In the last two weeks, Anambra State has been a beehive of activities following the governorship election primaries that were conducted by all the political parties angling for a space at the Government House, Awka. During the primaries, aspirants did everything to obtain the candidacy of their respective political parties and at the end of the day winners and losers emerged. Today, political parties are preparing for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state and from all indications the election would certainly be a fight to finish. However, most of the political parties are still saddled with the aftermath of their primary elections. Condemnations trail the alleged irregularities during the exercise. It is being feared that some of the political parties may not contain the challenges that the aggrieved aspirants would generate. Similarly, most of the aggrieved aspirants across the political parties are said to be plotting to destroy their parties’ chances at the poll.
According to a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who would not want his name on print, “The entire concept of internal democracy is a mere window dressing. We know how long we have been in this race and we also know how we have been able to mobilise support of Anambra people for APGA. But today, we have been pushed aside by the party and somebody, who never knew how APGA was formed and nurtured, suddenly sauntered in at the late hour and got the ticket. Who are they deceiving? We are APGA and we know our contributions in APGA till date. For somebody to come in later and begin to lord it over us as the candidate is unacceptable to us. We wish him and the party good luck while the election lasts”.
There is no doubt that this aspirant and his co-travellers are out to play the spoilers and should the party leadership fail to address the matter and harmonise all interests, its candidate, William Obiano, will be in for a raw deal. Already, the party is fixed with the emergence of Dr. Chike Obidigbo who was nominated in another primary election of the party conducted by Chief Maxi Okwu, a factional chairman of the party. Though it is strongly believed by political commentators that it may be ignored, the distraction and confusion that would certainly trail the party as a result of this development would adversely affect the party’s fortunes in the election.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic (PDP) has remained in the trenches, battling over who its governorship candidate is. It is no longer news that Senator Andy Uba is in court against Comrade Tony Nwoye over the party’s flagbearer but what is more worrisome is the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Should the crisis linger till 14th or 15th of September, the party may end up not field any candidate.
Though the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has ended its primaries with a re-affirmation of Senator Chris Ngige as its candidate. The party is still polarised by the anger of the aspirants and their supporters, who contend that the primary was not properly conducted. Before then, the aspirant of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Dr Hygers Ifeanyi Igwebuike, left the party with his supporters to join the Accord Party where he ultimately became the governorship candidate of that party. Engr. Godwin Ezeemo, who remained in the party, lost to Ngige and has continued to allege what he described as lack of internal democracy in the party.
Ironically, Ezeemo may have expected a delegate kind of election but was beaten to it by the option A4 system used by the leadership of the party. Indeed, Ezeemo as observed by Saturday Independent, was disappointed in the action of his party that claimed to have respect for democratic principles.
But despite the shortcomings in the parties’ primaries, candidates emerged and all is now set for the showdown in the November epic battle.
Conversely, the election is expected to produce a major upset as the young candidates face the oldies. A close understudy of the candidates shows that none of them can be described as underdog, as they all command respect and political followership in the state.
Chief William Obiano (APGA): This accomplished banker is no push over. Granted that the process of his emergence may be questionable, it does not vitiate the fact that he looks good enough to become the governor of Anambra State. For Obiano to have dusted all other aspirants to become the party’s candidate makes it more instructive for other candidate to take him serious. Political watchers are of the view that with the outgoing governor, Mr. Peter Obi, behind him, his chances of taking over are very bright. However, political observers believe that as a former employee of Fidelity Bank where Governor Obi was chairman, he is coming in to do a cover up for Obi and may count against him in poll. It is also feared that Obiano may meet the same fate as that of Professor Dora Akunyili during her bid to go to the Senate, when the people allegedly transferred their anger to the embattled woman. Also, aspirants who felt shortchanged during the primary election may choose to fight and ensure that he does not make it at the end of the day. However, his benefactor, Mr. Peter Obi, may also find a way of averting such a scenario as the incumbent.
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah (LP): He appears to be the man of the moment. Ubah came in through the controversy between him and Chief Cosmos Maduka, Chief Executive of Cosmos Nig Ltd. He became even more popular when he was allegedly stopped by forces at Government House, Awka, from visiting flood victims in Anambra State. It is perhaps his political opponents that merely succeeded in making him an object of sympathy before Anambra electorate. What Ubah also has going for him is his Kerosene revolution which started about two years ago. Being an oil magnate, he has been a big employer of labour and he has also been involved in humanitarian activities, which have, to a large extent, touched the lives of most Anambra people. Even his choice of Labour Party has not diminished his political mileage but has to a large extent thrown up the party as one of the front line political parties in Anambra State right now.
However, Uba has to battle with the establishment politicians who are apprehensive of his rising profile. Their feeling is that with Ubah as governor of Anambra State, they would loose their deposits and stakes in their “enterprise” called Anambra state. Also, Ubah needs to work on his structure and try to marry his philanthropy with real grassroots structure. He should refrain from the usual grandstanding and glamour that go with election campaigns. The crisis in PDP and APGA could be to the advantage of Ifeanyi Ubah at the end of the day.
Sen. Chris Ngige (APC): To his credit is the infrastructure development and revolution that took place while he was governor for 34 months. He is the most loved politician in Anambra State and he knows how to steal the show at all times. No doubt, he is popular. Ngige’s victory at the National Assembly election is one aspect that has sustained his popularity and political relevance. It is on this pedestal that Ngige remains a force and a very strong factor in this election. The light complexioned Senator has a new party platform called the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party is going into its first major election in the country. The party is poised to capture Anambra State as test case and it was gathered that all APC governors and National Assembly members are battle ready to deliver Ngige in the election. Also, the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be to the advantage of Ngige and APC. However, the political class is not comfortable with Ngige as candidate. They allege that he does not keep to agreements hence they may work against him. Most Anambrarians also seem not to be happy with Ngige over his comments on the recent relocation of some Igbo indigenes to Onitsha.
Igwebuike Hygers (Accord Party): This is a man, who gave life to the Accord Party and was powerful enough to move a sizable chunk of APC members into the party. Igwebuike exudes confidence and has been able to move a great number of the Christian community to his side. Similarly, he is the only candidate that does not have any controversy trailing him and he is going into the contest without bruises.
Barrister. Godson Okoye (UDP): He contested the governorship election in 2010 and came fourth despite the newness of his party, United Democratic Party (UDP). He is one of those angling for power shift to the younger generation. He has no political godfather or cartel behind him and his independent minded nature projects him as one that cannot compromise standards on key issues.
THE PDP confusion in view of the discrepancies in the candidacy of the party has remained worrisome. However, the two candidates of the party, Uba and Nwoye, are good enough to deliver in the 2013 election. However, the confusion over the candidacy of the party would certainly reduce the fortunes of the party in the election. This is because should any of the two be made candidate, the other could decide to work against the party at the end of the day.