This action would effectively signal “the beginning of the end” for Governor Peter Obi’s eight-year rule in the state. It would also bring a close to the tenure of a man who has used the courts to obtain, retrieve and interpret the tenure of his mandate.
Anambra State has the record of being the only state that has produced four governors within the space of four years (between May 29, 2007-2011).
It has changed governors from Chris Ngige (who was removed by a court for not winning the 2007 elections despite the announcement of INEC) to Peter obi (the political cat with nine lives who went to the court to obtain his mandate from Ngige, Etiaba and Uba), Dame Virginia Etiaba( Obi’s former deputy) who was sworn in after the unjust removal of Governor Obi by the state house of assembly and lastly, Senator Andy Uba (who won the 2007 elections that should not have taken place in the first instance).
Saturday’s gubernatorial elections in the state will bring to a close a long period of campaigns and more campaigns by the political parties and their candidates in the state. This election has witnessed lots of political campaigns by aspirants trying to sway the minds of the electorates in their favour in order to clinch the ultimate prize of being declared the winner of the Nov 16th election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This election is unique in its own sense. It is believed that this election would test the popularity and survival of all political parties in the south east geo-political zone of the country.
For instance, this election could help determine the fate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state and the country as a whole. Anambra State is the only state that is controlled by the party and losing it to another party might spell doom for the party baring in mind the controversies it generated during the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress(APC). This makes it an all win situation for the party in the state as a loss could be the nail on the political coffin of the state.
Also, this election is believed would help check the acceptability of the All Progressives Congress in the south east zone. The APC has campaigned round the length and breadth of the state knowing the importance of this election to its survival in the zone. If it loses this state despite their effort, it would be left with only Imo state in the zone and this might not augur well for its bid to win the 2015 general elections in the zone. The party knows it cannot afford to lose this state if it has to secure the general elections in its kitty come 2015.
For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recapturing Anambra is one mission it is bent to achieving. The campaign train in the state that boasted a large number of political gladiators from around the country including President Goodluck Jonathan, underscores the importance of the state to the party. The PDP knows that losing Anambra again on Saturday would have some consequences for 2015 and so it is working round the clock to ensure it wins come Saturday
The Labour Party on its own is working round the clock to ensure it comes out victorious on Saturday. It has a lot to gain by winning this election as it could make it the beautiful bride by 2015. The state that has only Ondo State in its kitty is working so hard to add Anambra State to the list of states controlled by the party. This would go a long way in boosting its potentials in future elections around the country.
There are other political parties contesting on Saturday in Anambra State like the PPA and others and it would not be in any party’s interest to ignore an opponent come Saturday as upsets are likely to occur.
With the elections just a few hours from commencing, eyes are being focused on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing ground for all parties and most importantly to conduct an election that would be certified as free, fair and credible. Despite the assurances of President Jonathan and the body itself in its readiness to conduct a free and credible election, there are still doubts in certain quarters on the commission’s readiness and sincerity in achieving this feat. The commission has come up with various measures to ensure that the elections are conducted in a credible manner and also to ensure that no one is disenfranchised. One of such measures is by displaying the voters’ register of the state which makes it possible for all parties to know the exact number of voters who are expected to vote.
Such a move is expected to guarantee fair play as no fictitious number would be announced at the end of the voting exercise.
INEC has also provided more polling units to decongest the crowd likely to be stationed at each polling booth. This is expected to ensure that people can vote in good time and no one is disenfranchised come Saturday.
Apart from INEC, Security agencies are expected to play a crucial in the conduct of the elections. The Police on its part have imposed a 36hour restriction on movement and has also deployed more of its officers to the state to ensure there is calmness and maximum security during the elections.
The Inspector General of Police has also deployed the DIG in charge of operations to the state to ensure peace and security come Saturday.
The nomination process that produced the candidates of the political parties for Saturday’s elections did not come without some forms of upsets. This election has already caused upsets within some political parties as relatively unknown candidates were declared victors during the primaries of the party against some already established names.
In the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the emergence of Dr. Willie Obiano over the likes of former governor of the central bank, Professor Charles Soludo, Honourable Uche Ekwunife, member Federal House of Representatives amongst others came as a rude shock to many.
The PDP also produced an upset with the emergence of Mr. Tony Nwoye over the likes of Senator Andy Uba and others. Mr. Nwoye’s emergence created some cracks within the party in the state and was contested in court for a long period of time.
In the APC, the emergence of Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige did not come as a surprise to many. The process that led to his emergence also witnessed the stepping down of another candidate, Senator Annie Okonkwo for him.
His candidature is deemed to be popular and also has the blessings of some members of the top echelon in the party.
In the Labour party (LP), the emergence of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah from Otolo in Nnewi also did not produce any form of discord between the party. It is being said in certain quarters that Dr Ubah carefully studied his political options carefully before joining the Labour Party. This is probably the reason why he did not seem to contest against any known opposition before clinching the party’s ticket.
Meanwhile, some parties and their candidates have begun to trade accusations and counter accusations at each other in the prelude to the elections.
For instance, the APC has accused the candidate of APGA of multiple registrations. These allegations they insist contravenes the electoral act and demand his disqualification and arrest by the relevant agencies.
Also the APC and its candidate also accused Governor Obi and his party APGA for the killing of over 28 worshippers at the Adoration grounds in Uke. APGA has come out to refute this allegation and has fired back at the candidate of APC for being responsible for this.
Profile of some of the candidates.
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah (LP)
Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah was born on the third day of September 1971, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonsus Ubah of Umuanuka in Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State. He is a businessman with interests in diverse sectors of the economy most notably the oil and gas sector. He founded Capital oil from the scratch and has built it into being a major player in the petroleum industry. Dr Ubah has promised to ensure the security of lives and properties, reform education in the state and provide opportunities for the youths create a strong economy in the state, revitalize agriculture in the state, provide world class healthcare in the state, develop public infrastructure, reform government and ensure accountability and transparency. Ifeanyi Ubah is considered a green horn in the political arena but his acceptability amongst the people is overwhelming.
Disregard him at your own peril. He is popular among the youths and many who desire a change from the old guard. His business acumen seems to be opening ways for him in his campaign. He started his campaign long before anyone and has managed to keep himself strong in the race.
Senator Chris Ngige (APC)
Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige needs no introduction to the people of the state. He is a former governor of the state and currently a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Ngige brings along with him experience on the job having governed the state for three years. His works whilst in office from 2007-2010 has endeared him to the people and he is a major contender in the race.
Having failed to upstage Governor Peter Obi in 2010, many believe this is his time and the results of Saturday’s election in the state would prove them right or wrong.
Dr. Willie Obiano (APGA)
Dr Willie obiano is the candidate of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance in the state. Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano holds a B.Sc. Second Class Upper in Accounting from Unilag (1979) and an MBA in Marketing also from same university. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA). Mr. Willie M. Obiano served as an Executive Director of Business Banking at Fidelity Bank Plc.
Mr. Obiano started his banking career as a supervisor with First Bank of Nigeria in 1981 from where he moved to Texaco Nigeria plc, an oil marketing company as an Accountant. Mr. Obiano rose to the position of Chief Internal Auditor in Texaco before joining Fidelity. In Fidelity, he has worked at various departments ranging from operations to marketing and internal audit.
He served as an Executive Director of Fidelity Bank Plc. Dr Obiano is backed by the incumbent governor of the state and has a large following in the state. He has promised to consolidate upon the gains of Governor Obi.
Mr. Tony Nwoye (PDP)
Mr. Tony Nwoye was born as a twin on 13th September 1974 to Chief Lawrence and Mrs. Christiana Nwoye of Offianta Nsugbe in Anambra East L.G.A of Anambra state.
Tony Okechukwu Nwoye’s rise to the top echelon of national politics has been nothing short of meteoric. This simple man with a very humble beginning had his early education at Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha where he demonstrated outstanding academic excellence that immediately earned him admission into the prestigious College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria. He furthered his quest for medical training at the College of Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
While he has always demonstrated uncanny interest in political affairs from his childhood days, his political career blossomed during his days as a medical student in the University of Nigeria.
From asserting himself as an opinion leader in the University of Nigeria’s Medical Association (UNMSA) even as a very junior student, Tony led the movement that tenaciously but diplomatically pressured the authorities of the University of Nigeria into lifting the ban on students’ unionism after many years of having the student movement under locks and keys.
Following that, he won a seat to represent medical students in the Student’s union House of Representatives, a feat that is notable as Tony was coming from the youngest eligible medical class.
He subsequently contested and won the Speakership of S.U.G House of Representatives, defeating older and more established student politicians in that epochal feat. He was the first medical student to serve in that capacity in the history of University of Nigeria.
He ran a very vibrant House, fought tenaciously for the rights of the students and refused to compromise on his principles of honest/sincere representation.
He has the backing of the top echelon of his party as demonstrated by the calibre of political stalwarts that has graced his campaigns including President Goodluck Jonathan.
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