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Tag: Obi

  • Rain of tributes as Ambode, Anyaoku, Fashola, Obi, others mourn Ekwueme

    Rain of tributes as Ambode, Anyaoku, Fashola, Obi, others mourn Ekwueme

    It was a rain of tributes yesterday for Nigeria’s first elected Vice President, the late Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; former Anambra State Governor, Peter  Obi, and Africa’s richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija, all extolled  Ekwueme’s integrity and statesmanship.

    They and others, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Emeka Anyaoku, spoke at the commendation service for Ekwueme at the Cathedral Church of God, Marina and the ‘Evening of Tributes and Music’ at the Muson Centre, Lagos Island.

    Other guests at the events included Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; former Ekiti State Governor and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, John Kayode Fayemi; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor, among others.

    Ambode described Ekwueme, who died in London last November 19 aged 85, as “a leader among leaders.”

    He said Ekwueme was “a well respected elder statesman who carried himself with dignity and exuded knowledge, experience and maturity.”

    Ambode noted the “exemplary patriotic roles” played by Ekwueme.

    He said: “Significantly, his answer to the still-problematic National Question grabbed public attention in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country searching for unity, stability and an equitable power-sharing formula.

    “Dr. Ekwueme had proposed six geopolitical zones as the federating units that would rotationally produce a five-year single-term presidency. The six geopolitical zones are Northwest, Northeast, North central, Southwest, Southeast and South-south.”

    “There is no doubt that Dr. Ekwueme was a creative political thinker. Although his novel proposal during the 1994-1995 National Constitutional Conference (NCC) that produced the 1999 Nigerian Constitution was not formally included in the constitution, it is to his credit that the idea of six geopolitical zones has been informally embraced and today informs aspects of governance in the country. In this respect, his contribution to the country’s political evolution has an enduring quality.”

    Fashola, who paid his tributes via a video interview said Ekwueme was “a truly great man.”

    He recommended Ekwueme’s credibility and high values as worth emulating.

    Obi described Ekwueme as a nationalist and urged other politicians to emulate him.

    He told The Nation that Ekwueme was one of Nigeria’s best leaders ever.

    Anyaoku said: “He was not a typical leader. He left a legacy of diligence, hardwork.”

    Subomi, Ekwueme’s friend and former Lagos neighbour, recalled how their bond of friendship was cemented after Ekwueme returned to his house in Apapa from the east after the civil war. He noted God used Ekwueme to direct opportunities his way.

    Alhaji Lateef Okunnu SAN, Ekwueme’s former school mate at King’s College, Lagos, said Ekwueme would have made Nigeria great if he had become President.

    Mrs Alakija recalled Ekwueme’s brilliance.

    She said: “He was extremely sharp and would always recognise anyone who was sharp. He loved dancing. He would dance and dance.”

    Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo, the Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), described the late former Vice President as a selfless and God fearing Nigerian statesman.

    He said: “We cannot compare him to the politicians of today as he single-handedly supervised the construction of Oko Comprehensive Secondary School, among many things he did, he spent his money for the good and benefits of Nigerians.

    Ekwueme will be buried in his hometown Oko, Anambra State on February 2.

  • Obi receives highest award from his community

    Obi receives highest award from his community

    The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has received  the highest award by his Agulu community during the celebration of the 80th year anniversary of the foundation of the Agulu People’s Union at the St. Peter’s field, Agulu on Sunday.

    The event, which was the first in the history of Agulu, also saw Obi being the first to be enrolled in the Town’s  Hall of Fame. Agulu people said that politics apart, that Obi remained the person that has had the greatest  positive influence on the town.

    The President General of the town,  Chief Andy Orakwelu said the recognition was because of his internationally recognized stature as an astute democrat, a human capital developer and an  outstanding Administrator.

    Receiving the award on behalf of  the Former Governor who was outside the country, his former Commissioner for Housing, Engr. Dr. Patrick Obi said that the award was  a testimony that despite those opposing Obi coming largely from his town and local government, that the people of  Agulu  are pleased with him and his accomplishments, which he described as equal to none in the State.

    Dr. Obi  encouraged the people of Agulu to see Obi for what he is and not from prisms coloured by jealousy and hate. Narrating what Obi should be to the people of the State, he used himself as an example. In his words: ” I once went for an interview, the moment the panel saw from my  resume that I worked with Obi as a Commissioner, the interview ended, with the panel members agreeing that having worked with Obi at that level was enough proof of anybody’s positive, hard-working and focused credentials.”

    Speaking to the press after the event, the Second Vice Chairman of Agulu people’s Union. Chief Stephen Okeke described the award as apposite. He said that Obi was good in all ramifications and described what he called his “excellent performance as the Governor and his unequalled empowerment of the people of the  town without undue noise”  as enduring legacies worth celebrating at all times.

    The event witnessed recipient of other category of lesser  awards by many others.

    Chaired  by Dr. Chike  Akunyili, the  event was attended by the cream of the people of the town.

  • Obi and the ostracism of Aristides

    Greece is acknowledged as the homeland of democracy. Even as the people practised it, some rascals came in occasionally to interrupt it. A case was the dictatorship of Peisistratus who, on becoming popular, asked for a little guard to protect him. With the guard he took over government. As his dictatorship became harsher, like our several military regimes, the cry for freedom grew louder.

    To enjoy uninterrupted freedom, which a democracy has the capacity to ensure, the Greek put several measures in place. A certain man called Cleisthenes, having gained democratic powers, went on to establish a popular assembly with judicial powers. The powers of the assembly were enlarged by the institution of ostracism as a bulwark against the young democracy. How did it work?

    At any time, by a majority of votes written secretly upon potsherds (ostraka), the Assembly, in a quorum of 6000 members, might send into exile for 10 years one who, by its reckoning, had grown so strong or famous as to become a danger to the state. In this way ambitious leaders and those who disobeyed the laws of the land were constrained to conduct themselves with circumspection and moderation. Thus, men suspected of conspiracy could be disposed of without the law’s delay. The procedure required that the assembly should be asked: “Is there any man among you whom you think vitally dangerous to the state? If so, whom?” The Assembly might then vote to ostracise the person. Such exile involved no confiscation of property and no disgrace; it was merely democracy’s way of cutting off the “tallest ears of the corn in the field”.

    In spite of its function, ostracism was abused as demonstrated by one of its victims – Aristides. Aristides was a good man who supported democratic ideals and aligned himself with progressive forces for the good of Athens. He was unhappy to see his fellow Athenians suffer and thus was immersed in philanthropy. Consequently, Aristides was loved by many and became the “talk of the town”. However, he became so popular that Athenians voted for his ostracism; and Athenian beneficiaries of his philanthropy were the losers.

    Ostracism has many variants, such as banishment, exile, recall, impeachment, etc. These are measures used to check the excesses of people, including elected officials. In the olden days, it was customary to banish people from their towns when they defiled the land. People go on, or are sent to, exile when they commit heinous crimes or when they deliberately run away from oppressive governments. Constituencies can actually recall those representing them in the House if they fall short of what is required of them. The House can check the excesses of the executive through impeachment.

    Like Aristides, anti-democratic forces are bent on ostracizing Peter Obi not on the basis of any of the accepted criteria, but because they feel injured about his popularity and what he stands for. He scares them by what seem to them his obstinate incorruptibility and uncanny commitment to principles.  His life is an unforgivable indictment of theirs; and they wish he could “sin” a little, if only out of decent respect for the political habits of mankind.

    In the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election, Peter Obi campaigned for the candidate of his choice.  I do not want to go into the concourse of factors that made his candidate lose, but the reports of all the observers revealed that many voters were paid N10,000 each in some polling  stations to vote for particular candidates. I am certain several Nigerians watched the gubernatorial debates, after which the election was narrowed down to Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Chief Osita Chidoka.

    Surprisingly, most post-election analysts all focused on Obi’s candidate losing. It is a pity they are not willing to go behind the scenes and see what really happened. Obi believed the incumbent did not do well and supported another candidate in his party. That he lost due to extraneous factors should not have anything to do with him as a person. These reflexes reminds one of the fate President John Kennedy  suffered after the Bay of Pigs invasion, where he was forced to remember the ancient saying that victory has many fathers and defeat an orphan.

    Has it not occurred to these analysts that those issuing statements against Peter Obi in Anambra today are made up of collection of rejected politicians that would rather mortgage their souls to the devil in pursuit of lucre? The fact that this rabble of particular characters is attacking one man is a plus for him. It shows that Obi is diametrically opposed to them in politics, manners and morals.

    Why are analysts not blaming the loss on PDP members that collected billions of naira and worked against themselves? Did they expect Obi to perform magic?

    When certain things happen, it reminds us of the dearth of men in Anambra State. I have personally seen enough of some religious leaders and those we call the elite in the state that I am convinced that we do not need them at all if this state must sustain the gains of the past.

     

    • Obienyem wrote from Lagos.

  • Odyssey of politician Obi

    The Anambra election threw up winners and losers.  Willy Obiano, re-elected governor, is clear winner.  So, is his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which, for now, has escaped the drop.

    Still, except strenuous efforts are made, to broaden it into, at least, a dominant South East regional voice, APGA’s future would still appear shrouded, beyond the sentiments and excitement of the moment.  But even as a vibrant regional party, it would only replicate the South East equivalent of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999.

    Ironically, an Igbo elected as president, from a party other than APGA may well fast-track the end of that party, with the central-minded tendency of Nigerian politics and politicians, even with the clamour for “restructuring”.  So, as former President Olusegun Obasanjo destroyed the AD to consolidate his own central power base, so would a non-APGA Igbo president destroy APGA to create fresh power base for himself.  Right now, however, APGA is flush with victory — and deservedly so.

    Many say the federal ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were losers in the Anambra election.  In a way, they are right, for APGA retained its governorship.  But in another way, coming from near zero in 2015, to gross the second position, even if distant, can’t be said to be a total loss in real terms.  So, APC could be said to have notched some vital gains in its loss.

    That cannot be said of the Peoples Democratic Party (former ruling party over there), now dropping third, below APC, the 2015 election-time “Muslim” party in a predominantly Christian Anambra State.  That should give PDP strategists a lot of concern, as the party struggles to stage a comeback in the 2019 general elections, both at the federal level and in states where elections are due.  Towards that end, Anambra presents little hope.

    But the biggest loser, by the Anambra election, is Peter Obi, the former state governor, famed for his frugality and savings while in office.

    Perhaps it was political calculation gone awry.  Perhaps it was hubris, made more reckless by the hurt of a godfather, sworn to unhorsing a brash and ungrateful godson, by taking away the gubernatorial lolly.  Perhaps it’s a medley of the two.

    But whatever it was, Obi just committed near political suicide by the result of the Anambra polls.  Packing Onitsha, the South East’s number one commercial hub, with former President Goodluck Jonathan in tow, and all Obi could deliver to PDP is a distant third?  That’s a catastrophe!

    Worse, there are already whispers about some entente between APGA and — wait for it!—the “Islamic” and “Islamist” APC!  And the way a flush Obiano is singing the praises of President Muhammadu Buhari, thanking him for letting the wish of the people to prevail—is it supposed to be otherwise? — then you can’t just dismiss such talks.

    However it pans out, both Obi and PDP face a torrid immediate future.  In the long run, however, you are either dead, or reinvent yourself.

    Again, as many have always suspected, Obi has yet again betrayed his scandalous faulty political antenna, which appears so blunt it mistakes when to attack for when to retreat and vice-versa.  The result was the Anambra debacle, where the godson, with electoral panache, just buried the godfather!

    But again, maybe Obi and his PDP could reinvent and yet resurrect?  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, joy to the godson, grief to the godfather.

    After all, every political career, as they say, ends in failure!  But don’t count Peter Obi out yet.

     

     

  • I never demanded N7.5b from Obiano, says Obi

    I never demanded N7.5b from Obiano, says Obi

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday denied asking for N7.5 billion from his successor, Governor Willy Obiano.

    Obi said Obiano lied against him.

    The banker and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said he also left N25 billion in the state’s coffers, following the expiration of his second term.

    He wondered why Obiano accused him of leaving a huge debt behind.

    Obi told reporters in Lagos that Obiano peddled falsehood against him out of the desperation to cover up his poor performance in the last four years.

    The former governor recalled that his successor had withdrawn the statement that he (Obi) demanded money from him when he was on a reconciliation mission to his home in company of a prominent Christian leader from the state.

    He said Obiano was trying to smear his good name to divert attention from the core campaign issues of performance, transparency and accountability, which the governor allegedly neglected for four years.

    Obi reeled out his achievements when he was governor for eight years, saying Obiano cannot match his record.

    The former governor said the alleged lies against him and the administration he presided over would collapse on Election Say when voters give their verdict.

    He justified his campaigns against Obiano’s second term bid, saying the governor is not worthy of re-election.

    Obi said the PDP candidate, Osekola Obaze, will live up to expectation and perform better than Obi, if elected.

    Rejecting the allegation of indebtedness, the former governor listed 11 banks where the state’s funds were domiciled and urged reporters and other interested persons to verify his claims.

    He noted that apart from the N25 billion savings, another N23 billion was set aside for critical projects in the course of fighting infrastructure battle across the state.

    Obi added: Let me categorically tell you what I left behind and what I did not leave. On March 17, 2014, when I left office, the total money that I left was N25 billion. It was in the local currency. And there were N23 billion and N600 million, the components of what was called ‘set aside’ for critical ongoing projects.

    “Even, some of them were discussed with him (Obiano). So, if you are talking about money set aside, it is N48 billion and N629 million. I will give you the breakdown of all the banks where they are. They are components of savings and components of set aside for critical projects, including the projects.”

    But Governor Willie Obiano said former Governor Obi is attacking him because he refused to give him N7.5 billion his predecessor claimed he spent to elect him (Obiano).

    Obiano spoke at Onitsha during his governorship re-election campaign for Onitsha North and South local government areas.

    The governor said his predecessor left N127 billion liability for his administration.

    He said out of the amount, his government had paid about N67 billion.

    The debt, according to the governor, ranges from those owed contractors, water board workers and the local government election conducted before Obi left office.

    Obiano said when Obi approached him with the bill of what he spent for his election, he told him his campaign team had earmarked some money for such purpose.

    He said: “He left in anger and vowed to fight me. That was my offence. It’s because I said I would use the money to solve the problems of Ndi Anambra. I decided to work for my people.”

  • Obi, a welcome godfather

    Obi, a welcome godfather

    Presently the reigning vibes in the Anambra State political terrain is this ear-boozing song – Godfatherism. Most Anambrarians believe that Dr. Willie Obiano is evidently so desperate to clinch a second term berth that his followers, who are thinning by the day, are catching at straws like the proverbial drowning man.

    From the saying that the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi was demanding seven billion naira from the incumbent governor as the money spent while the ‘Godfather’ (Obi) installed his Godson (Obiano) to the fairytale that Obi left APGA on his own for pursuit of federal appointment, down to the fact that he betrayed APGA by leaving the party, and on to such concocted tales – all in efforts to make Mr. Obi abandon any interest in Anambra State politics of 2017.

    But Obi, even though not interested in responding or exchanging words with them amidst very tempting provocations, decided to cut across their ice by getting deeply involved with same election. Their disappointment could be felt, seen and even touched. However, these could not debar the ex-governor from assisting in riding his dear state of what many perceive as aliens in power.

    Right from when primaries were getting closer and hotter, Gov Obiano’s cronies were busy shouting, attempting to sow seeds of crisis into the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), just because it was then clear that former Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze was not only a strong contender but also being supported by Obi. From under table intrigues of clandestine nature to open rascality like arranging a handful of paid protesters in Onitsha, the Obiano camp went agog with what many call debasing politics of open blackmail and outright lies masked in propaganda.

    Obaze has been busy selling his programme, convincing Anambra people that he is the best person for the job. Rather than do likewise, Obiano and his people are only shouting godfather up and down the streets. Is godfather a negative phenomenon? The late EzeIgbo Gburugburu, Dim Emeka Ojukwu was Mr. Obi’s godfather? What about Obi himself? Wasn’t he Obiano’s godfather? Let’s face it – Obiano himself confessed he was swimming when he was called home to govern. He was provided even the air ticket to fly home to that call. And according to Joemartins Uzodike on various radio appearances, Obiano came home with a jelly-coiled hair. He was taken to a barber’s shop for a haircut, clothed responsibly and was fed until he became governor by the man who made him governor. He, Obiano was bought a jeep, a Prado jeep and a Lexus jeep for his wife – all paid by the man who made him governor. In all we hear about godfatherism none has been as completely domineering in execution like the one Obi did for Obiano.

    Today, let’s agree that Obi is Obaze’s godfather…but Obi is not taking care of Obaze’s looks. As SSG for three years at least he inherited official cars he’s still using. He’s conveniently taking care of himself and family. He’s made enough savings as a very prudent man to purchase his own nomination and declaration of interest forms. He’s been funding his campaign team. In his fleet were vehicles he personally bought to boost his campaigns. His posters, literature, handbills, various meetings are sponsored by the man. Obaze is never the type of lame godson Obiano was.

    If Obi was Obiano’s godfather, did Obi one day arm-twist his godson? When this godson and the other godfather, the former national chairman of the party, demanded for Obi to leave the party didn’t Obi leave immediately? If there’s any truth in this propaganda-gone-sour, why didn’t Obi insist on being paid this sum before he left in the true ways of the godfather Obiano and his cronies want ndi Anambra to believe Obi represents? And the bold question should be – What manner of godfather would leave his godson’s party if indeed his interest hovered around recouping his campaign fund?

    But looking at the man Peter Obi, which state in Nigeria would not truly wish he was a godfather in anointing any governor? Can a good husband be a bad man? Not likely. Obi, in eight years of governing Anambra State developed all parts of Anambra via ANIDS. Poverty Alleviation; Education; Health; Security; Agriculture; Road Infrastructure; Public Utilities; Water; Judiciary; Housing; etc – Obi scored first in all these. He brought the state to enviable positions in all departments that for once, ndi Anambra sang in unison that he was God-sent.

    What was Obi’s secret of performance? Professionals say it’s prudence and I can’t agree more. Obi is so prudent that they christened him aka gum. Yes, he aka-gummed Anambra’s scarce resources that he was able to give real governance to the masses. That’s why they love him….they shout Okwuteee anywhere they see him. They still love the only real governor they’ve ever known. Ndi Anambra dream of another governor like their Okwute once more. If indeed he is a godfather to Obaze it is to the latter’s huge credit.

    This is the major set-back the other Godson lacks that is driving his camp crazy. This is why they are lying to and cajoling ndi Anambra to reject godfatherism. There are godfathers and there are godfathers. Peter Obi is one godfather ndi Anambra will welcome with open arms. Already majority are saying – if Obi tells us to vote for Obaze we will gladly do so.

    Anywhere in Anambra, every of the 177 communities have more than one reason to welcome Obi with genuine love. He’s built schools, constructed roads, built hospitals and health centres, provided amenities, boosted industries, provided poverty alleviation via agriculture and SMEs, and many others. Such a man should be called back to be a godfather any time. Because today, the hawks are back in governance. What the poor masses see is governance of enriching private pockets and denying the poor masses, despite being cripplingly overtaxed immediately Obi left. What they are seeing is a government where the only finished projects are located in one community – Aguleri.

    The masses want the Obi days to return. They are happy that Obi is interested in bringing those days back by being actively involved. In fact, they were afraid that since Obiano disappointed in continuing with good governance that Obi would abandon Anambra. But they now know how much their Okwute loves them. They will do everything to see those great days back.

    Love him or hate him, Peter Obi is one person great majority of ndi Anambra will welcome wholeheartedly as a godfather.

     

    • Akosa wrote in from Onitsha.
  • Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has said workers’ wage and salary structure should be reviewed to stop professionals from leaving the country.

    Achebe  said it was a tragedy for members of the political elite to determine their wage structure, while workers in the country cannot.

    He said this at the 36th convocation of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which held in Ijanikin, Lagos.

    According to him, Nigerian doctors. after getting their training locally, become expatriates in various countries, which reveals the shortcoming of wages and infrastructural systems in the country.

    “Doctors should be well rewarded as they are special due to what they do and it was this realisation that stopped me from studying medicine, though I was admitted to study it, but I went for chemistry,”he said.

    He said though traditional rulers voices were getting smaller, he would do something about the situation by talking to the authorities.

    The college President, Prof. Ademola Olaitan, said though doctors going abroad was pathetic, there was nothing that could be done as they (doctors) have to feed themselves and work in conducive environments.

    He said: “Part of the mandate of the college is to prevent human capital flight in the medical sector, which we have succeeded in doing by convoking 387 fellows this year, aside those convoked in previous years and saving the nation, millions of dollars.”

    He said it was a shame that industrial action is the only language government listens to.

    “Industrial actions are not encouraged as it disrupts work and placements by doctors into various teaching hospitals which does not allow for fulfillment of the prescribed minimum period of clinical placements and rotations that qualified them for examinations,” he said.

    Olaitan urged the government to reconstitute the Board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as the body had operated without a council for the past two years when the board was dissolved. He noted that reconstitution will allow the council to perform its statutory functions, which are crucial to the smooth running of medical services.

    The guest speaker, Prof Obiora Onuba, who spoke on the theme: “Medical Management of Terrorist Bombing of Nigerian Civilians;” Lessons to Learn”,  said doctors must have training in treating victims of terrorist acts as only a few doctors have experience in a true mass casualty attack.

  • Obi to Obiano: don’t hide non-performance under N7b demand

    Obi to Obiano: don’t hide non-performance under N7b demand

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has urged his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, to tell the people what he has done for them in almost four years, rather than use “the non-existent” demand for N7 billion as an excuse to hide his non-performance.

    Obi was reacting yesterday to a statement credited to Obiano that the former governor demanded N7 billion from him.

    Responding through a statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, the former governor said Obiano was using the campaign period to sponsor people on different media platforms that he (Obi) asked for N7 billion from him (Obiano).

    Obi said the governor’s claim was false.

    The statement said: “We know the governor has many questions to answer and cannot run away from them through blackmail. For instance, on the issue of the N75 billion Obi left for him, he tried to deny it by saying he met ‘near cash’. We went published the banks and account numbers where the funds were lodged and the bank certified statement of accounts, but they tactically kept quiet.

    “To refresh our minds, Obi left N2,139,951,400 billion in First Bank (account number 2018779464) for Oko erosion; N4,909,576,925.98 billion in SURE-P’s Diamond Bank account (0026290200); N1,782,568,032 billion in UBEC 1 Diamond Bank account (0023484282); N2,101,864,766 billion in UBEC 2 Diamond Bank account (0031151473); over N4 billion in many MDG accounts, one of which was the N3,048,355,196 billion in Fidelity Bank (5030047097); over N35 billion cash (set aside funds added) in all the banks.

    “Obi also left $156 million in Fidelity Bank ($56 million); Diamond Bank ($50 million) and Access Bank ($50 million).

    “If left as Anambra’s Future Growth Funds as conceived by Obi, the money with interest and accruals would have been about N200 billion, but Governor Obiano has sold all of them. In fact, it was one of the disagreements about the sale that led Mr. Oseloka Obaze to resign. Obiano should be busy telling us the status of these funds rather than his current blackmail.”

  • Obi: I didn’t demand N7b from Obiano

    Obi: I didn’t demand N7b from Obiano

    A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi said he did not demand for N7billion from his successor, Governor Willie Obiano.

    He said he  left about $156million in the bank, N25billion cash and N25billion in local  investment for his successor.

    He said he never supported any candidate for personal benefits.

    He also denied nursing an aspiration to be Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)  in 2019.

    Obi, who made the clarifications in a chat with reporters in Abuja, urged Obiano to join him in church to swear to an oath on the N7billion controversy.

    He said: “Let me ask a question, you all are educated and it is on record in this country and documented, I can prove it with every clear documented evidence that when I left office , I left over N25billion in local investment for Anambra state. I left over N25 billion in cash in the bank. I also left $156 million  in the  bank in Nigeria. Do you think anyone can leave such money and go to beg the person he is handing over to give him N7 billion when I left over 75 billion.

    “ I would have taken the N7billion first,  then give them the balance and I will still be in good shape. Let me use the dollar as example. Nobody has ever left $1 in any state in Nigeria. I left $156 million. About  $30million alone is over N7billion. If I had taken chances and left $120million, I will still be a champion. So why will I leave that one and go begging for peanut.

    “Why would I need the money and then go to beg the person I handed over  to give me N7billion?  I would have taken it!. Let us be rational about all these.

    “What is the idea behind this? It is sheer madness for anybody  to do it. Not even in a family business, I cannot leave money and then go back to beg my brother talk less of handing over to somebody who is not my brother and who can change tomorrow.

    “So, it is sheer blackmail, I have never and I am a Christian,  I am not supposed to swear but I can put my hand in any form of oath to say I have never discussed with anybody to be paid any amount. Let Obiano himself come, let us go before hierarchy of our church or anything to swear. I have never done that and I will never do it.

    “ At the stage of my life, I cannot support anybody’s political aspiration for personal benefits, I have passed that stage. God has been very gracious to me. I did not go into politics in need. I was already a director in three financial institutions, a director in four other major companies out of which it was by the virtue of my  investment. I was running a successful family business.”

    Responding to a question, Obi added: “If anything, going into politics made me poorer but I won’t question anything because that is where God wants me to be.

    “Whatever happens to me is God’s design and I respect that. For me, all I want is for us to have a better society; caring for the poor, caring for the people.”

    Asked why he was fighting the political godson who he installed in Anambra State as a governor, Obi said: Well, I didn’t want to go into that. You have heard  what the Governor said. He said everything on Channels Television that I wasn’t the one who installed him; that I was just one of those who campaigned for him and I leave it at that.

    “ I wish him well and I have no personal issue with him. Even if I had any issue, I’ve forgiven him. I’m a Christian. I don’t need to bear grudges. God is gracious to me. I’m okay, I’m fine.

    “I have never regretted anything in my life. I came with nothing, I am going with nothing. What I regret is if I have somebody in government and he or she does not perform.

    On his purported  aspiration to be the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP in 2019, Obi said: “You are talking about aspirations that are not there. What I want is a good Nigeria.

    “You don’t need to have a post to speak about a good Nigeria. I go around because I know that we can be better. I know we can reduce this cost of governance that is unacceptable. I know because I’ve served.”

     

  • Obi seeks real sector diversification

    Former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi has called for the diversification of the economy.

    Speaking on Sustaining growth through diversification of the economy during a seminar organised by the association of Group of Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos, he said the economy is already diversified.

    He said the non-oil sector is contributing about 80 per cent to the nation’s GDP, noting that the tragedy is that the oil sector, however, accounts for 90 per cent of the foreign exchange earnings.

    He listed three ways to put the economy back on track.

    According to him, government must urgently embark on aggressive savings, diversification of the economy towards manufacturing and investment in developmental education.

    “Our economy is fully diversified because the non-oil sector is actually contributing about 80 per cent to our GDP today.

    “But the tragedy of our economy is that 90 per cent of our export revenue is derived from just one sector – oil.

    “Diversifying our economy through manufacturing and investment in education is what we require today to turn around our economy.

    “And by aggressive savings we’ll be able to get the resources to bring about micro economic stability to the country, defend our currency and be able to attract FDI and portfolio investments and unlock the resources to invest in our deteriorated infrastructure,” Obi, who described himself as a trader and businessman, said.

    Another guest speaker, Mr Bayo Onanuga, urged the group to come up with code of conduct for online media practitioners.

    Onanuga, who is Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged the leadership to pursue capacity building for members through workshops and seminars to broaden their knowledge.

    The NAN chief assured that his organisation would collaborate with GOCOP in generating contents, not only text but videos and photographs.

    Keynote speaker, Prof Akinyemi Onigbinde, said the nation needs to restructure the polity before talking about diversification of the economy.

    “Let me say this and it is with all sense of responsibility, that the proponents of this ‘diversification’ theory, with respect to the chronically ill Nigerian economy, are not being honest.

    “Indeed, I  dare say they are being mischievous, just as they insist on playing Nero as our Rome prepares to go up in flames. Truth is, for Nigeria, it may well be one-minute to midnight, if we continue to ignore the ‘first principle’ in nation-building.

    “So, what is responsible for Nigeria’s arrested development, to put it in a counter thesis to GOCOP request: Nigeria’s economy cannot enjoy a sustainable growth and neither can it be diversified because there is even no basis for economic growth.’’

     

    “As I had earlier suggested, what economy are we to diversify? And As I had also insisted on, there can be no economy to be diversified, hence there will be no growth as to speak of ‘sustainable growth.’

    “But let us, however, say that Nigeria will continue to remain in a state of suspended animation, economically, so long as some sections of the Nigerian nation space feel short-changed by the Nigeria political economy, due, largely, to the operations of present structure of the Nigerian state.

    “Truth is, so long as the centre holds a ‘veto power’ over the economic activities of Nigeria so-called federating units, so long will Nigeria manifest destiny remain dormant,” Prof Onigbinde said.