Chris Ngige and Peter Obi Class Acts in Anambra State
by Samuel Obukwelu, Sr
The
entry of Dr. Chris Ngige into the political arena of Anambra State, no
matter how surreptitiously, has been the best thing to happen to that
State. Compared with the previous two civilian Governors of the State,
namely, Dr Ezeife, Harvard trained scholar and, Dr. Mbadunuju, US
trained lawyer, Dr Chris Ngige, a home grown medical doctor, has shown
that being educated abroad does not hold the key to good governance.
During the reign of Dr Ezeife, there was no single project initiated
by his administration. In fact, the street lights which adorned the
main street in the State capital, Awka, were dismantled without
replacement The covers for the drainage system along the main road in
the city, Zik Avenue, were removed and, have remained open till today.
The open gutters have become death traps for the elderly and the
handicapped.. Anambra State government under Ezeife was the most
destructive the state has ever had.
In
1999, Dr Mbadunuju became a gubernatorial candidate for the PDP. He
campaigned with the Bible in hand and Anambra people who have respect
for the words of God, believed Mbadunuju wholeheartedly. They
swallowed both the line, the hook and the sinker. Mbadunuju was
overwhelmingly elected the governor of Anambra State. There were songs
in every heart that, “Happy Days Are Coming Again.” The events
of the next four years betrayed both their expectations and desires.
The governor pounced on the teachers and blatantly refused to pay
them their salaries. Schools were closed for about a year. There were
no meaningful protests or resistance either legally or physically.
This continued for sixteen months. The tepid response he received from
the teachers gave him the impetus to garnish the salaries of the civil
servants. Once again, there were no opposition to this brazen
effrontery. The Labour Union did not have the courage to take the
Governor to court. The atmosphere of intimidation and suspicion which
enveloped the government offices was too thick. Governor Mbadunuju
went further and, refused to pay the retirees their pensions. He
verbally insulted the pensioners, calling them “DEAD WOODS.” He
told them that they should be taken care of by their children and,
therefore, they should not look up to the government for financial
support. I wonder whether Mbadunuju realised that these retirees were
not asking for any handouts from the government. Rather, their pension
is their right and their remuneration for having given so much of
themselves to their state and country, in their younger years. The
Pensioners did not get their pensions for over 14 months. A good
number of them died either on the way to the government treasury, or
standing on the line in front of the treasury office in anticipation
of receiving their pensions. Those who survived the waiting at the
government treasury offices went home empty-handedly, with sullen
faces and frigid manners. In short, Mbadunuju was killing Anambrarians
softly!
Fortunately for Anambra State Mbadunuju lost out during the nomination
process: the only PDP incumbent Governor who was not re-nominated for
2003 elections. Dr. Chris Ngige who was gunning for the Senate on the
platform of Peoples Democratic Party,( PDP), made a move to vie for
the nomination for the highest office in Anambra State: The Governor.
And he won. Then came the actual elections. Let me set the scene so
that all can see through their minds’ eyes. In Anambra state, the
fight was principally between PDP and All Progressives Grand Alliance,
(APGA). The later was regarded as Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s
party because he was the Presidential flag bearer of the party. It was
akin to the situation in 1983, during the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s
time. Nigerian Peoples’ Party, (NPP), was synonymous with Zik and, his
popularity was sky high. That was why NPP swept the polls in 1979
elections in the South-East. In 2003 everyone expected APGA to repeat
the performance of NPP because of the tremendous popularity, respect
and goodwill Ojukwu commanded. Unfortunately, PDP had different plans
for the elections. PDP political machinery in the state was
unprecedented. PDP borrowed the grand design used by the National
Party of Nigeria, (NPN) to dethrone NPP in the old Anambra state in
1983 elections. APGA lost almost all the State Assemblies, House of
Representative, Senatorial and Gubernatorial elections. The most
shocking, surprising and devastating loss was that suffered by Peter
Obi, APGA gubernatorial flag bearer in Anambra State : Ojukwu’s own
state. Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared
Dr.Chris Ngige of PDP the winner and, he was installed as the Governor
of Anambra State. The other losing gubernatorial candidates, including
Mr. Peter Obi, the APGA candidate, trooped to the Election Tribunal,
seeking justice. The rest is history.
For me
to catalog the achievements of Dr. Ngige will be repeating what very
many people have said. Suffice it to say that despite the dubious way
and manner he got into the office of the Governor, Ngige has, no
doubt, set a standard yet to be equaled in governance in Anambra
State, if not in Nigeria. Dr. Ngige has become the yardstick for
assessing good governance, to the envy and admiration of his fellow
governors. I do not, therefore, envy Peter Obi because the shoes he is
stepping into are very big. He will need all the courage and prayers
he can muster to sustain the pace which Dr. Ngige has set. I am
confident, though, that Peter will succeed because he has the interest
and passion of the masses at heart. I was at home during the 2003
elections and, I was privileged to attended his rally at the capital
city of Awka. One could see flashes of enthusiasm, determination and
commitment in his campaign. We pray that he remains focused and not
distracted by some individuals, either from within or from outside the
state, who want to destabilize Anambra State. Anambra State has
suffered immensely since 2003: from the aborted attempt to kidnap an
incumbent Governor, to the destruction of the few infrastructures in
the State. Shockingly, nobody has been prosecuted in all these
criminal acts. Mr Governor, please, do not allow yourself to be
distracted from fulfilling your well-grounded promises to the good
people of Anambra State. You have to live true to the biblical
interpretation of your name, “THE ROCK” and, under your leadership,
Anambra State will maintain her pride of place in governance. Chris
Ngige’s gracious exit and, your acknowledgment of his excellent
performance as Governor, are class acts.
The
final court verdict was rendered on Wednesday, 15th March.
Some people have compared it with the gory incident that took place in
the chambers of the Roman Senate when Julius Caesar was murdered and,
which has become the proverbial “Ides of March.” As a
Christian, I look at it in a different perspective. The verdict was
rendered on Ash Wednesday, a day that heralds the six weeks of
preparation for Easter. Public Penance, Reconciliation, Forgiveness
and Love, still exist in the ceremony of the Ashes. Believers
acknowledge their limited, imperfect mortal nature as they accept a
cross of ashes placed on the forehead with the traditional reminder:
“ Remember you are Dust and, to Dust you shall return.” Peace
has eluded Anambra State for a good number of years and, we hope that
the this Easter is a harbinger of love, peace and tranquility in the
State.
On a
personal note, the state capital, Awka town, is an eyesore to any
visitor. In fact, it is the worst capital of all the state capitals in
the Federation. The town is, therefore, crying up to the heavens for a
good facelift and, deservedly so. The capital of the state should be a
showcase for the State. Unfortunately, this state capital has been
neglected by all the Governors, from Dr. Ezeife to Dr. Ngige. The
State capital needs water supply and good roads. Awka town is no
longer for Awka indigenes only. Awka town is now for the whole Anambra
State citizens.
