate, you will not see me here. If anyone is saying anything, it should be we are parking into Government House. It is a prayer. Once it is said, it is bound. Just say it and heaven will hear it.”

Speaking to The Nation, Ngige’s Media Consultant, Clementina Olomu, said Governor Okorocha’s “prayer” literally charged the atmosphere, creating a special reawaking of the inner self of those present”.

According to her, Okorocha was never in short of superlative adjectives to describe Ngige. “Ngige’s name is a poster. It needs no introduction. He is someone the people already know. He is the long-awaited governor of Anambra State. Ngige’s name is synonymous with development and is infectious to bad things. “The truth is, if I do not find him worthy, I will not be here. God blessed him tremendously. Anything that concerns Ngige is about Igbo people. Once he becomes the governor, no one will control him from Abuja to take the resources of the people of Anambra”.

Okorocha blames Abuja for the woes that have befallen the state. He expressed confidence in the ability of Ngige to hold his own and resist being dictated to.

“The whole confusion in Anambra is from Abuja. In the history of Anambra, the politics has been controlled from Abuja. It is papa says this or that. Ngige is an Igbo man, he cannot be dictated to anyhow. The whole masses are with him and he is in contact with the people. I look at all the things happening in Anambra and asked myself, what is happening here?

There was a deafening roar when he announced that: “I am the leader of the campaign and I want to build what is known as the world commanders. I will see where they will come from. Is it money? Is it contact? Or is it power? The Egyptians you see today, you will see no more”, the people responded with a thunderous, amen!

Feelers from the state indicate that the Ngige phenomenon is spreading like wild fire. The Nation learnt that “Onwa”, is on the lips of everybody in the state now. Olomu explained that the name was given to Ngige in Alor, his hometown, in 1990, when he donated a transformer that lightened the whole community. Igwe Okonkwo, then called him “Onwamegilora,” meaning “the moon that disperses darkness”. It was the beginning of the spread of the ‘light’ to the entire people of Anambra State.

From all indications, “Onwa” is the candidate to watch-out for as the November 16 election draws near. At every political gathering or meeting, and even in the church, the shouts of “Onwa” is never in short supply. Analysts often point to his legacies both as a medical doctor and a senator as people oriented and people centred. For the people of Anambra Central, his senatorial constituency, they just love and appreciate his work.

A community leader from Alor, who craved anonymity, told The Nation that Ngige is the man to beat in the election. He said “a visit to Onwa is a promise fulfilled. Most times, it leads to another promise. He never stops making promises, fulfilling all as scheduled. Some of the promises and fulfillments go beyond the constituency he represents. They involve the entire people in Anambra. Since their expectations are high, he tries to fulfill all. To him, no sacrifice is too small because he cannot watch them go the same way they came.

“His past and present legacies, both as governor and senator are glaring. For those who benefited from his administration, either in employment, scholarship or empowerment, it was like yesterday. For those still benefiting, it is a dream come true; hence, they always tell him that he is a good man, a God-sent to the people”.

Asked to name any past legacy of Ngige that will motivate the people to vote for him, Olomu, said some of his legacies have not been met, let alone beaten by any administration. “A tour of Anambra State tells the untold story. As governor, he employed qualified medical personnel and strengthened the staff to meet the challenges of the health sector. This is because he believes every life is important, irrespective of financial status. This is to the exclusion of putting policies that guaranteed safety in place, such as the construction of roads and maintenance of existing ones, which stood the test of time. The roads have been acknowledged by the opposition in their political campaign as his greatest achievement while in office.

“The education sector did not suffer any setback. Ngige understands the language of teachers. He did not only make them comfortable but also provided conducive environment for students. He sacrificed all – his time, money and others despite the challenges he went through to liberate his people from the hands of political godfathers.

“That period almost brought the state to a standstill as lives and properties worth billions of naira were destroyed in what could be described as the greatest uprising in the history of the state. Though the people counted their losses, they all moved forward.

“ These memories still linger on and that is why they trust him more than ever and more passionately than any other candidate”.

A chieftain of the APC in the state, Chief Edwin Chinaka said the party must be applauded for picking a man who is seen generally as the darling of the people in the state. He appealed to indigenes of the state to match their words with action on November 16. He said it was time for the people of the state to show that they are ready to join the league of the big states which the APC states represent.

“As a senator, I can tell you that he is the people’s senator. He has always stood by them; provided jobs for 62 people, supplied motorised borehole with overhead tanks and generating sets in 10 locations in Anambra Central District. In the area of education, he constructed and renovated dormitories and primary schools in seven locations; constructed health centre in Umuezeani in Alor and provided an ICT Civic Centre in Alor.

“He also provided solar streetlights in Ogidi Barracks, Anambra Command, Idemili North; same at Ojoto in Idemili South and for the Central Police Station in Awka. He upgraded and reinforced 15 numbers of 300KVA transformers in Idemili North and South, including five towns in Awka; carried out rehabilitation works in five towns in Awka.

He added that some of his millennium goal projects include provision of primary healthcare centre, electricity, water and education in strategic places within the district.

The Nation learnt that at social events, Ngige enjoys exceptional rousing welcome. When he went to Nnokwa for the burial ceremony of Reverend Father Basil’s mother, the late Madam Virginia Gbuzue, it turned out to be a show stopper. As soon as the people in Nnokwa saw him, they followed him, while the band on ground sang his praises for his good works in the community. Among those who followed him said they did out of their free volition as a sign of appreciation of all the sacrifices he made in the past as a governor and senator. Father Basil later said the development is a reflection of the fact that Ngige is in touch with the people.

As a special guest at a retreat organised by the Knight and Ladies of All Saints Anglican Church in Irefi-Oraife, Okwusibo Local Government Area, he was honoured with the title of a Knight. Ngige then used the opportunity to respond to questions relating to issues affecting the state. He assured the people that he would do everything possible to ensure their security and welfare.

“I will ensure that lives and properties are protected, irrespective of who you are, your religion and belief. As long as you reside in Anambra and you are an indigene, you are safe. Our children will no longer be sent away from school because of school fees.

“I want to say right here, that I will give them free education. Teachers will no longer go on strike. I was and will remain their best friend because I understand their language. Our children will no longer be out of jobs, they will acquire a skill in addition to their certificate, which will enable them to have income even as young graduates.”

All over the world, labour groups have the knack for championing the cause of workers and by extension, the masses. In Nigeria, the trend is the same. However, as rightly expected, labour leaders have become objects of attack by forces that consider them impediments to the realisation of their selfish interests.

Over the years, political wolves infiltrated the ranks of labour groups with the aim of creating divisions and rendering the once vibrant groups otiose. At a time, it appeared that leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour groups were fifth columnists serving as the mouth piece of government rather than championing the cause of workers. However, in spite of the ill-wind that blew some of the groups underground, the NLC has risen from the dust to produce leaders who have gone ahead to hold elective positions in government without being subservient.

For sometime now, the NLC has remained committed to finding credible leaders who will liberate workers and the masses from the strangle-hold of an unjust system that has kept them completely impoverished. One of the ways the NLC achieved this feat was by jumping into the murky waters of politics by forming the Labour Party.  The thinking is that except it takes part in governance, power will always be left in the hands of tyrants whose major objective is to muscle and emasculate the masses for selfish ends.

The Labour Party platform has produced the likes of Olusegun Mimiko, the Governor of Ondo State, who, despite the forces reined against him, emerged victorious in the last two governorship elections in Ondo State. With his emergence, the party has continued to search for young men with vision to run for elective office as a way of positively transforming Nigeria.

It was not surprising, therefore, that the NLC endorsed Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Anambra State governorship election slated for November 16, 2013. At the inauguration of the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State at Onitsha last Thursday, the NLC delegation publicly endorsed Ubah. The group, led by its leader in Anambra State, said no governorship candidate had ever given labour the kind of recognition Ubah has extended to its members. The group said he personally came to invite them to his kick-off rally.

The NLC also said it was touched by Ubah’s humility, “which suggested that he did not come to play politics with labour, even though he had every opportunity to do so.” The leader of the NLC said that Ubah promised to build for them a befitting secretariat in Awka, whether he wins the election or not on November 16, 2013. Of course, moved by this degree of commitment to its cause, without sounding political, the group decided to throw in everything to support Ubah.

Political analysts in the state and even beyond have since begun to make postulations on how the November 16 elections will go, given this development.

Chika Ezeh, a lawyer, said the wide-spread endorsements Ifeanyi Ubah has gotten within a short time in the state is unprecedented. He said from information at this disposal, these endorsements come genuinely from the heart of the people whom Ubah has touched their lives with his patriotic acts.

Mr. Nnamdi Ezeugo, a teacher, said although he belonged to another party, Ubah has set a record that no gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State could match. “I think Ubah is the man to beat, and there is no doubt about this,” he said. As if to buttress Ezeugo’s position on Ubah, many traditional rulers graced his rally. Agulu people from the home of the incumbent governor, Peter Obi, led by Ichie Christopher Dilinye and Ichie Julius Ilo, said their presence at the opening rally of Ifeanyi Ubah’s campaign is their endorsement of the Labour Party candidate.

The President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Comrade Yinka Gbadebo, together with Wole Ajani, National President Youth Council of Nigeria came to show solidarity with Ubah at the kick-off campaign rally. They said “for the first time, the youth will come out en masse to vote a gubernatorial candidate in Anambra, this time, Ubah.” According to them “nobody has ever championed the cause of youths in Nigeria like Ifeanyi Ubah.”

Given these endorsements from various stakeholders and groups, Ubah’s associates and some other analysts are contending that barring any biased supervision or rigging of the election, he will most likely win the November 16, Anambra State governorship election with a landslide.

There is no doubt that it would be a Herculean task wrestling the Ananbra State governorship seat from whomsoever Mr. Peter Obi decides to support in the November 2013 governorship election in the state. This has to do with the awesome “power of incumbency” at the disposal of Obi as the sitting governor of Anambra State. In Nigeria, “power of incumbency” has, unfortunately, come to mean the ability of a sitting president or governor to manipulate state institutions (electoral and security) to rig elections.

The story is there in the streets that the powers-that-be in Anambra State may deploy the state resources at their disposal to influence electoral and security institutions to do their bidding in the November 2013 governorship election.

It is equally believed, rightly or wrongly, that Obi, as an ardent supporter of Mr. President in the Southeast geo-political zone, may manipulate the services of the police, which in normal times behave as if the loyalty of their men is to a sitting president rather than the nation, to achieve his intended goal of anointing his successor to the seat of Government House Awka. Of course, whether these political god-fathers will succeed in their alleged grand design for the November 2013 governorship election will depend on whether the people will allow them manipulate the state institutions and resources to determine the outcome of the forthcoming electoral contest.

However, it seems the main obstacle to the realisation of the gubernatorial ambition of whomsoever becomes the anointed candidate of Mr. Peter Obi in the 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State is the publicly declared interest of Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the Chairman of  Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd, in the race. This is because most people resident in Anambra State believe that  Ubah is the candidate to beat in the electoral contest. They hinge their position on a recent development where almost all the members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, most traditional rulers, presidents- general of town unions, including the main influential stakeholders in the affairs of Anambra State that cut across political persuasions, abandoned a state-sponsored tree-planting exercise by Obi to attend the wedding ceremony of Ubah’s younger sister in far away Lagos. Other reasons why the most important stakeholders in the politics of Anambra State snubbed  Obi, a sitting governor, are not far-fetched.

Most women in Anambra State who are likely to vote in the election are said to be rooting for Ubah because his Kero-Direct Scheme ensures they buy kerosene at the subsidised price of N50 per litre. Majority of Okada and Keke NAPEP transporters are said to be behind Ubah because he has been supplying them free fuel for their business concerns every Monday of the week for the last five years. In fact, traders, who arguably constitute the largest segment of the voting population in Anambra State, see Ubah as their unassailable choice for the tenancy of the Government House, Awka, in 2014, because of the many life-saving assistance and philanthropic gestures he has extended to them over the years.

Now, if these traders, women, students, artisans, farmers, transporters, etc, chose to defy Obi during the governorship election, could they be a grimmer nightmare?

As a matter of fact, most people (teachers, professionals, workers, etc) are said to see Ubah as the only man with the demonstrated capacity to embark on the industrialisation of Anambra State, as well as developing its crude oil resources for the employment and empowerment of the teeming idle hands in the state’s labour market.

Interestingly, the living representative of the late Eze Gburugburu of Ndi-Igbo, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, has this to say about Ifeanyi Ubah : “I see in Ifeanyi Ubah, hope for Anambra State. To have an idea of what a man is capable of doing, one has to look at his antecedents. This is a man who, by any measure, has been immensely successful in business, a man who is a philanthropist and a man, who has dedicated himself to addressing the needs of the downtrodden.

With living testimonies on how sitting governors rig elections for their anointed candidates at the disposal of the teeming masses of Anambra State, it may well-nigh be difficult for Obi to stream-roll his preferred candidate in the election into Government House, Awka.

In fact, with the determination of many civil society organisations to discreetly monitor the activities of INEC, the police, SSS, Peter Obi’s government functionaries, including the judiciary, to ensure that no rigging takes place during the November 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, it is clear to all and sundry that any annointee of Governor Obi will depend only on the people’s votes to win or loose. This being the case, such an aspirant will only be a non starter in the presence of grassroots philanthropist like Ubah.

– Mr. Nkemjika is a research writer and media consultant.