The Ikemba myth in Anambra 2013
BEFORE the death of Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi, his last wish was to see the election of Peter Obi as the Governor of Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2010. In heeding Ojukwu's entreaty, which had to do more with the goodwill Igbos extended to the Ikemba because of the role he played in the Nigeria/Biafra war, the people of Anambra State voted for Obi, and he won.
However, now that the Ikemba is no more, anybody in APGA, who is hoping to take advantage of the 'Ojukwu factor' to win the 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, may just be embarking on a fruitless political journey without meaningful results. Yes, the Ikemba Nnewi is still being revered in Igbo-land almost like a god, but the nostalgic admiration of his magisterial activities while alive will in no way assist a less than performing sitting governor to impose his anointed acolyte or stooge or puppet as the next governor of Anambra State.
As most people from Anambra truthfully appreciate today, the 'Ojukwu Factor' will have no relevance in the 2013 governorship race within the confines of APGA as a political party. This has to do with the fact that APGA has lost the massive support it once had while Ojukwu was alive. In any case, even if for the sake of argument, it is agreed that Obi has the constitutional or democratic right to dictate, as it were, who should succeed him as governor, Anambra people may not be comfortable with his choice of a candidate, much less voting for him.
One of the reasons why Peter Obi's anointed candidate for the 2013 governorship election may not fly with Anambra State voters is the fear that such a candidate, if he wins, will not deploy the resources of Anambra State for the realization of the Igbo Presidency Project in 2015. As has been publicly stated by the socio-economic and political elite of Igbo land, the Igbo Presidency Project is almost a divine duty to all Igbo, in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. It is envisaged that the election of an anointed candidate as governor of Anambra State may constitute a major obstacle to the realisation of the Igbo Presidency Project, even as a bargaining political weapon for the realisation of the economic interests of Igbo in Nigeria now and in the years ahead.
Another factor that any anointed candidate will need to contend with is the current governor's lacklustre performance in terms of governance dividends over the last seven years. For instance, since Obi came to power, industrialization of Anambra State has not been a major feature of the government as little or no effort was made in that direction. Moribund industries have not been rehabilitated. No new industries have been established as a means of addressing the mounting unemployment scourge in the State. The water system in the State is in shambles. Hospitals remain mere 'consulting clinics' (apologies to the Late Gen. Abacha). There are no marketing infrastructures to take care of the needs of the teeming traders whose activities constitute the engine room of economic growth in Anambra State.
Even Awka, the capital of the State remains more like a 'glorified village.' Awka lacks infrastructure such as modern schools, hospitals, roads and housing estates. Compared to the iconic status of even less endowed or enterprising states, especially in the old Eastern Region of Nigeria, Awka is simply backward. Generally, within the context of modern cities, Awka can be charitably described as a slum after seven and a half years under the administration of Mr. Peter Obi of APGA.
As should be clear to discerning minds, there is no way our revered Ikemba would have wished for the continuation of the pitiable situation which Peter Obi's governance represents in Anambra State today, were he to be alive. There is no way the Ikemba would have wished for the continuation of the state of insecurity in Anambra State where armed robbery and kidnapping are now the most thriving 'business.' As a matter of fact, were the Ikemba to be alive today, he would have called for the sanctioning of Peter Obi over the frightening level of unemployment in the state that has turned young Igbo youths in their thousands into beggars and destitute.
In spite of what anybody might like to say to the contrary, it would tantamount to inflicting grave injury to all the good things the Ikemba stood for while alive to associate his name or memory with an unholy scheme where even APGA members were denied the democratic right of determining their candidate for the November 16 election. As one of the notable chieftains of APGA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, pointed out recently, the major cause of grievances in the party is the way Willie Obiano emerged. 'The primary was not transparent, and delegates' names were not displayed because it had been manipulated so people who were supposed to be there could not make it' (NAN'S Report in the Daily Sun, Friday, October 4, 2013, page 10). To say the truth, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would have distanced himself from the activities of APGA that seem to accommodate deceit and the imposition of candidates in elections.
• Agumba wrote in from Onitsha, Anambra State.