Disinformation And The Poverty Of Denominational Politics In Anambra State

JUVENTUS CHUKWUNWEIKE OKOLI 

Anambra State has been blessed with good governors, who worked tirelessly to see the state growing from strength to strength in different areas of development . We are amongst the very few states in the federation that have greatly benefitted from the leadership of God-fearing leaders who wilfully decided to do good, using their exalted office as the Commander-in-Chief of the state to bring about great infrastructural development, sound economic growth, pivotal lead on education, security, health, agriculture and industry, the litany can continue ad infinitum.

Ndi Anambra should be thankful to most of the governors, who rather than waste the state’s resources on frivolities as in some states, used same for development and good governance and so, for the bene commune – the common good. I am therefore very surprised to observe that rather than appreciating God’s special gifts of great leaders to our dear state and longing to keep getting such sound products as governors in the state, some religious leaders and by extension, their followers, have imbibed the spirit of segregation and parochial politics and thus at every election season in the state seek to derail our political track. They are ever quick to fan the embers of denominational or religious sentiments and constantly make misleading and provocative statements that could destroy our young growing democracy. This has repeatedly occurred in the state. Recently attacks have been directed to the Catholic Church on the deliberate lie that she has produced more governors in the state, contrary to the facts and figures on ground.

This write up is neither meant to speak for the the Catholic Church, as I have no ecclesiastical authority to do so, nor for the Government of Anambra State, as the government has never requested me to speak in its name on this. I am rather airing my view on the subject matter as Onye Anambra and an eligible voter in the state. 

I write to say without mincing words that bringing denominational sentiments into Anambra politics is an ill wind that will blow us no good. Those who have formed the habit of using this to attract undeserved sympathy and votes are not doing the state any good, rather they are creating gulfs between our common brotherhood and friendship as Ndi Anambra. Those who go this way are simply making mockery of their Churches and themselves. We are aware that man by nature is a “political animal” as well as a “religious being”. He is also said to be of dual composite of body and soul. The spiritual and canal aspects of man cannot be separated while man lives here on earth. The clergyman is a human being and by logic then a political animal.  

Man’s duty is to use his composite parts to beautify himself and to make his world more habitable for himself and his neighbour, while he is still here on earth. And as he does this, he remembers God, the Creator, the judgement and life after here.

The Nigerian constitution and indeed all other laws in the world have guaranteed the freedom of religion and right to association as some of the fundamental rights of man. Thus each person is to be given the opportunity to freely choose and belong to the faith he wants to profess; same happens to his free choice and right of association, the latter launches him into the political climate where he chooses who rules him. Religious leaders and Christians in Anambra State must learn to respect these constitutional rights of man and allow him the right to exercise same without hindrances and interferences. 

Democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is meant to be one where ideas are freely canvassed after which  majority decisions prevail. Instead of coming to the media to raise false alarm of suppression and tension for us at each electoral period, let those involved in this politics of argumentum ad misericordiam learn to play politics without much ado about nothing! Politics is all about number, as the highest number of votes carry the day. It is sad and unfortunate watching videos and reading media reports of clerics and their faithful mounting the pulpit or stages at each given time to attack their counterparts for non-existential claims of not giving them the opportunity to produce governors in the state. Available records in the public domain prove the claim a wrong – headed, desperate campaign.

Yes, it is on record that since old Anambra State was created from the former East Central State on 3rd of February, 1976, Anambra State, dating from the said date till this Obiano era, has gotten altogether TWENTY civilian governors and military administrators. Eight (8) out of this number are ANGLICANS, five (5) are CATHOLICS, three (3) are MOSLEMS and the rest are people of other faith, namely, METHODIST 1, SALVATION ARMY 1,  EVANGELICALS 1 and PENTECOSTAL 1.

Reflecting purely on this figure, I kept thinking and asking to know where the marginalization cum intimidation which a particular Church preaches and spreads each time gubernatorial  and indeed other elections come up in the state.

Let us remember that facts are no longer hidden, the records are available once you source for them.

I must say it again here that no man is exempted from participating and playing partisan politics by the constitution save on duly established exceptions. The leaders of the various Churches and some stakeholders like the royal fathers and mothers might seem “somehow restricted” by virtue of their calling and vocation; such restrictions are not personal but office – based. In view of the foregoing therefore, every clergyman or traditional ruler who feels challenged by the status quo is encouraged to resign and join partisan politics. He or she can then through the ballot mandate right whatever wrong he or she is agitating for. Let these videos and written fake reports of denials and disenfranchisement of a denomination in various media outlets be disregarded.

I will unequivocally state without fear or favour, that no Church has been holding another from producing governors in Anambra State. Churches are not political parties. Political parties, not denominations, conduct primaries that produce candidates for elections.
Again, Churches must refrain from pushing people of criminal mindset and poor administrative acumen to political gallery all in the name of Church membership and same faith syndrome. Instead of crying domination in the media, let political interests present attractive candidates and ideas and gain the needed numbers. Let us steer our society away from the path of selfish religious propaganda; lo, Ndi Anambra murunu anya!

ADDENDUM
*Verify the List of all Governors of Anambra State, covering the old Anambra till date; as provided by some scholars of history and be the judges:

1) Brigadier Gen John Atom Kpera. Military Administrator, EVANGELICAL, fromMarch 1976 to July 1978.

2) Col. Datti Sadiq Abubakar. Military Administrator, MOSLEM,from July 1978 to October 1979.

3) Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo. Civilian Governor, ANGLICAN, from October 1979 to October 1983 (His political party was NPP). He later converted to the Catholic faith, many years after being the state governor.

4) Chief Christian Chukwuma Onoh. Civilian Governor, ANGLICAN,from October 1983 to December 1983 (His political party was NPN).

5) Rear Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke. Military Administrator, ANGLICAN, from January 1984 to August 1985.

 6) Air Commodore (Cdr) Samson Emeka  Omeruah. Military Administrator,  METHODIST, from August 1985 to December 1987.

7) Col Robert (Bob) Nnaemeka Akonobi. Military Administrator, CATHOLIC,from December 1987 to August 1990.

8) Lt Col Herbert Obi-Eze. Military Administrator, ANGLICAN, from August 1990 to January 1992.

9) Navy Captain Joseph Abulu. Military Administrator, CATHOLIC, from 27th August 1991 to January 1992.

10) Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Civilian Governor, SALVATION ARMY, from 2nd January 1992 to 17th November 1993.(His party was SDP).

11) Assist Inspector General of Police Dabo Aliyu. Military Administrator, MOSLEM, from November 1993 to December 1993.(Police Force)

12) Col Mike Attah. Military Administrator, PENTECOSTAL, from 9th December 1993 to 21st August 1996.

13) Group Captain Rufai Garba. Military Administrator, MOSLEM, from21st August 1996 to 6th August 1998.

14) Wing Commander Emmanuel Ukaegbu. Military Administrator, ANGLICAN, from 6th August 1998 to 29th May 1999.

15) Dr (Barr.) Chinwoke Mbadinuju. Civilian Governor, ANGLICAN, from 29th May 1999 to 29th May 2003. (His party was PDP).

16) Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige. Civilian Governor, CATHOLIC, from 29th May 2003 to 17th March 2006.(His party was PDP).

17) Sir Peter Onwubuasi Obi. Civilian Governor, CATHOLIC, from 17th March 2006 to 3rd November 2006. (His party was APGA).

18) Dame Virginia Etiaba. Civilian Governor, ANGLICAN, from 3rd November 2006 to February 2007. (Her party was APGA).

*The Supreme Court returned Sir Peter Obi’s mandate and he continued till March 17th 2014.

19) Sen. Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba (ANDY UBA). Civilian Governor, ANGLICAN, was elected and sworn in as the governor of Anambra State on 27th May 2007. He was removed by a supreme court decision on 14th June 2007. He governed the State for 17 days.

20) Chief (Sir) Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano. Civilian Governor, CATHOLIC, from 17th March 2014 to date.

– Juventus Chukwunweike Okoli is an advocate for good governance, democratic justice and independence.