Anambra 2014: New kids on the block There has been tactical silence by almost all the governorship aspirants in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election billed for April 2014. Unlike in the past when posters would take over major streets of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi towns and its environs a year to the election time, there has been a lull in political activities in the state. The development it was gathered could be traceable to the silence by the major gladiators in Anambra power play owing to uncertainty in the political climate. Saturday Independent investigation reveals that all the top contenders have chosen to first understudy the strength and strategies of their possible rivals before making public their intentions to contest. Similarly it was also learnt that most aspirants are waiting for Governor Peter Obi’s expected joker that would replace him in the embattled All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before jumping into the political war theatre. To political watchers, the status of the governor’s candidate would certainly determine the style of politicking in the state and would also inform the caliber of gladiators that would influence the tempo of the game. Some believe that the new political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) when eventually registered would also affect the dynamics of the 2014 gubernatorial poll in the state and so contenders seem to be taking their time. A section of Anambra political watchers are of the view that the eventual winner of the election may be a new entrant that has not had a shot at the position. The prediction for now is that there would certainly be clash of the gladiators which would culminate into settling down for a consensus candidate who do not belong to any side of the political divide. Already in some quarters, campaign against the old war horses and gladiators whose faces have never stopped to appear at every bill board in the state since 2007 have started. Most Anambrarians are insisting that there is the need to have a new blood and a new face. But opponents of this agitation have described the move for a new face as fatal and attempt to encourage mediocrity against meritocracy, just as they argued that the governorship seat of Anambra State is not a tea party but a show of strength, political experience and competence. The feeling is that Anambra State does not need a governor that would first spend two years learning the job and trying to undergo the tutelage of understudying files and memos. The perceived new kids on the block in the state’s politics are of the view that there is nothing new in governance, insisting that having managed human and material resources in their respective walks of life, they are equal to the task. That perhaps explains why at the moment about twenty-seven new entrants into the governorship race have emerged. But despite the number, there is still a group of very serious contenders who are already threats to the big gladiators. They have already made very strong impressions in the minds of most Anambra voters and investigation shows that their personalities are already scaring some acclaimed top contenders. They have also broken the ranks of political party structures and ripped off a chunk of the supporters of the so-called big boys of Anambra politics. Cross sections of analysts are of the view that 2014 is capable of producing political upset that may shock bookmakers. Expectedly, there are also some lightweight contenders who at the last minute will negotiate for a settlement or as running mates. There are those who are in the race because the governor said he would like his successor to come from Anambra North senatorial zone and they are praying to receive the governor’s endorsement. However a rundown of few of the new top contenders paint a picture of men that are out to not only make a difference but also create an enduring impression. Godwin Ezeemo Age is on his side and experience has also given him a greater advantage. It is his philanthropy that has taken him to greater heights. Although it is not clear which of the political party’s platform he would use to run but he has already built structures across four political parties and still holding talks with others. Ezeemo foundation has given him credit and being an employer of labour, the man has, on record, employed over 2,000 persons so far and according to his supporters, his special agricultural scheme for school leavers would soon commence and it is aimed at engaging at least 600 youths yearly. The Umuchu-born businessman is said to be holding back the name of the party he would eventually run with and pundits are of the view that he has what it takes to turn around the political fortune of any party he decides to use as his platform. He is humble and says that if he is given the opportunity to serve, he would not fail the people. “It is the people that will decide who would manage their affairs and if they choose me, I will not fail them. I am prepared to do my best for my people. Anybody can be used as an instrument in God’s hands to build the society and if I am chosen, I shall do nothing but obey the rule of God and the collective wishes and aspirations of the people” he said. Dr. Igwebuike Ifeanyi Hygers The former respected military man with several years of experience in the private and public sector did not waste his time trying to sample political parties. He is already in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and it is already clear that no other aspirant can upstage him at the party primary. He sees his ambition to become the governor of Anambra State as a unique opportunity to improve on his empowerment projects as well as improve on the state of infrastructure in the state. Incidentally, he is from the same area with Ezeemo, the powerful old Aguata bloke that is capable of changing the tempo of Anambra politics should they endorse any of their own. This, it is believed, would certainly enhance the chances of the candidate in the election proper. He is an aspirant that believes in politics without bitterness and he is of the view that the game must be played according to democratic principles. He told Saturday Independent that he has what it takes to fix Anambra State and make it the fastest growing and diversified economy. He promised to tackle insecurity among others. Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah He is not new any longer to Anambra people. It is believed that his business and political foes who tried to pull him down ended up making him more popular than he should have been. They even succeeded in drawing the sympathy of Anambra people for him. Ubah, the initiator of kerosene revolution in Nigeria, he is a household name among the people. He has not chosen any political party yet and he is yet to declare his intention to run for the seat. However his body language has continued to betray him and his supporters have refused to stop talking. The Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil & Gas Limited however feels that Anambra people are already waiting for him to set the ball rolling. He told Saturday Independent “God has used me to empower people in education through scholarship up to university level. I have tried to absorb not less than seventy percent of them into my many businesses, the oil and gas industry where I operate. You know that when you give one person employment, you have succeeded in feeding ten others who may be attached to him or her. This has been my principle and it further gives me joy to see people gain from the bounties of my philanthropy”. Ugochukwu Okeke He became prominent during the season of flood disaster in Nigeria and he made spirited contribution towards assisting the flood victims through his foundation. The Abuja-based businessman who hails from Ihiala local government area is so far the youngest of the aspirants and certainly not a push over. Okeke has succeeded in establishing his campaign organisation structure in all the local government areas and is already holding talks with two political parties. He is of the view that power must change from the old to the younger generation, insisting that the trend of government lately demand innovations to take up the challenges of time.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 12:15:18 +0000
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