By Chuks Iloegbunam
Chukwuma Charles
Soludo was the guest lecturer in Awka during the 3rd Anniversary of the inception of the
Willie Obiano Administration. The renowned economist’s magisterial presentation
was laced with numerous economic, political and social nuggets, all of which
boiled down to his unequivocal endorsement of Governor Willie Obiano for a
second term of office. His views make sustained interrogation imperative. But,
some background information is apposite.
Professor Soludo is far from the first Anambra personage
to endorse Governor Obiano’s bid for a second tenure as Governor of Anambra
State. The impressive list contains such names as Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the
first civilian governor of the new Anambra
State ; Dame Virgy Etiaba,
a former Governor of Anambra State, and Chief Emeka Sibeudu, who was Deputy
Governor to Mr. Peter Obi. Others include Senators Ben Ndi Obi, Annie Okonkwo
and Emma Anosike, none of whom is of Governor Obiano’s ruling All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA), as well as Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, the former Nigerian
Education Minister. Elder statesmen like Chief Alex Ekwueme, a former
Vice-President of Nigeria, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Commonwealth
Secretary-General, have equally thrown their lot with Governor Obiano.
Non-politicians like Dr. Cosmas Maduka, the versatile industrialist, and Chief
Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Car manufacturers have equally given Governor
Obiano the thumbs up.
*Soludo and Gov Obiano |
Indeed, the support for an Obiano second term
is gradually becoming a movement. It has gone beyond personalities and
attracted the remarkable attention of groups that cut across socio-political,
religious, and professional divides. In this category are to be found the
Anambra North Peoples Assembly (ANPA); the Old Aguata Union (OAU); the
Federation of Old Nnewi Division (FOND); the Anambra State Association of Town
Unions (ASATU) and the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association,
(ASMATA.) Yet, that is not all because the Anambra state branches of Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC); the Anambra State
Traditional Rulers Council; the Traditional Prime Ministers Council, the
Anambra state branch of Southeast Women of Substance and the United Anambra
Youths Assembly have equally endorsed Governor Obiano to continue with his
exemplary leadership.
All the endorsements are held by one powerful
bond – the fact that Governor Willie Obiano has acquitted himself creditably in
the onerous responsibility of directing the affairs of Anambra State .
In unison they sing the joyous song of his achievements: Obiano has made
Anambra the safest state in the country. He has transformed the Awka capital
territory from a provincial enclave to a worthy state capital. He has revolutionized
agriculture, making Anambra a rice-producing state of note and a leader in
dairy farming. He has sustained the prompt and regular payment of salaries,
gratuities and pensions. He has displayed an uncommon sense of empathy for the
sensibilities and sensitivities of Ndi Anambra. For these and many other
reasons, they have taken the attitude that a second term is the appropriate
reward for Obiano’s services to his people.