Why We Endorsed Obiano for Re-election
As the people of Anambra State prepare to go back to the polls later this year, Chike Nwosu, a lawyer, and leader of Greater Anambra Initiative (GAIN), a group of professionals and business men from the state, speaks with Bennett Oghifo on the group’s pre
How really did the Greater Anambra Initiative (GAIN) come about and what are the group’s objectives?
GAIN is a policy and advocacy coalition of professionals and political stakeholders of all persuasions from Anambra State. You must be an Anambrarian and must believe in its positive development. We shall be celebrating our 10th anniversary on 29th of May this year. Our short, mid and long term goals include the promotion of good governance and support for credible, honest and sustainable development. Over the years, we have also supported the entrenchment of the culture of discipline in the body politics and leadership in Anambra State.
How and where does the group draw its membership?
GAIN is a mass movement with membership in Nigeria and the Diaspora. We have functional offices in Abuja, Lagos and Awka. In this era of ICT, we interact with the wider society on various social media platforms. With the wide network, we are able to influence the outcome of political issues in the state, without been necessarily rooted in a particular party.
Since GAIN is not aligned to any particular political party, how does it hope to influence the next governorship election in Anambra?
GAIN has always been interested in who rules Anambra State. As you are aware, Anambra is the most sophisticated state in Nigeria with the highest number of billionaires and great percentage of intellectuals across the globe. These billionaires unfortunately have constituted themselves into political w ar lords. We always try to advise them that success in private business is not the same as success in public service or leadership. We are happy they are listening.
We are encouraging entrenchment of strong political culture that would be sustainable. We want to build new leadership from where leaders with credible pedigrees would emerge. We are getting it right in Anambra. We may not have reached the Promised Land, but certainly, we have left Egypt.
Several top politicians have lined up for Anambra State governorship. Who among them do you support?
It is not a matter of whom we are supporting. It is a case of sustainable development. It is a question of credible leadership. It has to do with performance and being sensitive to political mathematics in Anambra. We are not interested in the quantitative. We are interested in the qualitative. We are interested in building a strong political culture. The answer id subsumed in the Latin maxim, Res ipsa loquitur (The thing speaks for itself). The incumbent governor has the following advantages: He has secured the state; he has done interventions in Education, Infrastructure and Agriculture; he has created employment & stopped youth restiveness (that is why Anambra appears to be the safest state now); and he just commissioned a cargo airport.
We need to encourage him to actualize his mid-term and long-term plans. Anambra has started exporting food. He needs to commis- sion this airport in the next three years. Most importantly, he has managed our funds well.
So it is implied that you support the reelection of Governor Willie Obiano?
Yes, for the reasons enumerated above, he has our solid endorsement. No one comes close. Besides, any other person as governor now, will upset the political equilibrium instituted in Anambra.
Many people believe Anambra has had some of the best governors in recent time, what accounts for this?
Yes. Like I said Anambra is blessed. We are almost getting it right. Governor Chris Ngige did his best, Peter Obi laid a solid foundation, and then Obiano is doing the interventions. By the time the next governor comes in 2021/2022, we would have gotten it right.
What is your rating of Governor Obiano and which specific policy of his has been most outstanding?
The incumbent has done well. He needs the next four years to actualize the mid and long term projects. He needs to consolidate. We do not want abandoned projects in Anambra State. Before Obiano, Anambra was like a glorified village. There was no nightlife. Now we have streetlights everywhere. You have presence of police and vigilante everywhere in the state. He has restored confidence. Before now people were spending so much money-hiring police when travelling to Anambra.
In real terms, what does your endorsement of the governor mean?
Our endorsement means a lot, because GAIN is the conscience of the state. The teeming youths know that this man is responsible. It is very difficult to deceive people now because of the swiftness of information. The governor is level headed and a good fund manager.
In recent weeks, the governor has been mentioned in some scandals. How will those issues affect his chances of reelection?
I think he is a man who waits upon the lord. Life is all about perspectives. I think the problem of the Governor is that people wonder where and how he gets money for his developmental strides especially in this period of recession and limited resources. He should be commended for being a good fund manager, a critical thinker, and a strategic planner. Look at the quality of interventions he has done in the area of education. In the past three years, Anambra has been oscillating between 1st and 2nd position in the performance index in the committee of states.
What is the reason behind the ongoing feud between Governor Obiano and his predecessor, Peter Obi?
The history of Anambra cannot be complete without Peter Obi. He restored confidence to the people of Anambra. He brought Anambra back from political insanity. He is one of our heroes. We owe him a lot. May the Almighty continue to bless him and grant him long life.
How will the Obiano/Obi feud affect the oncoming governorship contest?
Obi left a legacy of service. Governor Obiano is consolidating and exploring new areas. Every Anambra knows that Obi’s endorsement of Governor Obiano is a faith accompli. He believes in credible leadership and positive development. Obiano has the capacity and competence to move the state to the next level. We are talking of performance, honesty, consistency, legacy and landmark interventions.
The APC federal government appears prepared to wrest some states in the South East. Do you believe APC will take Anambra in 2017?
Like I said, we are not talking about political parties, but individuals and performance. I don’t think that any APC governor has done better than Governor Obiano. Do a comparative analysis between Anambra and the best APC State. You do not achieve greatness by proclamation. Obiano’s achievements are visible.
The Catholic Church wields a lot of influence in Anambra politics. Is this real or imagined?
Even though ndi Anambra are 85% Catholics, however, we do not mortgage performance on the altar of religious sentiments. We believe in God, but we are hardworking people. The truth is that this man is vertically and horizontally ahead of his competitors.
Let’s look at all the parties in the state and their strengths going into that election…
You cannot diminish the strength of any party, but an honest comparison would convince you that Governor Obiano is head and shoulder superior and above the emerging aspirants and contestants.
Have you considered that your organisation will be termed an APGA machinery set up primarily to help Obiano return as governor?
GAIN would be 10 years on the 29th of May this year. Honestly so many of us have not met him in person. However, his achievements are landmark legacies. GAIN is older that Obiano’s government. The leaders from inception in 2007 have been people with pedigree. Please do a check on the previous leaders and the current leadership. These are people who have excelled in their areas of endeavors. It includes political leaders, bankers, captains of industries, lawyers, engineers, and consultants.
The incumbent has done well. He needs the next four years to actualize the mid and long term projects. He needs to consolidate. We do not want abandoned projects in Anambra State. Before Obiano, Anambra was like a glorified village. There was no nightlife. Now we have streetlights everywhere. You have presence of police and vigilante everywhere in the state