Anambra Guber Poll: The Political Python Dance

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The forthcoming Anambra State governorship election is gaining  momentum by the day following the intrigues that are playing out which could be described as ‘Political Python Dance’ – political exercise likened to the one recently declared by the military in South East Nigeria.

The Political parties and their candidates have been playing the game trying to maneuver and possibly to outsmart each other, but it was getting tougher each new day. The five major political parties which were said to be really in serious contention were the PDP, APGA, APC, UPP and PPA. But three out of the five  parties and their candidates were the most discussed among the people.

P.M.EXPRESS findings revealed that the trio of Mr Oseloka Obaze of PDP,  the incumbent governor, Chief Willy Obiano of APGA and Prince Tony Nwoye of APC were really in fierce political battle to get the mandate of Anambra people by any possible means.

According to the residents, the fight became tougher following the former governor of the State, Mr Peter Obi’s declaration of support for Obaze which seems to have changed the whole political equation in the state and left many residents undecided on whom to support.

Prince Tony Nwoye’s surprise defeat of Senator Andy Uba at the APC primary election has increased his popularity and was said to be gaining ground on daily basis. But the opposition were said to have been working on a few allegations and remind him of what happened in the government house where some thugs demolished government property during Chris Ngige’s administration.

The PPA candidate, Mr Goddy Ezeemo was said to be a well known personality but his party seemed to be alien to the people of the state, and besides he came from a zone that had produced a governor in the past going by the zoning formula as posited by other parties. He needed to do extraordinary things to improve his chances.

The UPP candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka was said to have suffered a major political setback following the travails of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Chidoka became more popular because of the role he played in the release of Kanu from custody. But it seemed he needed to increase the intensity of his campaign if he really wants to do better in the election.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that the political battle was getting hot after the PDP and APGA reportedly went to the streets of Onitsha and Ogbaru communities and did emergency road repairs to win the people to their own sides. It was learnt that the PDP first went to Obodoukwu Road and tried repairing the road in ‘political sympathy’ for the plight of the people and promised to do more if elected.

However, their plan was countered by APGA who moved to Nkutaku area of Ogbaru and repaired the streets to show the people that the governor was really working for them. P.M.EXPRESS findings also showed that the internal crises in the three major contending political parties, APC, APGA and PDP was affecting their campaign seriously.

One of the factors was the outcome of the party primaries. In APC and PDP some of the contestants were said not to be happy over the outcome and have not joined the campaign of eventual winners. It was gathered that the outcome of the primaries were somehow transparent because they were done live on the electronic media, but the result shocked some of the contestants who were said to be making underground efforts to be sure that their party candidates did not emerge as governor.

Senator Andy Uba had expressed his displeasure over the conduct of the APC primary election and petitioned the party  but the party leadership upheld the primary and since then Senator Uba has not been seen supporting the APC candidate or joined his campaign.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah also opposed the emergence of Oseloka Obaze at the PDP primary and even claimed that Obaze was not suppose to participate in the election in the first place as he alleged that he did not get the required waiver from the relevant organ of PDP.
Ubah has since been suspended by the party and he threatened to go to court to challenge both primary election and his suspension as such he may not support the PDP candidate for now.

The governor, Chief Willy Obiano is said to be fighting his political battle with his benefactor, the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi. The former governor was said to have insisted that he will do anything possible to ensure that Obiano did not return to the government house for second term. It was gathered that Obi was bitter that after ‘installing Obiano’ that he has been sidelined in the affairs of the state and reneged on their earlier agreement.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the crises within the parties was affecting the electioneering campaign and the people were divided over the confusion with some saying that they will take decision when the date gets closer. Meanwhile, some of the major parties have constituted their campaign committees but they were yet to really kick off intensive campaign across the state.