The Stage is almost set for the gubernatorial election in Anambra State and the political gladiators in the state are already jostling around to make themselves relevant and the people conscious of their political ambition. Incidentally too, the lacuna created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been filled up, as the body has come up with a programme for the election. Unless there is a change in the timetable, the election will take place on November 16, this year, while the handover to the elected Governor will be on March 17, 2014, thereby ending the eight years of Mr. Peter Obi’s rule in the state.
As usual, in Anambra where everyone believes that he or she is not only qualified to contest, but even more qualified than any other person, a lot of people have declared their intention to contest, while many more are still likely to declare. Nobody will be surprised at the number of people already on the field of play, especially when one realizes that in the last gubernatorial election in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alone had more than 40 governorship aspirants, whose posters adorned the streets of Anambra State.
Presently, more than 50 gubernatorial aspirants from different political parties and from all the three Senatorial zones in the state have emerged, and it does not appear as if the political field is yet saturated, because many more seem to be putting on their fighting gloves. This is in spite of the fact that the State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has widely announced to all and sundary that the next Governor of Anambra State has been zoned to Anambra North Senatorial District. His argument for that decision which still appears to be an individual’s decision is that Anambra North has so far been marginalized in the scheme of things in the state, because the area has not produced any governor since the creation of Anambra State in 1991. His contention is that fairness demands that Anambra North should be given the opportunity to produce the next governor for the state in order to correct the imbalance.
Much as those pieces of submissions appear convincing and logical, the fact is that many aspirants have emerged from both the Anambra Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts, even though it seems that there are more aspirants from Anambra North than from any of the other two Senatorial Districts.
Those aspiring from the two Senatorial zones whose Governor Peter Obi’s zoning formular does not favour have advanced their argument which tends to project the Governor as trying to bring division among the various Senatorial zones and among people who have been co-existing peacefully since the creation of the state.
They have also argued in unism that the issue of zoning of any elective position in the state is such a serious matter that could not be dictated by any individual, but an issue which could only be discussed and resolution taken on a round – table conference of stake holders. Many of them have declared variously at different fora, that the issue of zoning political offices has never been tabled at any meeting in the state and as such, an imposition of such an issue could not be accepted by the political leaders, no matter how palatable it may appear.
One fact has actually emerged from all enquires over zoning. That fact is that virtually every stakeholder agrees that zoning if adopted could assist in dousing the political tension that is characteristics of elections in the state, but what everyone opposes is imposing it on the people.
It also seems that the aspirants and indeed leaders of other political parties believe that if the zoning policy is adopted now as proposed by Mr. Peter Obi, it would give the Governor’s party-the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) an advantage, as the people of the North could see it as what the Governor and his APGA Government of the State did for them and therefore vote for APGA candidates massively.
The aspirants from Anambra Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts have also argued that in past elections interested persons from the North contested with others and were not barred, so there is no genuine reason why the 2014 should now be reserved for them alone.
It is also their argument that the policy if allowed, will give Governor Obi the opportunity to select a candidate by himself which will make nonsense of democracy we all clamour that it thrives.
Although many people from Anambra North have expressed delight about Governor Obi’s view to draw the governorship race exclusive to them, the general opinion is that the Governor has inadvertently drawn the antagonism of other zones against them as some people have vowed never to yield to such a plan now.
Another serious implication of that policy is that aspirants from the area seem to have swallowed it hook, line and sinker and have come out in large number. There are more aspirants so far from Anambra North Senatorial District now than there had ever been in any past election. Some may see it as healthy, but a proper political analyses will easily convince one, that the situation may eventually yield adverse result to the zone.
The implication of Governor Obi’s policy is that unless the aspirants from Anambra North think fast and act fast, leading to some of them dropping their ambition, they may end up losing even the nomination of their parties to their counterparts from the Central and the South Senatorial Districts. If that happens, they cannot stand for the election proper how much more winning it.
Serious contenders so far from Anambra North Senatorial Zone include :
Prince John Emeka:
Prince John Emeka hails from Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is of a royal family, being the son of H.R.H Late Igwe Emeka. He was former Minister for Water Resources and had contested Senatorial election for Anambra North and won, but later his victory was nullified in the court. He seems to be enjoying the support of a large percentage of people from the Senatorial Zone. According to sources, he is presently believed to be contemplating defecting to the All Progressive Grand Alliance where he intends to vie for ticket to make his gubernatorial ambition a reality. Sources close to him said this decision was predicated on the conviction that the nullification of his electoral victory at the court was plotted by some powerful members of the PDP in the state who believed that if he was allowed to go to the Senate, he would use that position to consolidate his plan for the 2014 governorship election. He therefore feels that being in the same party with such people who can work against him when it matters most does not argur well for him. His other reason however, is that the state governor as the state leader of the party could at the end, convince APGA to conceed the Governorship ticket to somebody from Anambra North. Prince Emeka’s permutation is however now beclouded with uncertainty as to which way even the APGA could go, judging from the recent Appeal Court, Enugu, judgement which pronounced Chief Victor Umeh as authentic National Chairman of APGA.
Hon Victor Afam Ogene:
Hon Victor Afam Ogene is from Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is presently representing Ogbaru Local Government Area in the National Assembly Ogene is one who has age and education to his adventage, and is one of the strongest proponents of Anambra North producing the next governor. Another fact to his advantage is that opinions in his area adjudge him as already doing very well, both in his contributions at the House of Representatives and in drawing democracy dividends close to communities within his area of representation. He was known to have made huge personal donations to the widows, the less privileged and the unemployed youths in his local government area. Hon. Ogene was one of the first group of people to declare his intention to contest the governorship election on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA).
Senator Emma Anosike :
Senator Emma Anosike had been in the Senate using the platform of Peoples Democratic Party to represent Anambra North Senatorial District. He is one of the strong pillars of PDP in Anambra North Senatorial zone and has remained consistent with the party, in spite of all odds.
Senator Anosike has come out strong and has announced his intention to contest the governorship still on the platform of PDP. His earlier position in the Senate and consistency in the PDP and major stakeholder in the politics of not only Anambra North, but the state in general, projects him as one of the gubernatorial aspirants to watch in the 2014 gubernatorial election of the state.
Meanwhile, his posters are already pasted all around the places while his foot Soldiers are going round, telling the people of Anambra State what the former Senator has up his sleeve.
Chief Paul Odenigbo:
Chief Paul Odenigbo was until recently, the former Secretary to Anambra State Government. His position at that level in government has exposed him to high level experience in human management and analysts said that it will be an advantage to him, because he has acquired enough knowledge about the working of government and Anambra State in particular.
Mr. Oseloka Obaze:
Mr. Oseloka Obaze is from Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is presently the Secretary to Anambra State Government, a position which Chief Paul Odenigbo occupied before he came.
Observers are however of the opinion that Mr. Obaze is yet to adjust to the political style of Nigeria and Anambra State in particular, having just returned from America where he lived for a long time. There is also the notion that he is not a good mixer and not many people are comfortable with the way he wants everybody that comes around him to adjust to his American way. It is widely believed that the Anambra State Governor Obi is solidily behind him in the bid to replace him in 2014, a position which political observers said should amount to a continuation of Mr. Obi’s leadership of the state.
Mr. Chinedu Idigo :
Chinedu Idigo hails from Aguleri and before now, had practised law in Lagos. He is from the royal Idigo family and the son of a Prominent journalist, late Chief Gab Idigo.
Mr. Idigo is a very young man whom the youths in Anambra North have indeed endorsed as their choice for the governorship come 2014.
Left to the youths, he has no problem mounting the seat of power, but he has some battle to do with older contenders who feel that he is too young and inexperienced for the position of a governor he wants to occupy.
Dr. Chike Obidigbo :
Dr Chike Obidigbo is a well known industrialist and employer of labour. He hails from Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area. Several opinions are that he is the choice of the State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, although nothing has happened publicly to confirm that opinion.
Observers said that he has all it takes to win the gubernatorial election and lead well, judging from his vast experience in human and financial management. His company has branches across the South- East and has more than 2,000 people in its employ.
It is said that Dr. Obidigbo has sufficient resources to fund his campaign unlike most of the other contenders. His gentle disposition is also said to be an advantage to him.
Mr Patrick Obianwu :
Mr. Patrick Obianwu is a Lagos based architect who feels that there is urgent need for him to come and rebuild Anambra State.
From all indications, he has the will and has in the last few months been making franctic effort to ensure that his dream becomes a reality.
He hails from Onitsha where he had his early life education. Mr. Obianwu is driving towards his ambition through the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). It is however understood that Onitsha people are thinking on the line of conceding the governorship to a candidate from Anambra East or West Local Governments which has larger population in order to ensure that the Anambra North Senatorial District emerges as the governor. If that happens, Mr. Obianwu’s ambition will be jeopardized.
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