THE WAR IS OVER

Governor Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Peter Obi, sink their differences for the good of Anambra, writes Chuks Iloegbunam

News reports were effusive in capturing the significant moment. This was how a leading daily celebrated it: “In what could be described as a surprise to all in attendance, Governor Obiano in a most humble manner apologised to his predecessor (Mr. Peter Obi) for any wrong he may have done him, prompting the former Governor to approach him at the podium and embrace him. Together they knelt down before the altar and the Archbishop, Metropolitan Province of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, prayed for them.”

The epic event was on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at Christ the King’s College (CKC) Onitsha, during the funeral mass for the late Reverend Father Nicholas Tagbo, who was the school’s principal for 18 years – from 1963 to 1972, and from 1976 to 1985. Both Willie Obiano and Peter Obi are CKC old boys who had drunk from the well of character and knowledge that was Father Tagbo. Archbishop Okeke remarked that, even in death, the departed educationist remained a bridge builder. It is this imperative of bridge building that prompted this article. Governor Obiano displayed exceptional grace by publicly apologising in a country where high public office often transformed incumbents into deities for whom the sheerest thought of offering apologies was infra dignitatem.

But Governor Obiano did it before his fellow old boys, before a plethora of the Catholic clergy, before throngs of mourning laity and in front of a battery of television cameras. It is a distinct quality of leadership that lends itself to the rolling out of drums. It was also gracious of ex-Governor Peter Obi, to rise to the occasion and respond positively to the peace overture, which has opened up a window of real opportunity for genuine amity and concord in Anambra. There had in the past two years been acrimony between Obi and Obiano, a high point being Mr. Obi’s ditching of APGA, the political party on whose platform he was Anambra governor for eight years. The gravity of the situation played out in believers of either of the estranged duo, some of whom embedded in opposite trenches and, with or without prompting, hurled mordant missiles with vegetable hatred. Clearly, it didn’t bode well for Anambra State.

This was why the Obiano/Obi embrace, and promise, of lasting reconciliation elicited reactions of spectacular bipolarity: some drowned in a paroxysm of grief; others exuded unprecedented hilarity. The reasons are obvious. Beginning with those palpitating at the prospect of political peace, there is a saying in the Igbo country that, a troubled society is a windfall for titled men. This is because when someone sued his neighbour before titled men, he wedged his petition with tubers of yam, carefully prepared meals and frothing palm wine. Even when the peace initiative was by local leaders, they still exacted fines from contending parties. Either way the chiefs wallowed in endless feasting.

The same scenario has been playing out on the differences between Governor Obiano and ex-Governor Obi. Sponsored foot soldiers, and hungry others anxious for meal tickets, aggregated, especially on the Internet, polluting the atmosphere while persuading the gullible that they were striking blows for real or perceived patrons. Some of them mortgaged broadcast stations and blared interminable outrages. The profiteers from these mercenary activities know that the financial ante would be upped exponentially with the advent of political campaigns. They belong to the clan of “nattering nabobs of negativism” currently in tears because Governor Obiano appears to have pulled the rug from under their feet. They weep because a stop to their restless run of vile propaganda can only mean that they must hop off the gravy train. Like wayward toddlers whose lips are yanked from nipples, they are in tantrums.

But, that is strictly their business. The immediate consideration turns to hailers of Governor Obiano’s perspicacity. They are in order because there is no better alternative to peace. In a sense, however, their joys should only be tentative because peace comes not only through declarations but also by the concrete actions of honest and dedicated people zealous for society’s overall good. Iloegbunam (iloegbunam@hotmail.com) is a commentator on national affairs

THERE IS A LESSON FROM ABURI THAT MUST NOT BE LOST ON NDI ANAMBRA. THIS LESSON COMMANDS ALL TO PUSH THE PEACE OPTION. IT RECOMMENDS FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TO ACTUALISE THE CKC PEACE DECLARATIONS BY GOVERNOR OBIANO AND EX-GOVERNOR OBI