For politicians in Anambra State, including the incumbent, Chief Willie Obiano, it is almost as if the governorship election slated for November 2021 would hold tomorrow. Across the major political parties, stakeholders are busy working round the clock regarding who to support as well as mobilizing their associates and foot soldiers.
Already two major issues, namely zoning and godfathering, are gaining prominence in the various conversations about the essential qualities of Governor Obiano’s prospective successor in two years’ time. In November 21, 2017, against all odds, the incumbent governor was re-elected for a second term. But the irony of what is currently playing out in the state is that most of those who contested against Obiano even in 2003 are still in the field searching for the people’s mandate to be his successor in 2021. Most of the political stakeholders believe that apart from riding on the coat tails of former Governor Peter Obi to become governor, Obiano has not displayed the political sagacity or performance that could qualify him to implant a successor or become a godfather.
Sources in Government House, Awka, explained that it was on account of the general belief that the governor’s power of incumbency was not potent enough to impose a successor that not less than ten billionaires have indicated their interest to contest the 2021 governorship election. Prominent among the billionaires are those that contested the governorship in 2013, including Dr. Andy Uba, Tony Nwoye, Ifeanyi Ubah, and Godwin Ezeemo. Other that have so far signaled their intention to participate in the 2021 gubernatorial poll include Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (PDP), Dr. Godwin Maduka (PDP), Dr. Chido Nwankwo, Dr. Chinue Ozigbo (Chairman of Transcorp), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (APGA), Senator (Iyom) Uche Ekwunife (PDP), Dr. George Moghalu (APC), Hon Chris Azubogu (PDP), Johnbosco Onunkwo (APC), Stanley Uzochukwu (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APGA).
But perhaps learning some lessons from Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s experience in the recent Bayelsa State governorship poll, where the governor failed to produce his preferred candidate as successor, Obiano is said to be widening his circle of political contacts to ensure that his succession adorns the badge of inclusion.
One of the strategies, according to sources, was the recent setting up of Anambra State Development Plan Committee, led by Prof. Charles Soludo. Speaking when he inaugurated the committee, tagged Anambra Vision 2070 Committee, Governor Obiano said the team was put together to design a 50-year development template for the state. While charging the members to do a thorough job, the governor reminded them that “the task of the committee includes crafting the Anambra Vision 2070 Development Plan that would also touch on security of the state, determine critical milestones and success factors in the plans.”
The areas of reference, according to Obiano, include defining the mission and vision statements, identifying specific sectors of focus, creation of broad objectives for the sectors, development of programmes and strategies, and categorising them into short, medium and long-term frameworks. The governor disclosed that the committee’s report “would assist subsequent administrations in the state in its development drive.”
But no sooner had the governor finished inaugurating the committee than the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the contraption as an enlarged campaign committee to canvass support for the committee’s chairman, Prof. Soludo. One of the men on the 46-man committee regretted that it was becoming obvious that the governor wants to impose a successor, wondering why he should set up a development agenda midway into his second term.
He said: “It does not make sense that such a bloated committee should be set up two years to the end of the governor’s second term. If indeed the governor wants to raise a developmental agenda, he should first tell Ndi Anambra how far he has implemented the Anambra Integrated Development Strategies (ANIDS), including all the laudable economic development plans he enunciated in his first year that have all been abandoned.
“Why should Soludo be made to chair the committee when he is saddled with similar assignments by the Southeast governors and the recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as member of the Economic Advisory Committee? No matter how he tries to hide it, the fact remains that Obiano wants to be political godfather.”
Other members of the committee are as follows: Primus Odili (Executive), Prof Kate Omenugha (Executive), Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme, (Executive), Mr. Mark Okoye (Executive), Patrick Okigbo III (Technocrat), Chris Okoye, (Technocrat), Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu (Technocrat); Capt. John T. Okakpu, (Technocrat), DIG Val Ntomchukwu (Security Expert), AIG Okey Ezike (Security Expert), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo (Transcorp, Hospitality Expert), Mr. Maduka Emelife, (External Ndi Anambra), Henry Manafa, (External Ndi Anambra), Hon. Chudi Offodile, (Political Class), Dr. Ikem Odumodu (Technocrat).
Others are Joe Anatune (Technocrat), Dr Ndi Onuekwusi (Rep of Anambra – Professionals), Prof. Idemobi, Nneka Ekwuozor, Professor Uche Amazigo, Bryan Mezue, Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom, Engineer Emeka Ezeh (former DG, BPP), David Onyinyechi Agu, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, (Technocrat), Mr. Mac Atasie, (Secretary), Amb. Emma Obi Okafor (fmr Deputy DG, NIA), Dr. Emma Onyilofor, Amb Chudi Okafor, Dr. Oscar Onwudiwe, (President of Aka Ikenga), and C-Don Adinuba (Executive).
The Guardian
