Obiano’s Non Performance, Soludo’s Major Challenge

From AFAM AMINU CHIMEZIE (ONITSHA)
Former Central Bank Governor and APGA Governorship Candidate in the November 6th Anambra State Governorship Election,Prof Chukwuma Soludo is a man to beat in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State.

However,he remains the man with the greatest challenge in this election.His towering achievements in both private and public life is, however, being threatened by Gov.Willie Obiano’s abysmal performance as Governor of Anambra State.

If left alone, Prof. Soludo would dwarf his fellow contenders to the office of the Anambra State Governor because of his economic brilliance and wide experience, and connections as an international economist and administrator. But unfortunately, his sworn attachment with the present Governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano is a presumed spoiler to his decades of ambition.

It should be recalled that it was the unhindered and undisputed excellent performance of former Governor Peter Obi as Governor of the state that paved way for Obiano’s emergence as Governor of Anambra State.

Obiano had no problem at the polls during the election that enthroned him even as a green horn in Nigerian politics because of the calibre of his then benefactor and godfather,Mr.Peter Obi.

Under Peter Obi Anambra State network of roads were adjudged to be the best in the South East;while inter-community roads were accorded a priority.

Under former Governor Obi’s watch, education was one of the topmost priorities of his administration where all public schools and some lucky private schools were provided with one or two modern school buses, no matter the location of such schools.

Public hospitals were also refurbished and equipped with modern science equipment and all that was required to boost primary and secondary education in the State.

Peter Obi’s landslide policy of relinquishing schools to their original owners (mission schools) was a ground breaking policy of the then administration under Peter Obi.

Today,those legacies are gone as lack of maintenance,weak governance,lack of political will among others have weakened Obiano’s wheel of governance in Anambra State.

Unfortunately, Obiano’s kiths and kin from Omambala axis comprising Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, and South Local Governments have not benefited immensely from the outgoing administration which hitherto was a major reason for Obi’s desire for enthroning him as a successor.

It may have taken donkey years for a Governor to emerge from Omambala axis if not for the benevolent consideration of former Gov.Obi at least to have a man from one of the remotest areas of Anambra State to develop the area.

However, it is disheartening to learn that millions of citizens from Anambra East and West, Ogbaru and Ayamelum are still leaving in darkness due to nonelectrification of their communities as well as lack of accessible roads to most rural communities in Anambra West, Ayamelum, and Ogbaru which are major food baskets of the State.

The people of Innova, Nzam, Igbokenyi who are probably Igala speaking communities are yet to benefit from any meaningful infrastructural development from the present administration.

Now it is understandable that the purpose of former Governor Peter Obi’s choice for a Governor from that remote and disadvantaged area of Anambra State has been defeated.

No wonder Mr.Obi has been going round the state begging for forgiveness from people for the regrettable choice of Obiano despite all opposition who was single handedly picked, sponsored and delivered as Governor of Anambra State.

It’s a gory sight traveling round the state today with severe pot-holes on our roads.At 3:3 /Nsugbe/Otuocha Road and Nwafor Orizu College of Education Road among others, including major roads in the commercial town of Onitsha, several of the roads are today in dilapidated condition with Gov.Obiano not feeling the heat of opposition nor pressure to do the needful on the roads.

These glaring evidences of bad governance in Anambra State is undoubtedly putting Chukwuma Soludo in a tight position to rule the state after Obiano.

Peter Obi was able to convince voters in Anambra State without stiff opposition to cast their votes for a successor in the name of Gov.Willie Obiano because of his wonderful performance as Governor.What platform  or achievements would  the present Governor use or apply in convincing voters to vote for his eventual successor.

How would Gov.Obiano feel while standing before millions of deprived voters in Anambra State to campaign for his preferred successor.
Which roads in Anambra North Senatorial Zone or other places across the state would the Governor and his campaign train ply while going for the campaigns to convince Anambrarians to vote for his choice?

The incidence of bad governance in Anambra State is glaring with touts all over Onitsha, Nnewi,Awka,Ekwulobia and other communities killing, maiming and stealing from the potential voters in the guise of generating  revenue for the State which  allegedly are not used bto improve the lot of the citizens.

Why maim or kill citizens whose votes are needed to make your preferred candidate Governor?

Again, the inability of Gov.Obiano to end revenue touting in Anambra has exposed him as an inefficient and weak public administrator.Obiano’s inability to take charge of his government and attract development to his suffering people of Anambra West and Ogbaru has further diminished his record as an astute administrator whose interest for his people was a mere lip-service.

Soludo my dear,I wish you a great success,but you have a non performer as godfather and it is already working against you.

However, may God bless your ambition in the struggle for “Agu Awka” Government House.