In Defence Of Governor Obiano

MAZI EJIMOFOR OPARA

My political allegiance, asides vacuous party alliances, rests largely on the quality of personalities found across different political parties. For instance, irrespective of political party, certain individuals come across as leaders of thought. Persons who are more concerned with outcomes. In my list, I have an array of them. And just recently, I have added Governor Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike Aguleri) to the pile.

This is a Man who was elected Governor by the collective recognition of relevant stakeholders strictly on the merit of his personal successes. Before now, Gov. Obiano has been an effective Manager of Men and resources. His multi-sectorial experience is second to none, especially when compared to previous Chief Executives of Anambra State.

Obiano, a man chosen to balance the power and infrastructural deficit in the Northern parts of Anambra State, is inarguably working according to script.The collective and personal development that has greeted that part of the State is commendable. His spread to other parts of the State can also be scored above average.

Worthy of mention is the goodwill he enjoys amongst the Civil Servants and Pensioners in the State. His timeous response to worker’s welfare is enviable. As at today, it is almost impossible to defeat an Obiano in any contest where Anambra workers and pensioners would be the umpire.

While many score him low in his handling of political issues, such as the rustic relations with his immediate predecessor, Mr Peter Obi, his poor handling of APGA primaries etc. Obiano has excellently ran a stable government to the amazement of naysayers. Therefore, it may be safe to describe Gov Obiano as a better Administrator than a politician.

My view is that, he consciously leaves politics to the Party, not minding that he bears the brunt of negative outcomes as the Leader of the Party. It wouldn’t have been out of place to openly endorse President Buhari, knowing that APGA, under his predecessor, adopted a system of cordial relations with the party at the centre in exchange for their regional relevance and survival.

The General Gbor distraction was a script, poorly written, to distract a people from willful hate. Under the circumstance that gave rise to the Gbor alternative, one could cut the Governor some slack. However, whatever prep that gave rise to the Governor’s open detachment from the Gbor distraction may not be unconnected with his predecessor’s overbearing sense of entitlement that saw him downplay any attempt at formally notifying or consulting with his State Governor on his fledging VeePee ambition.

This negligence by Peter Obi was, to say the least, spiteful. It is akin to foretelling the Governor that his quest for the Presidency is solely to cut a pound of flesh from the Governor. At this point Obiano, like any other politically conscious being, understood that the First Law of Survival is Self Preservation. Obi’s secret vendetta was emanant.

The plan A, which was to truncate Obiano’s second term, failed in 2017. The plan B, this time an attempt to get at Federal might then frustrate Obiano, has obviously been thwarted. Now the plan C, which is to dominate the State Assembly and possibly impeach Governor Obiano is still underway. By March 9, this Saturday, this process will begin. What is, however, notable is that the March 9 State Assembly elections will be another test of the Governor’s goodwill amongst the larger voting population constituted by Civil servants and Pensioners who, by the last check, are still very enthused about their “Alert Governor”.

I hope Governor Obiano will not be left by ndi Anambra to suffer the outcomes of a process established by his predecessor. A process that sees APGA working with and for the Government at the Center.

May Obiano succeed!

 

 

Mazi Ejimofor Opara writes from Awka, Anambra State.