BY ROBERT OBIOHA
Everywhere in Anambra State, the political temperature has risen to an all time high. And the talk at every nook and cranny of the state is the November 16, 2013, gubernatorial election and who among the candidates will become the governor of the state.
There is indeed no doubt that all other activities in the state have been dwarfed by the game of politics and the aroma can be perceived from GRA Onitsha to Governor?s Lodge at Amawbia as well as from Aguleri to Nri. It has spread from Agulu to Ekwuluobia as well as from Nnewi to Azia and Ihiala.
In fact, the race to Anambra State Government House has commenced in earnest with political parties bringing forward their candidates for the November 16 gubernatorial election in which Governor Peter Obi?s successor will be decided by the electorate.
The huge number of aspirants for the job is a demonstration of Anambra people?s politicalawareness and maturity. Twenty-three candidates made the list of candidates for the poll as published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday. Some of the candidates include, Chief Willie Obiano of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr. Chris Ngige of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of PDP, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party and Ezeemo Godwin of PPA.
That 23 candidates are vying to succeed Peter Obi shows that politics is very much alive in the state. It proves the dictum right that the more, the merrier.? I share the belief that the more the candidates, the better for the voters to make a choice of who among the numerous contestants would be chosen to oversee the affairs of the state in the next four years.
The fact that many candidates have shown up for the race is a strong indication that Governor Peter Obi has done well in the state. Apart from his numerous sterling achievements, Obi has stabilized Anambra politics and raised the bar higher.
As things stand now, it can no longer be an all comers affair. Only those with pedigree, sound education, integrity and track record of achievements will have the courage to ask the highly discerning Anambra electorate for their votes in the forthcoming poll.For those aspiring to be in Obi?s seat come November 16, it will never be an easy task.
The contest will be so keen that only the best will indeed emerge victorious, all things being equal. The next governor of Anambra State will be determined by so many factors in view of the peculiar nature of its politics. Besides the fact that Obi?s successor will be educated and intelligent, the candidate must appear to satisfy the political climate and emotions of the three zones that make up the state.
The candidate?s political party as well as where a candidate comes from will presumably play a great role in determining the winner of this particular election.Anambra is lucky that for this election, they have an array of good candidates to choose from. Many of them are educated. They have varying experiences which if elected will bear on the job of governance, which remains a daunting task. Obi has raised the bar. Anybody coming to succeed him must fall in line or be rejected by the electorate.
The continuity paradigm must not be missed by an Obi successor. Let me point out here that the bane of Nigeria?s politics, Anambra State and Igboland inclusive, is lack of continuity in governance. It is time our people understands that government is a continuum.
Therefore the incoming administration in Anambra State should continue from where Obi stops come March 2014. Continuity is what has made Lagos State administration to be working and indeed one of the best in the country. Such also worked in Akwa Ibom where Chief Godswill Akpabio has done wonders.
The Anambra poll will be a keen contest among the major contenders. They are Obiano, Ngige, Ukachukwu, Ubah and Ezeemo. When further pruned down, it will be a hard contest between Obiano and the rest. I say this bearing in mind that APGA is indeed a party to beat in this contest.
Apart from being the ruling party, it has mass following in the state. The Ojukwu mystique will play a major role in this election as well as zoning, which Governor Peter Obi and APGA stalwarts believed would ensure justice and equity among Anambra people. To them, it is right and proper that Anambra North produce the next governor because since the creation of the state over two decades ago, the North has not produced a governor.
While Anambra Central have ruled the state for over ten years, the south has ruled for six years or thereabout and the North nil. If zoning is anything to go by, Willie Obiano is in safe hands and may likely cruise home to victory come November 16.
Besides zoning, Obiano has what it takes to be the governor of the state. He is a well-read person, an accountant and an accomplished banker that rose to the position of executive director. He has had a distinguished career at First Bank, Texaco Worldwide and Fidelity Bank. Obiano is bringing to Government House Awka his 23 years of meritorious service in the various companies he has worked.
His deputy, Dr. Nkemakonam Okeke, is also a well accomplished academic and first rate economist from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Together, they will drive the continuity vision of Obiano?s administration come November 16.
Ngige will put up a good showing at the poll in view of his popularity as a past performer. But if zoning is a determining factor, Ngige?s zone will be his greatest undoing.
Besides, his continued defence of the recent deportation of some Igbos from Lagos, despite wide condemnations by all Igbos, because of his APC connection, is not to his advantage. In a normal contest, the other candidates, who will be disadvantaged on account of zoning, Ukachukwu, Ezeemo and Ubah, will however put up a fair contest.
Above all, most political pundits and analysts are giving the victory to APGA candidate. Moreover, Anambra is an APGA state and they will not fail to retain it. It is going to be a titanic battle between APGA and other parties.
Source: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/opinion/obiano-and-anambra-2013-poll/
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