ANAMBRA ELECTION AS TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY
The November 18 governorship election in Anambra State has added a feather to President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and lastly, the indigenous people of the state for conducting themselves in civilised manner during the election. The election campaigns kick-started on positive trend with policies, issues-based campaigns rather than personal attacks dominant in the society, and ended fantastically with congratulatory speeches against do-or-die politics.
President Buhari opened the floor by congratulating the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano immediately after emerging the winner as announced by the returning officer, and then, his All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Tony Nwonye followed suit. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer, Mr. Oseloka Obaze who earlier attempted to act Peter Orubebe’s style subsequently followed the footsteps of other counterparts to endorse the victory of APGA’s candidate.
The re-elected governor, Chief Obiano also dutifully contributed immensely by allowing a level playing ground with no record of bullying, molestations or harassment of opponents. Indeed, this is remarkable. Despite some political arithmetic that manifested by defection of some notable APGA chieftains to other political parties, the governor having coped with the state fairly in the concluding first tenure, remained unperturbed believing that equity would certainly come to his aid. And it did. The footnote is that the people of the state have grown beyond godfatherism to stand for visionary leadership and policy-driven politics.
In the acceptance speech, Obiano showed maturity by inviting all his defeated contenders with positive ideas for teamwork in moving the state forward irrespective of party affiliations. Be it ‘easily said than done’, basically, he has extended a hand of fellowship as done in civilised societies. By the manner the election was delightfully concluded, it will not be surprising to see the state making tremendous progress from its present position. Already, the state government has development templates in place ensuring that every nook and crannies of the state gets a quota from the state government through one project or the other.
By the renewed mandate, it entails that all the ongoing projects and tasks across the state are as good as concluded and inaugurated, and new ones likely kicking-off soon. It is a new dawn for Anambra State. It implies there is growth socio-politically, and no longer the usual year-in, year-out, ‘Obi is a boy’. All the state funds that would have been earmarked for electoral disputes starting from the tribunal up to the apex court can now be positioned positively for adding values to the state, above all, shutting doors of aimless distractions. The landslide victory is not one that can be taken for granted. It is the verdict of the people; the high, the bourgeois and the commoners. The costly confidence the electorate reposed by their renewed mandate despite threats from the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to boycott the election or face the music shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Splendidly, the governor is prudently in good relationship with numerous intellectuals and economists from the state especially the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, among others. That’s commendable and a desideratum. With such a tendency, the second term, aggregately eight years in office should afford the opportunity to move the state to a higher dimension vis-à-vis infrastructural development. With the clear-cut victory, it is time to reciprocate the good gestures, reverence and confidence from the people. The contract is clearly no longer with any godfather but with the people. The election, with no gun shots, rigging or snatching of ballot boxes as recorded in the past, other activities under the control of the state government should also be handled with the highest degree of decorum and civility. By the victory, the people have spoken; vox populi, vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).
Whilst congratulating President Buhari, re-elected governor, Obiano and the good people of Anambra for a peaceful poll on one hand, I condole on the other, for the transition of eminent personality from the state, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in London hospital. Anambra having produced countless prominent figures including the first President of Nigeria, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, former Senate President, late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, among others, irrefutably has all it takes to set the pace in the socio-economic and sociopolitical arenas. Carl Umegboro, Awka, Anambra State