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.