There is
certainly no doubt that Anambra State is the quintessence of what the South
East has to offer. When you think of commerce; the amount of money exchanging
hands daily in Nnewi alone beats all the other Ibo States put together. In
business, its entrepreneurs are certainly on top of their game in innovation. Anambra
State also boasts of intellectuals, Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chike Obi,
Philip Emegwali, etc. In the political arena, Zik of Africa readily comes to
mind. It also boost of entertaining giants such as Osita Osadebe, Oliver de
Coque etc. In the religious arena, Anambra has the first possible Catholic saint
from Nigeria, Iwene Tansi; and a potential Catholic Pontiff, Cardinal Arinze. No
wonder it is aptly named the Light of the Nation. This light has certainly
manifested in various spheres of live in Anambra State.
In the last gubernatorial election, the State featured
so many notable Drs. and Professors as
potential occupants of the Awka government house; by comparison, other
Southeast states pale into insignificance for they produce mainly aspirants with Chieftaincy titles. During that period,
posters of Dr. Andy Ubah, Dr. Ekwunife,
Prof Soludo, Dr. Ngige among others were pasted in all the nooks and crannies of
Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka, and other towns of Anambra soliciting for the peoples
vote.
Today, Anambra is at the dawn of yet another political
dispensation, and as days go by, its momentum is increasing. Unlike the previous
gubernatorial election, this time round, there are several new contenders to the
exalted office. Names such as Igwebuike Ifeanyi Hygers, Obinna Uzor, Ifeanyi
Uba, Chike Obidigbo, Ugochukwu Okeke,
Godwin Ezeemo, among others has emerged as interested in the plum job; and
the old faces such as Andy Uba, Chris Ngige, Annie Okonkwo, Uche Ekwunife are
also in the race.
Unlike previous elections, there are indications that
the old war horses this time around may not make any noticeable impart. Several
reasons account for this. First, the people are tired of hearing the same old refrain
over and over again; secondly, the APC (All Progressive Congress) effect. Since
the APC coalition took off, everyone is a co-founder and an equal joiner; meaning
that all the old power blocks will be neutralized and everyone will start
afresh on a level playing field.
However the most important of all factors and the most
determining will be the availability of cash and the willingness to part with
it easily. As the saying goes here in Anambra, having money and having the
willingness to spend it are two different things. And this is where Ifeanyi Uba
and Godwin Ezeemo enjoy comparative advantage. From all indications, not only
does these two have an inexhaustible war chest to prosecute their electioneering
campaign, but they also have the willingness to spend it. Take Ifeanyi Uba for
instance, his free petrol to Okada and bus drivers in his native Nnewi has
touched the lives of so many indigent kinsmen. His scholarship programmes has also
helped many acquire qualitative education. Recently, he has even taken a step
further by making kerosene available to people in neighbouring towns at
government approved price of N50 per litre (Kero Direct Scheme). These acts
have succeeded in drawing the people closer to him.
Ezeemo has an even more impressive pedigree. His runs
his scholarship program through Charity Ezeemo Foundation for the less Privileged,
this foundation has to date trained thousands of indigent students up to University
level. His philanthropic works in Anambra are legendary. For the first time in
Igbo history, he single-handedly organized a 5 day workshop on Igbo renaissance:
the rediscovering of Igbo values. This workshop brought together who is who in
business, academia, government, traders, students, assembly men, youth leaders,
traditional rulers. People from all walks of life were part of the program. He
even went further to single-handedly build the Ezeemo International Press
centre in Awka. A feat which previous governments in Anambra state has failed
to do, and which has placed journalism in Anambra at a higher pedestal.
Although of humble origin, Ezeemo refuses to see himself as a money bag. A
shrewd businessman to the core; if he were born in foreign lands, he would be
at the same level with the likes of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, or even Bill
Gates.
Plus and Minuses
Uba has an inexhaustible war chest, and no doubt,
money still plays a very significant role in Nigerian politics, this will go a
very long way in helping him achieve his ambition. Although for now, pundits
are linking him with APGA, but he is yet to publicly align with any of the
political parties. No thanks to the crisis in APGA. This war chest is already
making impact. Ifeanyi Uba posters are pasted at all major street corners in
Anambra State. Even Aba in neighbouring Abia State also has posters of Ifeanyi
Uba, no doubt, a great number of Anambrarians live in Aba, and he hopes to woo
them back home to cast their votes in his favour.
Another plus is that he has provided jobs for a great
number of people in Nigeria through his investments in the Oil and Gas Industry
(Capital Oil and Gas). All these people no doubt will vote in his favour. His
scholarship program through Ifeanyi Uba foundation and petrol and kerosene
distribution are things the masses in
Anambra can easily identify with. Age is also on his side.
On the minus side, he is largely inexperience, not
having held any major political post. So he is still learning the ropes. Again,
his approach alienates the elites, which is very bad political decision. But
the greatest minus is his political ambition or lack of it, will totally depend
on the powers that be. Resuscitating
closed cases in law courts by EFCC and ICPC is nothing new Nigeria.
Godwin Ezeemo, aptly called Achinagbaraoha Anambra
State is a self made man. According to the man, he has neither handled any
government contract in Nigeria, nor benefited from any political largesse. So
he is not indebted to anyone and has no godfather to report to. Most importantly,
his investments in Anambra State alone, are employing thousands of Anambrarians. If this number alone with their
families decides to cast their lot with the Umuchu born billionaire, the
election may as well be a concluded issue in his favour. Give a man fish today,
tomorrow, he will need another fish, but teach him how to fish, he will be
independent forever. This axiomatic
truth describes Ezeemo approach to running Anambra State. He has empowered
thousands of youths through his various youths empowerment programmes.
Achi has an inexhaustible war chest for his
electioneering campaign, despite this, he says, he is out to serve and it is up
to Anambrarians to look at his records and make up their minds. It is not a do
or die affair. Members of the Old Aguata
Union (OAU) including their Youth wing has cast their lot with Ezeemo. Another
great plus f or Ezeemo is his relationship with members of the pen profession.
They see him as their benefactor, besides, he is also a publisher, with a
magazine and daily newspaper in his kitty. And having completed the Ezeemo International
Press Centre, his relationship with the
media is great and growing, and in politics having control of information
sources counts for a lot; it can be used
to mould and influence people’s opinion.
From all indications, the race to the Awka Government
House may likely throw up these two as the major contestants; for this reason, detailed
analyses of several factors and variables relating to them are presented below.
Age
Age they say is just a number and a feeling of the
mind; as such its relevance as a political factor is severely limited, however,
that does not diminish the fact that it still plays a role and can be used to
an advantage to garner up votes, especially when the race boils down to neck to
neck competition.
Uba is in his
forties and this fact will undoubtedly attract several youths and young voters
to his side, and this fact is well known to him for some of his posters bear
the message: ‘The Youths Choice.’ Several great world leaders in the
contemporary times assumed office when
they were in their forties: Clinton, Obama, Blair, and so many others. In today’s changing world there is a
shift to elect the younger leaders. Even the incumbent governor has hinted that
he would prefer someone in his forties to take over from him.
However, this fact certainly does not so much obtain
in Nigeria. Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and the present Jonathan were
all above 50 when they assumed office. Especially Jonathan who was able to attract voters across all age
groups, especially the youths. Ezeemo is in his fifties and this fact might
actually serve as an advantage to him, for one, it simply means he has been
around for a longer time; again, age
being a thing of the mind, you are as old as you feel. Some people become
bedridden at 30, while others are still playing 90 minutes football at sixty.
Although it is a thing of joy that the two contenders do not have any known
physical or health challenges.
Wealth
Since Nigerians are by nature shy of declaring their
assets for several reasons, none which include the taxman; one cannot say for
certain how much each of these men are worth. But one thing for sure is that
both are bastardly rich and billionaires. This fact will greatly work in their
favour as they hustle for the Awka government house.
In Nigeria money greatly plays a prominent role in
politics. These business moguls are expected to deploy their vast resources in
the pursuit of their ambition. Not only are they wealthy, they both exhibit a very
high propensity to spend. As one
musician aptly puts it: having money and
having the willingness to spend money are two different things.’ However the
verdict in that its not easy to determine who is wealthier, Uba is MD/CEO of
Capital Oil and Gas and Ezeemo is the
Chairman Orient Group. These two organizations are highly diversified business
ventures.
Experience
In terms of
politics, the two individuals are new kids on the block; none has ever held an
elected office before in Nigeria. Experience is an important factor in
politics. Apart from being the best teacher, it also goes a long way in helping
win elections.
Though Uba was somehow allegedly linked to Jonathan
campaign and Ezeemo was known to have sponsored some Assembly men. But what
they lack in experience they make up in their ability and capability to attract
formidable strategist to their camps. Ohamadike, a one time elected local
government chairman is spearheading Ezeemo’s campaign. Uba is romancing with
some Assembly men to attract them to help his election bid.
In all, there is strong recruitment drive for hired
hands and volunteers. However, as the bible saying goes: the hired hand will
run when the wolf attacks the sheep,
only the good shepherd will lay down his life for the flock. Likewise only
those who are intrinsically committed to their course will be committed to make
the difference that eventually win elections.
Integrity
Having integrity is really important when it comes to
winning elections especially in developed countries. The story in Nigeria is
quite different, although it is hoped that we will eventually get there. Any politician
who has been alleged to have been involved in any kind of wrong doing has been
tainted politically. This is where Uba has to redouble his efforts to get
Anambrarians to forget the fuel subsidy saga. Luckily enough, Nigerians are
credited with short memory, so achieving this will not be a daunting task.
A famous author once wrote: “A person is not given
integrity. It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times.” This statement aptly describes Ezeemo; he is
the beautiful bride that attracts suitors. He is yet to be associated with any
kind of negative publicity. And when the man speaks, he exudes humility that gives the listener reason to believe in his
honesty. If he carries on like this till the polls, he stands a good chance of
carrying the election. This factor will
likely draw educated followers who abhor cash and carry politics.
Political Platform
This factor although
relevant , but not as relevant as it was in the past 10 years or so when
a PDP ticket was automatic guarantee at the general election; gone are those
days. However, in Anambra today, 3 political parties hold sway: PDP, APGA, and ACN.
Of these 3, PDP and APGA are embroiled in some sort of crisis, leaving ACN as
the only party totally intact.
Uba has been linked to APGA and Ezeemo to ACN. As the
saying goes, a divided house does not stand. Here Ezeemo possess an advantage
over Uba, and unless the APGA crisis is resolved soon, chances are that it will
most likely cost them the polls. Securing ACN ticket is Ezeemo’s primary
concern for now; however the APC factor mentioned earlier might even end up
being an advantage to him rather than a hindrance.
On the other hand, any of these two contenders that
fails to secure his party’s ticket can fall back to any of the smaller parties
for ticket. This has happened in the past and chances are that history will repeat itself.
Philanthropic works
Uba and Ezeemo are well known philanthropists. Uba
works with Ifeanyi Uba Foundation, while Ezeemo uses the Charity Ezeemo
Foundation for the Less Privileged.
The Capital oil boss uses his Petrol Station at Nnewi
to provide free petrol to Okada riders and mini buses once a
week; and the Kero Direct Scheme provides Kerosene to various towns and
communities at the government approved price of N50 a litre. These acts has
endeared him to beneficiaries in Anambra State. He also provides scholarships
to indigent citizens.
Ezeemo also provides scholarships and youth empowerment
programmes. During the flood that ravaged parts of Anambra North in October/ November
2012, Ezeemo was the first to respond to the plight of the flood victims with
supplies. It is also on record that he is a Platinum contributor to the
rebuilding of the burnt hall of Carpenters and Allied Product Dealers
Association, Bridgehead Onitsha. However his crowning glory in philanthropic
work was the single-handedly completing the Ezeemo International Press Centre,
Awka for the members of the pen profession. This project which has defied
several and successive administration in Anambra State stood him out as the
greatest philanthropist of our time and earned him NUJ Anambra, Man of the Year
Award 2012.
Endorsement
Endorsements are really important especially in
winning elections; if in doubt, consider President Jonathan who was endorsed by
more than 40 political parties as their sole presidential candidate for the
2011 general elections and how he swept
the polls.
Ifeanyi Uba has successfully gotten endorsements from of a socio-cultural group – Igboezue Unity
Association and Ora Nnewi. The Ora Nnewi endorsement is to be expected after
all Uba is their illustrious son. The Igboezue endorsement will not count for
much since the group draws membership from all the 5 Southeast States, however
only Anambrarians are eligible to vote.
Ezeemo has secured the endorsement of Old Aguata Union; this Union made up of all
the communities in the 3 Local government Areas of old Aguata viz. Orumba North, Orumba South and
Aguata has 45 communities; and even the
Youth wing of Old Aguata Union just recently in a well attended investiture ceremony at Okopoly conferred him
with the title of Patron of the Union. This endorsement will go a long way in
helping him capture the votes in this Southern tip of Anambra State.
Media coverage
In politics as in many other things, the man who
controls the media has a very significant advantage. Malcom X said “The media’s
the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent
guilty and to make the guilty innocent and that’s power. Because the control
the minds of the masses”. The importance of controlling media houses cannot be
overemphasized; military strategist first take control of Radio and TV houses
in the event of a coup or war. Uba has no known affiliation to media houses.
Although all his activities are well covered in the news but it would have been
better for him if he was on the driving seat.
Here Ezeemo has the greatest advantage, not only does
he own 2 publishing houses, he also built a gigantic International Press Centre
in Awka. This singular act has endeared him to members of the pen profession. A
feeling of camaraderie has developed between them. This comparative advantage
will take him to greater heights in the nearest future.
Although there are several other factors and variables
with which comparison can be made, however, it was limited to the above. As
Anambrarians prepare to elect a new occupant of the Awka government house, it
is hoped that the exercise be carried out in atmosphere of peace and
friendliness, devoid of bitterness and rancour. It is a duty we owe to future
generations.
