DAVID-CHYDDY ELEKE in this report takes a look at the intrigues surrounding the quest to succeed Governor Peter Obi as the chief executive of Anambra State; who the likely gladiators are, their likely platforms and their chances of making it.
Governor Peter Obi just clocked two years in office in his second term as the First citizen of Anambra State. This scenario leaves him with two clear years to round up his tenure. But already, politicians in the state who are interested in taking his seat have started jostling for endorsement from diverse quarters.
For a state like Anambra which parades first class brains and also men of means, it is not unexpected that tension is already high, even though some of those expressing interest have not made their intension open. In the last governorship election in 2010, about 60 personalities, comprising of contenders and pretenders threw their hats in the ring, in a bid to clinch the position.
While some were merely in the race to distract others from attaining their goal as a vendetta for one misgiving or the other, others were in the race to announce their presence and shore up their popularity in readiness for subsequent, while others were in the game for real.
Already, on the streets of Awka, posters have started springing up in every nook and cranny, mostly by political groups, praising to high heavens their choice candidates, while others simply advocate for a section of the state to produce the governor.
Though there is an unwritten pact to the effect of how political offices are shared in the state, those from Anambra North Senatorial Zone of the state believe that it is time for one of them to call the shots in Anambra Government House.
They cite the fact that both the Central and South Senatorial Zones of the state have had their turn at various times; it is time for them to produce the governor. Unfortunately for them, power is not given but taken as none of the other zones have ever paid heed to their gospel.
In 2010, they lost the candidacy of major political parties to the Central and South Senatorial Zones, and now they are back on the turf again, advocating that they be conceded the seat on a platter of gold. Unfortunately for them, most of the gladiators who made the 2010 election tick still have their eyes on the governorship position.
Even more have joined in expressing interest, and for a politically volatile state like Anambra, what happens in 2014 would be better experienced than told.
The stake is high, the participants are willing, all coming to the table with brains bursting at their seams with ideas; pockets deep enough to buy the state in its totality if the price will be named. When this is coupled with hands that are so free they always come out with enough cash to splurge around if only to bring to reality their dreams.
The list interestingly this time will exclude Mr. Peter Obi, but even more interestingly have him play the godfather role as these men and women slug it out in 2014.
Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige
To say that Dr. Ngige, former governor of Anambra State will contest the position of the governor in 2014 is as sure as saying that the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. Since he was sent packing from the Government House Awka in 2006 after three years of service, Ngige has never hidden his interest at returning to the office.
He made an attempt in 2007, again in 2010 and will not fail to do in 2014. This is because the previous attempts were at times when he was seen as not too buoyant for the contest. But with his sojourn in the senate and knowing that he can comfortably return to the comfort of the senate if he loses is a heart-warming development.
It is also unmistakable that Ngige will vie on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, a political party he has nurtured from the scratch and built to its present level. He has also raised a cult-like followership for himself, and would be forced by his fans to move into the race if assuming he refuses to do so.
Ngige had between 2003 and 2006 been the governor of Anambra State and was famed to have opened the eyes of Anambrarians to the fact that there was money in government.
He is reputed to have built quality roads in every corner of the state, despite the distractions of his godfathers, which resulted in his kidnap and subsequent withdrawal of his security. Many people still see him as a liberator of Anambra State.
Andy Uba
This Aguata-born money bag is one politician who has also tested the Government House, and like Ngige, he is not ready to let go. While Mr. Peter Obi was just settling down after he returned from an illegal impeachment, Andy Uba in 2007 ran a powerful campaign that trounced other contenders to the position of Anambra governorship to clinch the seat, but his joy was short lived as he was removed by the court and replaced by Mr. Peter Obi after 17 days in office.
He is currently a senator, representing Anambra South on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). He is a foundation member of the party, and even though he went out of his way in 2010 to contest for the governorship position on the platform of Labour Party after the PDP named Prof. Charles Soludo as its flagbearer, it can be predicted that he will vie on the platform of the PDP this time.
Senator Uba has a deep pocket, and a free hand when it comes to giving, the reason he is very much loved by the people, but his greatest problem just like in 2010 is clinching the ticket of the PDP. It is expected that he will draw up a magical plan with his younger brother, the self styled godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba who is also a member of the board of trustees of the party that will earn him the ticket as many other top brass will also be gunning for it.
Like Ngige, the cover of the senate will afford him the comfort of vying for the position with full rest of mind, knowing that even if he loses, he will not lose out entirely in the Nigerian political space.
Charles Soludo
Only little has been heard of Soludo since after he lost the governorship contest in 2010, but his silence does not fool anyone. The economist-turned-politician and former governor of the apex bank of the land, CBN is noted for his arrogant display of intellectualism. You cannot take away from him the fact that he is intelligent. Soludo will always impress his intelligence on you when he speaks in his trademark deep baritone voice.
Though he has not indicated interest openly to contest for the governorship position in 2014, his parting word at his campaign office in 2010 after he lost to Mr. Peter Obi where he made it plain that this fight (governorship) is a fight he will fight again, also impresses on his also cult-like followers that it may not be the end.
Though he was greatly criticized in 2010 when he came up with his African Dubai/Taiwan manifesto, where people ridiculed him for promising what they thought was unattainable, while asking that he should have promised to transform Anambra to neighbouring Asaba instead of talking about Dubai and Taiwan, Soludo stuck to his gun and regularly lectured anyone who cared to listen how he intends to actualize his dream.
Soludo will most likely, contest on the platform of PDP, and will have a barrage of money bag politicians to contend with to be able to pick up the party’s ticket.
Obinna Uzoh
Consummate businessman, Chairman Gocuz Group of Companies, Dr. Barrister Obinna Uzoh is an astute, wealthy entrepreneur and philanthropist of note and a well respected personality in Anambra State.
Recently, he undertook to single-handedly finance the construction of a church complex which he donated to the catholic Church in Ihiala. The imposing structure made up of the church auditorium and reverend father’s residence was dedicated on Sunday, February 12, 2012. There is more.
It was a major philanthropic as well as a political statement, given the powerful personalities from the clergy and political arena that attended the occasion. The Catholic pope’s representative as well as Governor Peter Obi attended, including the political who’s who in Anambra State. Many saw the occasion as an important signaling of potent political intent. A PDP chieftain, many are still waiting for Uzoh to clarify the political platform on whivh to prosecute his gubernatorial ambition.
He hails from Ihiala LGA of Anambra State which falls in Anambra South Zone, like Ubah, Ukachukwu and Soludo.
Ifeanyi Ubah
This young and energetic oil mogul was about the first to indicate interest to govern the state for the 2014 governorship election. An equally brilliant businessman with a very deep pocket, Ubah who is the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas is touted to be eyeing APGA.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that Ubah had the game working for him, having been a long time friend of Governor Peter Obi, and also having extracted a promise from him to succeed him. But things went awry with both men, when Obi was said to have told him that as a way of pacifying the people of the North Senatorial Zone, he intends to look from the zone for his successor.
A defiant Ubah it was gathered has ignored the governor and went ahead with his plan to contest for the ticket of the APGA as he is said to be in good term with the national Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh. If the truth be told, Ubah will get the governorship position of Anambra state if it were a purchasable commodity as he has the money and the willingness of heart to dole out what ever price tag the state bears.
He will however have Obi, a very sly politician to deal with if it is true that he (Obi) has dumped him for the position. He recently declared open his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, which gave out bags of rice, kerosene and other food item. He also selected some graduates from the state for training in entrepreneurial studies in China.
He is quoted to have told the crowd gathered at the foundation office on the day of its opening that he will gather the people of the state soon to tell them his heart desire. He is a philanthropist to the core, a virtue that may work to his advantage even though he will be a greenhorn politician.
Olisa Agbakoba
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Olisa Agbakoba may pass for a reluctant leader, following the news of his lobby by a group of elders in the state for him to come and lead the state. He has however not declared his intention, but many believe that he will yield to the temptation of participating in the 2014 governorship election in Anambra State.
He has working for him, his Anambra North origin, which has long been registered as the most marginalized zone in the state; his intelligence and the support of elders of the state. But he is also disadvantaged by the fact that only those who have money and are ready to spend it are the ones who dream of contesting election.
A source told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that if actually elders went to beg Agbakoba to come to the state and salvage it, then they may have been sponsored by a money bag as the elders themselves will not embark on such journey as they know that Agbakoba is not capable of presenting them ‘kola nut’.
Agbakoba is a very exposed personality, and fielding him on the platform of any party will be a plus for the party, and it was gathered that the likely party for him if he yields to the demand will be the APGA.
Paul Odenigbo
He is the current Secretary to the Anambra State Government. He also hails from Anambra North and has held sway in the office for as long as Mr. Peter Obi has been governor. He is believed to have mopped up money from the office, and most people believe he may be a trainee of governor Obi and positioned to succeed him.
A quiet character that discharges his duty with a calmness that chides any urgency, Odenigbo in the Mr. Peter Obi cabinet plays the role of a father. Going by the quest of most state executive to replace themselves with their allies when leaving office, he may secure the support of the governor to clinch the ticket of the APGA.
Nicholas Ukachukwu
Some politicians in Anambra can pass for perpetual contenders. They are in the field soliciting for votes any time a position is announced vacant, and the chairman of Prince and Princess Estates, Abuja, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu can be grouped here.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Ukachukwu has contested for a seat in the senate and the governorship seat of Anambra State severally. He did same in the 2010 governorship election on the platform of PDP and latter moved to Hope Democratic Party. He also contested the Anambra South senatorial position after he returned to PDP and is still at logger head with Senator Andy Uba over who is the rightful candidate of the party.
Ukachukwu is rich, smart and energetic. He also has a cultlike followership. He is a Pentecostal minister and has the eloquence that convinces voters, but it just does not seem to have worked for him yet.
Dora Akunyili
Akunyili lost the position of the senator representing Anambra Central to Senator Chris Ngige in an epic battle that regaled Nigerians with bribery story and many others. Having been out of power for a year now, she may just try her hands on the governorship.
She is very close to the governor of the state, and has an exposure that will do Anambra good if elected. However, except she is being sponsored by money bags, Akunyili is seen by many as having spent too much in his campaign for a seat in the senate, and subsequent litigations that only ended on the intervention of the Supreme Court.
She does not need introduction in the Nigerian political space, as her work at NAFDAC speaks volume, but many believe she was unable to replicate the same feat at the federal information ministry.
She will remain remembered for her role in pressuring that Dr Goodluck Jonathan be named acting president during the controversial illness of President Yar’Adua. She is indeed an asset to the state, but in Anambra too many assets abound, and none wishes to concede supremacy to the other.
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