On a fine, rarefied atmosphere, December 16, 2009, just eight days before Christmas, a clutch of reporters had gathered at the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral field, Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra state. The reporters, from print and electronic media, had assembled for one of those political events, that was, in retrospect, of great importance in election season. It was the flag-off of the governorship campaign to re-elect Mr. Peter Obi for a second term in office. The election took place on February 6, 2010.
All eyes at the Cathedral ground were on Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA), the party on which Mr. Peter contested the election. It was not for nothing that the presence of Ikemba Nnewi riveted attention that day. He had a lot to say about Obi that would define the direction of the campaign and perhaps determine the outcome of the governorship election. And it did. Known for his gift of the gab, Ojukwu looked at the mammoth crowd and said:”You know I am getting old now, and one favour I ask of you at this time is to vote my political son(Peter) into office again to enable our people to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy”.
Ojukwu’s solemn request from the Anambra electorate was seen in some quarters as his ‘last wish’, but he went even further on that auspicious occasion to vouch for the character of Obi. His words : “Peter is not the type of person who can go to shrine to mortgage the fate of Ndi Anambra”. Some saw this as a dig at Dr. Chris Ngige, a candidate in that election. But, truly, it was a testament to the untainted character and integrity of the man, Peter Obi. Obi won his re-election convincingly, beating Dr Ngige and Prof. Charles Soludo(incumbent Governor). Clearly, Obi is known across Anambra and beyond as a template for transparency and unquestionable advocate of good governance, a man who cannot compromise his convictions for the sake of power. The point here is that democracy works and produces dividends for the people and the country when elected officials understand the essence of public office. Not everyone who claims to be a leader is a true leader. Leadership style is critical. Without a vision beyond one’s selfish advancement, a leader is likely to be paralysed once the goal has been achieved.
Anyone who knew Ojukwu would attest to the fact that he was not one who would lavish praises on someone if that person doesn’t merit it. There is no denying the fact that Obi is a transference leader who has what it takes to connect with the people and meet their aspirations. That’s one of the virtues that made him a big success as an entrepreneur and governor of Anambra state. Unfortunately, these are virtues that are in short supply in present day Nigerian pork barrel politics. No wonder, before he passed on in November 2011, Ojukwu said that Peter Obi was the first governor of Anambra “who is not a typical politician, and I have not met more than five men in my life who are as decent and urbane as Peter”.
That’s not to say that Obi is perfect, and no human being is. There’s room for improvement. It’s, therefore, not surprising why some political parties have been courting Obi as a ‘beautiful bride’, just as many political opponents regard him as their ‘Public Enemy Number’ that must be pulled down at all cost”. Last week, Prof Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) confirmed that the party is wooing Peter Obi to come back to the PDP as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. He told African Independent Television(AIT) that Mr.Obi is undoubtedly, a “credible and respected candidate in Nigerian politics”.
He said some of the party big wigs have “contacted” Obi in a bid to bring him back to PDP. Gana revealed that he is the leader of the PDP delegation mandated to convince Obi to come back to the party. He argued that if he(Gana) was in the position of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, he would have ‘stepped aside’ to support Peter Obi. Such a move, he said, would have elevated Atiku to the stature of a “true statesman”. Also last week, a chieftain of the APC, Adamu Garba said he regretted criticising Mr. Obi during the 2023 electioneering campaigns, and has now acknowledged Obi’s “resilience and political relevance even in opposition”.
That resilience and political relevance of Obi are causing sleepless nights to the presidency and few other unknown quantities in the APC strutting the stage to be seen and heard. I knew it would come to this low level of mud throwing against Obi soon after his unexpected but superb performance in the 2023 presidential election, especially in Lagos state where he thrashed Bola Tinubu. It was a historic feat. Until then, it was unthinkable for any politician to defeat Tinubu in his home turf. From that very moment, Peter Obi has been a target, a politician who ‘must be dealt with’ before the 2027 elections. That desperate search for smoking guns against Obi has heightened in recent times.
Unconfirmed sources close to the corridors of power in Abuja say many strategy meetings have been held in recent months, with a single agenda: ‘Stop Peter Obi by all means politically possibly. If one plot fails, try another’. For some state governors elected on the platform of APC, attacking Mr. Obi is the ultimate prize, the easiest way to cozy up to the presidency and have access to the President without following the normal channels of power in Villa.
That’s the reason why you have seen some misguided comments coming from jaded fellows. That’s exactly what that fellow in Edo who won election against the ‘run of play’, tried to do two weeks ago, when he went off the handle and warned Obi not to visit the state again without his executive approval. Even with no aura, no grace, no talent, no ‘can-do-spirit’, no swagger nor swank, no personal convictions, no passion for good governance, make Obi a target of attack, you have a good record in presidential books. That’s what Gov Okpebholo did few ago when Obi came calling at a Nursing College in the state, where he donated N15m to the school. As Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe warned, matter-of-fact, Gov Okpebholo would be held responsible if anything happens to Obi anytime he visits the state in the future. Obi has called the Governor’s bluff, saying he will still visit Edo state in no distant time. It may be recalled that before Okpebholo’s uncouth conduct, the pretender to the throne in Benue state had prevented Obi from paying a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp in the state.
Nigeria is now in the era of authoritarian power grabbers. Early this year, one Felix Morka, National Publicity secretary of APC accused Obi of ‘crossing the line’ . What was Obi’s offence? He drew the attention of the President to some of the negative impact of his administration’s policies and empty claims in the president’s New Year Message. Morka said Obi should be ready to face the consequences of whatever he gets from the government for dare speaking out. Weeks after attacking Obi, Morka was handsomely rewarded. He was appointed, Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
When God’s hand is on you, it doesn’t matter what hand is against you. That’s why Obi remains unfazed despite the orchestrated attacks. Everywhere he goes – at home and abroad – Obi’s message resonates with the people. It’s to the effect that Nigeria is drifting dangerously and needs a change of leadership- from the present self-centred, nepotistic leadership- to one that will see politics as a human enterprise, driven by ideas for solutions to the challenges confronting the nation and its citizens.
In Lagos state, ongoing renaming of streets that hitherto bore Igbo names, is all part of the plot against Ndigbo in Lagos. Monday Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Omoyele Sowore described such narrow-minded decision as a descent into tribal, divisive and political hatred that ought not to have a place in a pluralistic and cosmopolitan place like Lagos.
Take, for instance, the popular Charly Boy bus-stop along Gbagada Express Way was last Friday renamed Baddo bus-stop by the Bariga Local Council Development Area after Yoruba artiste, Olamide. Sources at the Bariga LCDA said the decision came from “above”, because Charlie Boy(Charles Oputa) has been a strong supporter of Obi.
This ‘divine right of kings’, should not have a place in our democracy. That’s why Obi is the target of the ruling party. The APC scared of him. And more horrible things could happen harm Obi and Igbo interest, especially in the South west. Unknown to Obi haters, he is now a brand, a political movement(Obidient) that cuts across party affiliation.
•Written By Dan Onwukwe
