As Anambra State warms up for the November 18 governorship election, Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU examines the strengths and weakenesses of candidates on the platform of major political parties.
All is set for the governorship election in Anambra State. The poll holds on November 18.
The political parties have concluded their primaries and candidates have emerged to slug it out with Governor Willie Obiano.
The smaller parties have also lined up their candidates to do battle with the big ones.
During the primary conducted on September 2, as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obiano became the flag bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
However, Obiano’s candidature is still contentious, following the claim by one Igwebuike Hygers, who allegedly emerged from the primary of a faction of the party conducted by Chief Martin Agbaso at Ezira in Orumba South local government area.
Other parties with solid candidates are, the All Progressive Congress (APC) with Dr Tony Nwoye as its candidate and Mr. Godwin Ezeemo of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA).
Also, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate is Mr Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary to Government (SSG), while Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, is running on the platform of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
Some of the aspirants who lost the tickets of their respective parties are still kicking, vowing not to support the winners.
Smaller parties trying to make a mark include the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) with Sam Oraegbunam as its candidate and Independent Democrats (ID) with Franklin Ndife as its candidate.
From the All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP) comes Felix Nwaezi. Oby Kate Okafor represents Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD). Oluchi Opara, a journalists with the African Independent Television (AIT), is flying the flag of the Labour Party (LP).
Ifeanyi Okonkwo who was disenchanted with what happened in (UPP), found favour in Action Democratic Party (ADP).
The interesting aspect of the contest is that two women are flying the flags of their parties; (ACD) and (LP).
The purported primary that brought the LP candidate at the Trig Point Hotel is still raising dusts as some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party are yet to come to terms with the exercise.
Some of them who spoke with The Nation claimed that there was no primary in the first place, adding that what the National Chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Abulsalam, did was to address a press conference where a candidate was announced.
One good thing about elections in Anambra is that politicians do not kill themselves the way it happens in other states; rather, they use propaganda to weaken opponents. They harass and intimidate their opponents.
Despite the governor’s performance, his rivals do not agree with what he has done. They believe that his best is not good enough.
However, the major contenders for the converted seat are Nwoye of the APC, Obaze of PDP, Obiano of APGA and Ezeemo of PPA.
Others are mere pretenders, who have either come to spoil the fun for some candidates or waiting for settlements.
Some of the political parties, which have chosen their candidates, are likely to collapse their structures into others as they are stooges of the major contenders.
What played out during the primaries were eye openers. Delegates from parties joined forces to sponsor delegates in different parties.
At the Prof Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre in Awka, where the three big parties – (APGA), (APC) and (PDP) – conducted their primaries, members of opposing parties actively participated.
The emergence of Nwoye and Obaze has instilled fear in the camp of the APGA.
But, Obiano’s outstanding performance have helped in solidifying the APGA ship in the state.
Apart from Ezeemo, one of the front runners in the race on the platform of PPA who has no godfather, other major contenders seem to have one person or the other backing them.
For the UPP candidate and former corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FSRC) Osita Chidoka, the tremendous support being enjoyed by his party through the Biafran agitators are no longer there.
The party’s primary was manipulated, which made another big contender for the ticket, Hon Chudi Offodile to withdraw from the race.
If those who lost the APC ticket like Senator Andy Uba and Chief George Moghalu come together as one body to give support to Nwoye, Anambra state is as good as being (APC) state soon.
But, Obi and his gang are unrelenting in making sure that the state returns to the PDP, which was taken from the party in 2006.
THE CONTENDERS:
OBIANO (APGA)
From the look of things in Anambra, Obiano is a force to contend with as the election is concerned.
The only headache the governor is having is the division in APGA with Martin Agbaso on one hand and Dr Victor Ike Oye on the other hand.
Oye does not see any competition from any quarter whatsoever, but those fighting for his seat are not just ordinary.
Chinedu Idigo, who was to replace Obi as governor before Obiano came into the fray and Dubem Obaze, who has become a political force in Anambra, having been the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters are with Agbaso.
Apart from the former National chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, there is no other known name in Anambra politics that is with Obiano. Others are feather weights.
When the opposition describe Obiano as a non-performing governor, others do not see it from such perspective.
To them, the governor has surpassed what Obi did in eight years.
The Awka indigenes see the three flyovers he erected in the capital city as a big lift by the governor. They have promised to support his second term bid.
Not only the flyovers, Obiano has built, he has continued to solidify the senator Chris Ngige and Obi.
In Anambra West, the longest bridge in the entire Southeast was built by Obiano who also constructed some roads.
The communities are equally celebrating the 40 million naira given to them to build structures of their choice in their areas.
As a result, many people see Obiano being displaced by anybody as a herculean task in the state.
Many chieftains of different political parties are working for him underground.
Obiano is not only depending on the people for victory, he is also on his Aguleri warriors to match any security deployed to the state.
There are other things working in favour of the governor, but his choice of a Campaign Director General, in the person of Umeh, may dealt a big blow on his aspiration.
Umeh is perceived to have stepped on the toes of many people in the state, including his party members, when he was the APGA national chairman and for that, a lot of them are yet to forgive him.
Again, many people believe that Obiano is concentrating development only in his Aguleri axis of the state, while his kinsmen have flooded his government.
The powers given to some of the neophytes in the party have also not gone down well with his party men, who have used the election to set a trap for him.
Obiano remains a force in the election and any party preparing to floor him will have to work harder because majority of the people in the state see him as a performing governor which has earned him the sobriquet of “Willie is willing working”.
NWOYE (APC):
Many youths in Anambra are rooting for him. This was the reason he emerged the candidate of the APC during the primary.
Dr Tony Nwoye has become a force in the politics of Anambra.
Before being the candidate, he had served as the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. He represents Anambra East and West Constituency in the National Assembly. Nobody believed that he would snatch the ticket from Andy Uba, Muoghalu and Barth Nwibe. The gang up from some of the contestants helped in shaping the game, which was good for democracy.
With the emergence of Nwoye as the APC candidate, the party has started counting its blessings.
The APC candidate has large heart and knows how to win the hearts of the people.
Besides, he is loved by the youths, having led them as the President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS).
The Medical Doctor has whatever it will takes to lead the APC to victory. He works closely with members of his party and those he defeated during the primary.
One of the chieftains of the party, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, told The Nation that he has not seen the possibility of Uba working against the victory of his party man to deny APC victory.
He said if it happens, he would be denying himself the party’s ticket for the senatorial seat.
Owing to the influence of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and other chieftains of the party in the state, APC is sure of victory.
One thing that may count in the candidate’s favour is the support of the Federal Government.
If the support garnered by Nwoye during the primary was anything to go by, he should start preparing to take over the Agu-Awka Government House by March 2018.
Another factor that will help the (APC) in the election is that its candidate is from the North senatorial zone where the Governor Obiano comes from.
The apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanzee Ndigbo in the state had ceded the governorship ticket to the North.
The arrangement helped other political parties to think in that direction. Apart from Ezeemo of (PPA) and perhaps UPP’s candidate Chidoka from the major parties, other candidates are from the North senatorial zone.
Nwoye is a grassroots politician and a great mobiliser. He is not the only one being backed by influential person, other candidates are equally in the same fray.
The man popularly called “Ayaka Nsugbe” by all and sundry is in the good stead of becoming the next governor of Anambra state.
OBAZE (PDP)
Oseloka Obaze is a good man by all standards. He is the former Secretary Government.
A career diplomat, who goes by the acronym Oseloka Henry Obaze (OHO), now translated by the people to be “Obiano hand over to Obaze.”
Nobody gave him chance to emerge as the candidate during the primary, save for the power game that played out involving the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi.
He contested with other heavy weights in the party such as the oil magnet, Ifeanyi Ubah, former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah.
Others were Dr Alex Obiogbolu, believed to be the choice of the PDP faithful before the power game, Hon Lynda Ikpeazu and Prof Akaolisa Ufodike.
One obvious thing certainly played out during the primary was the internal wrangling in the party which has not been resolved.
But, the caretaker chairman of the party and former minister of health, Prof Alphonsus B.C Nwosu, really played a fatherly role during the exercise and still playing it.
The governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose, who came to conduct the ward primary, did not release the delegate’s list until a day to the state primary.
The action jolted the aspirants and made some of them to withdraw from the race, which paved way for the emergence of Obaze.
The PDP could not have chosen any other person than Obaze in the race. But has the candidate mastered the intrigues associated with Anambra politics? A huge question the PDP candidate will answer when the campaigns take off in matter of days.
However, with the man nicknamed the grand master by the PDP candidate is on the right track to becoming the next governor of Anambra state.
Will those he defeated support him? Already, Obi has been moving with him to their respective homes to mend fences after the primary.
Analysts believe that, if Obi forms an alliance with another political godfather in the state, Chief Chris Uba, Obaze’s victory is assured.
But, PDP is not where you can build trust. Already, some of the stakeholders have started working with other political parties to deliver their candidates.
When Peter Obi was the governor, many things worked for him, including having the ears of the then president, but does he still possess such powers now?
EZEEMO (PPA)
He is a lone ranger in the race for the governorship seat of Anambra state in terms of political big wigs around his campaign train.
Also, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo does not rely on any person for financial support because; he has the wherewithal to prosecute his ambition.
The only man who has relocated all his businesses to Anambra state in the spirit of (Akurue-Uno), translated (let wealth reach home).
The only problem Ezeemo will have in the race is as a result of his party (PPA), which has not permeated to the people like PDP, APGA or APC, believed to be bigger forces.
But, he has really endeared himself to the people of Anambra, through his philanthropic gestures and they have started embracing (PPA) with a lightning speed.
PPA also winning the Anambra governorship election come November 18 is not unthinkable because a lot of grassroots politicians have really joined the party in recent time.
Some men of God and political observers have predicted surprises in the election and the thinking of the people is towards the PPA candidate.
Another major problem the Umuchu, Aguata local government area born politician is facing is the caliber of people in his campaign train.
Most of them have not gone to work for him genuinely, but to grab his money, while some people who have made up their minds to work for him are being shoved aside.
As a result, the camp in the campaign train has been divided, which might pose a big threat to his aspiration.
Despite having the cash, Ezeemo does not believe in politics of money and does not encourage it. He says that people should dwell much on character in place of money.
Besides, he is favoured, by not coming from the North senatorial zone where the candidates will balkanize their votes.
He is the only candidate from the South senatorial zone among the contenders and that is why political observers are not writing him off from winning the election.
Many people in the state are now rooting for the businessman who never believed in the zoning arrangement by the Ohaneze Ndigbo.
He said if such a thing should start in Anambra state, it has to go to the south first because the former governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju was wronged and he came from the south.
Others who have emerged as candidates in their respective small parties included Sam Oraegbunam (HDP), Franklin Ndife (ID), Oby Kate Okafor (ACD) who is an actress and chairman of the party in the state.
Also, in the race is Oluchi Opara (LP) whose selection is still being contested by the leadership of the party, Ifeanyi Okonkwo (ADP).
For Osita Chidoka (UPP), his coming out through the party is just being contested by the leadership of the party, Ifeanyi Okonkwo (ADP).
For Osita Chidioka (UPP), his coming out through the party, is just to remain relevant in politics.
The party does not have the capacity or followership to make any inroad in Anambra state during the governorship election.
Perhaps, the former corps marshal wants to use the platform to empower some people who have not benefitted from his empowerment programme before now.
And moreover, the crisis that led to the pulling out of Hon Chudi Offodile from the primary is still hunting the party, as majority of the members including the Biafran agitators have pulled out of (UPP).
Offodile told The Nation that his action was based on lack of internal democracy in (UPP), adding that the party was being run like fiefdom.
However, The Nation further gathered that (AGAP) was formed by some political big wigs as an alternative to (APGA) to stop Obiano’s second term bid.
The party it was learnt is being financed by two big wigs in the state, which is now being served as a second platform to help (PDP) in the governorship race.
But the national chairman of the party, Hon. Okey Chikwendu told The Nation that (AGAP) is prepared for the governorship election, adding that the party is not fronting for any one.
They have chosen Felix Nwaezi to fly the party’s flag during the election, an unknown quantity in politics in Anambra state.
All the smaller parties and their candidates are attached to the four contenders and waiting for settlement at the right time.
The electorate are ready for the November 18 governorship election as well as INEC and the security operatives in the state.
The questions are who nicks it APC, APGA, PDP or PPA after the election. The four candidates are solid and willing to rule the state, will Obiano retain his seat? Or is APC coming with a force to foist Nwoye on the people? Is (PDP) back to reclaim what it thinks belongs to it or will Ezeemo and his (PPA) take over the leadership in Anambra?
The political parties are ready with their candidates after the primaries and the electorates are to make their choice.
It will be a tough battle for the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano as the race hots up but the fear of the Aguleri born politician will be the beginning of wisdom for the other contenders.
However, rule out Nwoye of APC out of the equation or Obaze of PDP, then you are singing your Nunc Dinitis.
