By DENNIS SAMI
The electoral edge between Senator Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba, also called Andy Uba and other contenders for the Anambra 2014 governorship election appears to be widening by the week as the countdown to the crucial exercise unofficially takes the front seat in the scheme of things.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC was sworn in as Anambra governor after 2007 election, but he was removed a few days later through a court order, which faulted INEC for conducting the poll in the state when current Governor Peter Obi’s tenure was still running. The tenure now expires next year.
And by what is likely to become an Obi-to-Uba-to-Obi-to-Uba relay race, the senator from Anambra South constituency has every positive indicator going for him right now. He is not deterred by the setback of 2007; and has not been cowed not to refer to the development.
Only recently, while making known his ambition to gun for the office in the Enugu Sports Club, Uba was quick to put the matter straight to doubters. Looking straight-facedly at reporters, he said: “In 2007 when I ran for governor, I had a vision for Anambra State. Within the few days I stayed, people got an insight into my plans. My vision was to change the face of Anambra. I was pushing for a plan to transform the state but unfortunately, it didn’t work.”
Almost immediately after, youths, under the aegis of Omambala Youth Forum, announced their resolve to support the governorship ambition of Senator Uba. They did so at a meeting in Otuocha. The Forum, comprising youths from the four council areas of the state – Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Oyi – said their decision to support Uba followed his record achievements since he went into public office.
The Forum’s chairman, Innocent Offordile (Eselu Aguleri), who presided at the meeting, observed that though Uba represents Anambra South in the Senate, youths in the four local government areas in Anambra North would always remember his impact on the people of the area during last year’s flood disaster. Said he: “We have declared support for Senator Uba because he has told us officially about his governorship ambition. He did it before and we believe that he will do it again even better. Of all the people jostling for the state’s top job, the youths of Omambala believe that Uba is the only one with the right connection to move this state forward.”
Also, in his recent writing, social commentator, Emeka Oraetoka, recalled the entire saga that heralded the sack of Uba from office in 2007 vis-à-vis Governor Obi’s commentary on the zoning formula for Anambra, preferring his successor to emerge from Anambra north. He went a step further by stating what has now become an obvious popular position on the matter.
“Specifically, the plethora of solidarity and support coming Uba’s way arising from the goodwill he has purchased via Peter Obi’s position on zoning would not have been if Anambraians have not been offered the opportunity of juxtaposing Peter Obi’s position with the injustice done to Andy Uba in 2007. Possibly, Nigerians may have now realised that opposition to Andy Uba’s quest for justice after his removal from office was, in-fact, borne out of sentiment and inferior argument in the first place. Events after 2007 in Nigeria have made people to conclude that injustice was actually done to Andy Uba. Oraetoka had asked: “On the issue of governorship election in 2014, the questions the people of Anambra State ask are: elections in 2014 zoned to Anambra North based on his interpretation of equity, what happens to the fellow that was asked to vacate office 17 days after swearing-in, for offence he did not commit? Has justice been done to the zone or possibly the local government area where Andy Uba hails from? Which, between equity and justice, ranks higher in order of priority? From the point of view of politics, what constitute equity? Is Peter Obi implying that all registered political parties in Nigeria must cede their governorship positions to Anambra North in 2014? Is he as well saying that Anambra North has no electable candidate(s)? Or is the governor saying that the people of the zone are weak in all ramifications and therefore, cannot compete politically in the State?”
Uba, sometime ago organised a town hall meeting for his constituents in the seven council areas that make up his senatorial district to explain his activities in the senate and to subject himself to their scrutiny. He had declared: “I believe that the people you represent at whatever level must come first in what you do because it is not by accident that they entrust their mandate in your care. The mandate one holds in trust for the people is sacred and the product of a collective conviction that he is worthy both in character and ability to represent their interests.” He added that no leader worth his salt should take the people he leads for granted.
Reflecting on his eventful stay at the Senate so far, Uba had told his constituents that apart from sponsoring four bills and co-sponsoring 12 motions, he had attracted not less than N16million projects to the area. He clarified that all the projects were domiciled in the 2012 budget.
Ahead next year’s governorship election in the state, Anambra, known for its vibrant politics, has thrown up tens of aspirants apart from Uba looking forward to succeeding incumbent Obi. Among the fine crop of such personalities are Comrade Tony Nwoye, Paul Odenigbo, Obinna Uzoh, Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Emmanuel Anosike, all from the same PDP fold as Uba. Besides, there are those from the other parties. They include: Senator Chris Ngige (ACN); Senator Annie Okonkwo (APC): Ifeanyi Uba (Labour) and Hon. Uche Ekwunife (APGA), among others.
No doubt, given the peculiarities of Anambra politics, the list is sure to be longer as the countdown reduces from months to weeks. The attendant drama, tension, intimidations too, and upsets and near-upsets, all recurring features of the politics of Anambra State add up to give the four-yearly event its uniqueness. But one good thing about the foregoing is that by the time the chicken comes home to roost, all frayed nerves somehow find some way to smooth out.
Of the array of aspirants from the Anambra PDP fold, seeking to succeed Obi, it appears Uba stands tallest. Most top PDP stakeholders say that Uba is loved by his people, the party and has the contacts and connections to attract development to the state without causing controversies, like many others are known for.
• Sami writes from Abuja
The electoral edge between Senator Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba, also called Andy Uba and other contenders for the Anambra 2014 governorship election appears to be widening by the week as the countdown to the crucial exercise unofficially takes the front seat in the scheme of things.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC was sworn in as Anambra governor after 2007 election, but he was removed a few days later through a court order, which faulted INEC for conducting the poll in the state when current Governor Peter Obi’s tenure was still running. The tenure now expires next year.
And by what is likely to become an Obi-to-Uba-to-Obi-to-Uba relay race, the senator from Anambra South constituency has every positive indicator going for him right now. He is not deterred by the setback of 2007; and has not been cowed not to refer to the development.
Only recently, while making known his ambition to gun for the office in the Enugu Sports Club, Uba was quick to put the matter straight to doubters. Looking straight-facedly at reporters, he said: “In 2007 when I ran for governor, I had a vision for Anambra State. Within the few days I stayed, people got an insight into my plans. My vision was to change the face of Anambra. I was pushing for a plan to transform the state but unfortunately, it didn’t work.”
Almost immediately after, youths, under the aegis of Omambala Youth Forum, announced their resolve to support the governorship ambition of Senator Uba. They did so at a meeting in Otuocha. The Forum, comprising youths from the four council areas of the state – Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Oyi – said their decision to support Uba followed his record achievements since he went into public office.
The Forum’s chairman, Innocent Offordile (Eselu Aguleri), who presided at the meeting, observed that though Uba represents Anambra South in the Senate, youths in the four local government areas in Anambra North would always remember his impact on the people of the area during last year’s flood disaster. Said he: “We have declared support for Senator Uba because he has told us officially about his governorship ambition. He did it before and we believe that he will do it again even better. Of all the people jostling for the state’s top job, the youths of Omambala believe that Uba is the only one with the right connection to move this state forward.”
Also, in his recent writing, social commentator, Emeka Oraetoka, recalled the entire saga that heralded the sack of Uba from office in 2007 vis-à-vis Governor Obi’s commentary on the zoning formula for Anambra, preferring his successor to emerge from Anambra north. He went a step further by stating what has now become an obvious popular position on the matter.
“Specifically, the plethora of solidarity and support coming Uba’s way arising from the goodwill he has purchased via Peter Obi’s position on zoning would not have been if Anambraians have not been offered the opportunity of juxtaposing Peter Obi’s position with the injustice done to Andy Uba in 2007. Possibly, Nigerians may have now realised that opposition to Andy Uba’s quest for justice after his removal from office was, in-fact, borne out of sentiment and inferior argument in the first place. Events after 2007 in Nigeria have made people to conclude that injustice was actually done to Andy Uba. Oraetoka had asked: “On the issue of governorship election in 2014, the questions the people of Anambra State ask are: elections in 2014 zoned to Anambra North based on his interpretation of equity, what happens to the fellow that was asked to vacate office 17 days after swearing-in, for offence he did not commit? Has justice been done to the zone or possibly the local government area where Andy Uba hails from? Which, between equity and justice, ranks higher in order of priority? From the point of view of politics, what constitute equity? Is Peter Obi implying that all registered political parties in Nigeria must cede their governorship positions to Anambra North in 2014? Is he as well saying that Anambra North has no electable candidate(s)? Or is the governor saying that the people of the zone are weak in all ramifications and therefore, cannot compete politically in the State?”
Uba, sometime ago organised a town hall meeting for his constituents in the seven council areas that make up his senatorial district to explain his activities in the senate and to subject himself to their scrutiny. He had declared: “I believe that the people you represent at whatever level must come first in what you do because it is not by accident that they entrust their mandate in your care. The mandate one holds in trust for the people is sacred and the product of a collective conviction that he is worthy both in character and ability to represent their interests.” He added that no leader worth his salt should take the people he leads for granted.
Reflecting on his eventful stay at the Senate so far, Uba had told his constituents that apart from sponsoring four bills and co-sponsoring 12 motions, he had attracted not less than N16million projects to the area. He clarified that all the projects were domiciled in the 2012 budget.
Ahead next year’s governorship election in the state, Anambra, known for its vibrant politics, has thrown up tens of aspirants apart from Uba looking forward to succeeding incumbent Obi. Among the fine crop of such personalities are Comrade Tony Nwoye, Paul Odenigbo, Obinna Uzoh, Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Emmanuel Anosike, all from the same PDP fold as Uba. Besides, there are those from the other parties. They include: Senator Chris Ngige (ACN); Senator Annie Okonkwo (APC): Ifeanyi Uba (Labour) and Hon. Uche Ekwunife (APGA), among others.
No doubt, given the peculiarities of Anambra politics, the list is sure to be longer as the countdown reduces from months to weeks. The attendant drama, tension, intimidations too, and upsets and near-upsets, all recurring features of the politics of Anambra State add up to give the four-yearly event its uniqueness. But one good thing about the foregoing is that by the time the chicken comes home to roost, all frayed nerves somehow find some way to smooth out.
Of the array of aspirants from the Anambra PDP fold, seeking to succeed Obi, it appears Uba stands tallest. Most top PDP stakeholders say that Uba is loved by his people, the party and has the contacts and connections to attract development to the state without causing controversies, like many others are known for.
• Sami writes from Abuja
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