Obiano Magic – Sealing The Cracks Between Churches In Anambra State
Governor Willie Obiano has continued to surprise his critics and admirers in a manner that leaves no one in doubt that the hand of God is truly upon him. And this is why. Apart from his seemingly mazy run through all the nebulous litigations that sought to snuff life out of his regime even before it could fully take off, the former banker has continued to win the approval and endorsement of well-known hardliners in Anambra State.
It was to his credit, for instance, that the phenomenal new generation
novelist who was recently listed as one of the 100 most influential
people in the world by Time magazine, Chimamanda Adichie accepted to
deliver the lecture that marked his first 100 Days in office. In the
truest tradition of iconoclasts and gifted artists, Adichie has an
aversion towards the establishment. She is reputed to have turned down
so many efforts by different state governments and the Federal
Government to woo her to their side in the past. In fact, it is
rumoured that an attempt by the incoming administration in this regard
also hit the brick-wall. But Adichie did not just accept to speak at
Obiano’s 100 Days in office but did so with an enthusiasm that turned
to a magnetic enchantment that held her audience in a spell.
Similarly, in the past one year, Obiano has broken the walls that
alienated most of Anambra’s illustrious sons and daughters from the
government of their state. Prominent opposition figures in like Prince
Engr. Arthur Eze, Sir. Emeka Offor, Chief Chris Ubah and Dr. Nicholas
Ukachukwu who were all opposed to Obiano’s predecessor were happy that
finally there was a bold effort by their governor to give them a sense
of belonging. Their appreciation of Obiano’s inclusive administration
showed itself in so many ways but the most notable was their
enthusiastic embrace of the governor’s effort to raise funds to
strengthen his war against crime in the state. While Prince Engr Eze
was reported to have doled out $1m, Ukachukwu had also made a
significant donation to the project while Offor and Ubah choose to
identify with the governor in different other ways. In fact, until
the recent National Assembly and House of Assembly elections, governor
Obiano had enjoyed a mutually respectful relationship with the former
“enemies” of the state. Even Senator Chris Ngige was overheard at the
traditional wedding ceremony in the Nwandu family in Enugwu-Ukwu late
last year whispering to his close friends that Obiano had the carriage
of a true governor. Pointing at him, Ngige had told his men that
Anambra had finally got a governor that reflected the full glory of
his office. It is remarkable that even Ngige who ran a bitter campaign
against Obiano in the gubernatorial elections, fighting him to the
highest court in the land could pay him glowing tributes even if
muffled.
But so far, the most significant incident that shows that Obiano is
finally in a good place with Ndi Anambra was the powerful encomium
showered on him by the Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, Most
Rev Nichola D. Okoh during the recent consecration of three new
bishops at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. What makes Okoh’s
plaudits particularly pleasant is the fact that barely eight months
ago the entire Anglican Church in Anambra State was up in arms against
Obiano, organizing massive demonstrations in Onitsha with placards
that purposely stirred emotion in certain directions. Although it was
a clearly premeditated incitement that was intended to feed the embers
of the loud disquiet between Catholics and Anglicans, the gale of
protests across Onitsha caused needless anxiety in the state. But
Governor Obiano had remained unfazed by the antics of people who
incited the church against him and had worked silently to earn the
confidence and trust of the Anglicans.
Most Rev. Okoh brought this to the fore at a pre-consecration dinner
in Amawbia when he told the gathering that “One thing very special
which is very dear to my heart is the effort the governor is making to
create a cordial relationship between the Roman Catholic Church, the
Anglican Church and other religious bodies in the state. Until now
there has been a very toxic relationship between the different
denominations, but the governor does not believe that if we have one
aim, one purpose – to win souls for Christ, we should be fighting
ourselves. So, the governor is a crusader and the crusade he has
embarked upon is already yielding fruits. For instance, he has gone
round all our dioceses and met with the bishops and the clergy and has
in the offing meetings with other organizations in the church, not
only in the Roman Catholic Church but in Anglican and other groups.
So, I think he has come to transform Anambra and take away the
acrimony that has been in existence and make everyone friends of one
another. We commend this. He is also funding education for churches
across denominations and this is something that is going to really
unify the people that no section of the state feels marginalized. So,
the governor has come to do something here. In the same way, in the
medical field, he is supporting our hospitals and the hospital
belonging to other missions. We appreciate it.”
Speaking further, the Most Rev. Okoh reasoned that “the Church cannot
make progress without peace. It is in this sense that we appreciate
the harmony you are trying to bring about between the Anglicans and
the Catholics. Sometime ago the tension rose so high and got to a
pitch but thank God that wisdom is prevailing and we hope that on both
sides, we will work with wisdom to ensure that God is honoured, not
man. And that we understand whom we are following and follow him
without discrimination. It is very necessary that we work very very
hard to break down the barriers and re-orientate ourselves because if
we will not live together then we will die together. Injustice will
never lead to peace. I call on all of us, to in our own little
corners, work for peace and ensure that Anglicans, Pentecostals,
Catholics and even the traditionalists are given fair treatment so
that all of us can cohabit and promote the wellbeing of our dear
country.”
Such weighty comments coming from the leader of the Anglican Church in
Nigeria carry a lot of meaning. Given that the church is not given to
frivolities, it is evident that everything is gradually turning around
for the good of Governor Obiano and for the good of Anambra State;
that what his enemies had actually done to wrong-foot him, making him
out as a Catholic governor who was rabidly anti-Anglican has turned in
his favour. It might also help to know that the governor has worked
tirelessly to earn the trust of other denominations in the state. He
specifically ensured that no denomination was left out the last time
he made donations to mission schools and hospitals, spreading the
gestures to Catholics, Anglicans and the Pentecostals.
In all, although it might sound rather too simple, but what is not in
doubt about the harmony that is beginning to bloom among the churches
in Anambra State is that Willie Obiano has touched everyone with love.
And the people are beginning to see themselves in a new light;
rediscovering the ties that bind them in a place where what they had
always seen were the tall walls of division.
Eze writes from Awka