Thursday, 17 May 2012
Anambra State as PDP hostage
Columnist:
Akogun I have been shaking my clock severely, but it insists this is indeed 2009.
It is a fascinating time. The United States has just elected a black man as president. Ghana’s election last year is being held up—by Ghana, and by the world—as a “how-to” model.
South Africa has held another bedlam-free election, in full view of the world, and the Internet. Indonesia, with a population that is twice as much as ours, has held another presidential election in full consonance with her constitution, and the observation of the world.
2009. It is not an election year for Nigeria; our big general elections are not until 2011. In February 2010, however, we have a critical mid-term governorship election in Anambra State. That dress rehearsal, which the world knows will tell a lot about where we are going, is three months from now. Regrettably, we do not seem to be doing very well.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which calls itself ‘Africa’s biggest party,’ has never believed in election primaries as a tool for determining the most appealing candidate. It unilaterally chose Chukwuma Soludo, as its candidate.
Soludo, the former Governor of the Central Bank, is incensed that other candidates have refused to refuse his imposition on the party. That makes him a mainstream PDP-er: he has neither shame nor pride.
Before he assumed governorship of the Central Bank, Soludo was said to have been a university teacher. Such a background suggests a good education, as university degrees are awarded on the basis of learning, but of character.
In Soludo’s case, he must have been unavoidably absent when the courses on character were being offered. Before I attempt to justify this statement, let me say a little bit about his key opponents in the Anambra political process: an election-rigger, and a certificate buyer.
First, Chris Uba. In 2003, following the atrocious performance in office of one Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Anambra State found itself with an opportunity to make a fresh start. But that would eventually be compromised by Chris Uba, who—by his own admission—rigged the elections to put into power Chris Ngige.
Chris Uba was not interested in Ngige, or indeed in the people’s welfare. He just needed a tool, a man to get him the keys to the “Bank of Anambra.” In the mayhem that followed, Chris Uba walked free, but not the people of Anambra, who were victimized all over. The entire scam was easy for Chris Uba because he was Obasanjo’s friend, and Obasanjo always put his friends ahead of Nigeria.
Second: Nnamdi “Andy” Uba. By 2007, it was clear to Obasanjo that with his third-term bid having collapsed on him, he needed to invest more in punishing his enemies and rewarding his followers. Anambra was one case where he could do both at the same time: he put up Andy Uba as his gubernatorial candidate.
Andy, Chris’ brother, was the former “good” servant in Obasanjo’s palace. Obasanjo told the people of Anambra as he asked them to crown him governor that Uba was qualified because he had been a very faithful servant. “He wakes me up and watches me till I sleep,” were his words.
Obasanjo did not tell the people of Anambra State if Andy Uba was honest or trained or capable. Actually, he knew the man was not honest, not trained, and not capable. In any event, it was already known worldwide that he was a money-launderer; he had used a presidential jet to launder money. Part of the proceeds was used to buy gifts for the use of Obasanjo’s Temperance Farms.
And it was also known that although Andy Uba claimed to have gone to school, there were monumental doubts about whether he really did, and what certificates, if any, he had ever earned. He is thought to have bought the “Dr.” before his name off the Internet, a charge he has never disproved.
It was crazier still that Andy Uba, a mere palace hand yesterday, was suddenly awash with boatloads of cash as he launched his gubernatorial ambition. He was buying and distributing motor vehicles, and all by himself, adjusting state economic statistics by subsidizing the price of petrol.
It worked. In 2007, Obasanjo and Maurice Iwu’s Independent National Electoral Commission contrived to send Andy Uba to Government House, but he was swiftly bundled out by the Supreme Court following an electoral appeal. Over two years later, Andy Uba is still in court asking men in wigs, not Anambrarians with voter’s cards, to declare him governor, one way or another.
It is into this cauldron that Soludo, once he was through the Central Bank doors, has traveled. He has about 50 other men and women in the PDP who seek the governorship to contend with, and they have tied up the PDP’s anointment of Soludo as the candidate, in court.
Soludo is impatient with all of this. Last week in Abuja, he told a court it was incompetent to pronounce on his candidature, that the PDP is more powerful and relevant, or words to that effect.
Such confidence, in Soludo, these days. But I insist that even if he did not buy his qualifications where they hawk “Onitsha market literature,” he is not a man of character. This is a man who has left behind him at the Central Bank sundry categories of chaos not only in bank policy, but in his relationship with the chief executives of the top banks, many of who are now facing the law.
This is a man who, having persuaded Obasanjo of the merits of an African Finance Corporation, superintended its being turned to a kalokalo gambling machine.
Soludo’s sudden wealth after the Central Bank—like Andy Uba’s after Aso Rock—raises a lot of concern. He is known to have deployed some of this wealth in England, where he is spending some serious money on real estate and his family that he could not possibly have earned.
He arrived in great hurry in Anambra State, with the support of the PDP establishment (which means with the support of Yar’Adua). He was determined to begin the political business at the very top, no matter who he has to buy or sell.
It is an irony that a man that should be touting his great education and preparedness to lead, is hitching his wagon to the politics of manipulation. It is a shame that a man that should be seeking to attract voters by affirming transparency and the power of the superior argument, is pandering to the politics of muscle and money. It is a shame that a man that should be demonstrating conduct that is superior to that of the average politician is strutting around as if he is owed something.
That is what Soludo is doing, and I have finally understood why. Anambra State, as Chris Uba has proved, is a good ATM (Access to Millions). But it seems—as Andy Uba and Soludo suggest—that it is also perceived as a great hiding place. Is there any other reason why men of this description are stopping at nothing to possess the state?
Hopefully it is now clear to the people of Anambra that the PDP is toxic. Now, not tomorrow morning, is the time to take a stand. At the forthcoming elections, they should support each other to reject the party’s candidate—no matter whom he is—decisively and comprehensively. Our people say that whatever meat you forbid, you do not divide with your teeth.
First, you must summon the manhood to teach the PDP a lesson in resounding, emphatic rejection. The future you save will be your own.
• sonala.olumhense@gmail.com
Comments
18 comment(s)
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Submitted by Frank Chris (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
Look at Bola Tinubu , went to dump yoroba people AD to AC because of Atiku ambition , while Atiku is a political prostitute and self centered . Atiku always have ambition to return back to PDP to achieve is dream. But each step he took, some opposition in PDP always refused him
Am calling on the Oduduwa to arise and turn against this people from the north as you know that is what the Biafra is waiting for.
Let me make its clear to Nigerians, opinion poll 79% are in support states of biafra . 66% are in support of oduduwa. 95% are in support of Niger delta, the Nigeria should not ignore such treat, it’s real because every body is fade up with what is going on.
How can dangurugu man lead person
Despite OBJ was dictator , traveled 325 days from 366 days in office, nigeria was far better as its was today,
Frank chris Madrid Spain
Submitted by Frank Chris (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
Nigeria is moving no were, even the northerner’s whom dominate political seat, federal government, most of their indigenes are still in the street begging for food.
Go to Lagos and different part Nigeria they are still in the street, an average Igbo or yoroba cant beg money to eat.
The problem in Anambra today is nothing but demonstration of what will come in further and the way to biafra and oduduwa.
The Igbos within them self have peace that is while you can’t see political assassin.
What happen to Bode George is lesson? The northerners are using every body, how many criminal do we have in Nigeria and whom dominate, it’s the same people, while will Chief George be the first scope. The oduduwas should release the man immediately.
Submitted by otonye nelson-ebimie (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
pdp be reminded that ;no matter how hungry you are,you cannever swallow your tongue; you created the monster militancy in the south south who knows the name of the one you want to create in the south east pdp is full of evil men nigerian beware ojukwu has spoken.
Submitted by POOR MAN (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
TO OLUMHENSE AND ALL OTHER MICHIEVIOUS MISADVISERS, WHERE DO YOU GET THE AUDACITY TO THINK THAT ANAMBRA PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR US? WHY DO YOU THINK WE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE PDP OR ITS INTERNAL POLITICS? WE WILL SUPPORT SOLUDO BECAUSE WE ARE CONVINCED THAT HE IS ONE OF OUR OWN EMINENTLY QUALIFIED AND ENERGETICALLY ENABLED TO CHART A NEW DEVELOPMENTAL AND POLITICAL PATH IN OUT STATE. OF ALL THE CURRENTLY SERVING GOVERNORS, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT SOLUDO TOWERS HEADS AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE VAST MAJORITY.WE ARE NOT INTO POLITICAL PARTIES BUT IN NEED OF SINCERE LEADERS,FOR WE ARE NOT LAZY OR WAITING FOR YOUR NATIONAL CAKE,THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE , WE SHALL STICK TO SOLUDO ..COME RAIN OR SHINE, SR WILL BE ALIVE TO DOCUMENT WHO WILL BE RIGHT AND TO BEAR WITNESS TO SOLUDOS STEWARDSHIP...PLS TAKE YOUR MISADVICE TO YOUR OWN STATE....SOLUDO IS OK FOR US
Submitted by Nwa Naija (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
@Chidozie
Is SR supposed to manufacture malfeasance against Gov. Obi? He is different from all the rest. By the way, since you missed the various news reports at the time, Anambra state assembly - which is FULL OF PDP people - at first jumped up to make hay of it, but investigated and concluded that there was nothing there and cleared him.
They would never had done so had he been guilty.
Submitted by Lselie Brown (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
The writer of this article is a complete dunse. He does not have his facts right and little research was done before going to press. This type of mediocre journalism is why we are described as a third world country by more serious players in the International community.
Submitted by REGGIE KOGGU (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
ADENIHI FADAHUNSI:
THANK YOU FOR THIS REMARK.YOU HAVE SAID IT ALL,EVEN THOUGH BY YOUR NAME,YOU SEEM TO HAVE COME FROM YORUBALAND.
THANK YOU FOR THIS ENLIGHTENING INSIGHT.
REGGIE/USA
Submitted by osagie oscar asemota (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 01:00.
helped are those that take heed on criminals like Soludo that parades himself as credible in corruption!
Solana, you are much blessed and favoured for your leadership position to stop evil ones from taking peoples electoral mandate for granted since 1999 pdp had the nation soaring in economy & political doom!
Submitted by hamilton eze (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
This is a very disgraceful write up! The man did not even carry out preliminary research on the topic he wrote on. He is not sure that Soludo was a University lecturer. And worse he did not even know that Soludo served as Economic Adviser to the president before his appointment as CBN Governor. He thinks that 51 candidates contested the PDP primaries while even secodnary school children knows they were 47. He believes you must have stolen a ton of money before you can run for governorship and I will ask him, how much did Governor fashola steal before becoming governor of Lagos state? And this article actually appeared in Guardian newspaper? what a disgrace to jurnalism.
Submitted by chidozie from Atlanta (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
FYI, Andy and Soludo are not the only candidates contesting election in Anambra State. My sources confirmed that SR is collecting money from Gov Obi to keep attacking Andy and Soludo. Am yet to read an article on SF attacking Gov Obi. Let's not forget that Gov Obi’s convoy was caught with more than 200 million naira cash few months ago in Lagos. Till today he still hasn’t told us the source of the money.
Submitted by ADESOPE (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
FELLOW NIGERIANS CHRIS UBA VE SAID IT ALL DAT SOLUDO DOES NT NEED ANAMBARIANS MONEY BUT ONLY NEEDS THERE IMMUNITY.
Submitted by Benson, Switzerland (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
It's proper for you to condemn the PDP as we all see the evils they perpetrate. But always remember that opposition parties are not better.
Now it's reported that Ubas has decided to support PPA candidate against Soludo, do u think he'll just do it free of charge?
With our cash and carry politics, it's clear that he'll have to sit down and discuss "politics" with the PPA members - what, when, how and with whom to share Anambra wealth - if the PPA candidate is eventually elected with his support.
Then, like a revolving door...the corruption beats continue!!!
Submitted by Muyiwa Laleye (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
Sonala, cant you see it? Charles Soludo is scheming for immunity from his crimes at the Central Bank. He needs the governorship post to escape his crimes and he will stop at nothing to get the seat. He will maul all the Ubas. Eight years as governor and later another sixteen years as senator all under immunity, then he is home safe and dry. Who will remember his crimes in 2034 ? As is the Nigerian culture, he will then be revered and called Elder Statesman! Charles Soludo knows his onions! He doesn not want to share rooms with Bode George at his latest address.
Submitted by kkdapo@yahoo.com (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
Vintage Sonala! excellent analysis of the Anambra situation. Nigerians must learn and embrace the fact that the electorates wish will hold sway at the end of the day.
The solution lies in an outright rejection not only of any candidate but of PDP itself come election day.
The desperation exhibited by the candidates is quite frightening to say the least and history is replete with what desperados have done to the political landsacpe of this country. The great people of Anambra state should rise up to the occasion and rise to save this wonderful state from the evil clutches of PDP and its agents.
Submitted by fadahunsiadeniyi on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
The level of weakness and carefree attitude display by the people of Anambra State is enormous that one wonders if there are living people in that State. History has it that Mbadinuju under the control of Emeka Offor witheld the salaries of the State workers for 11 clear months which I'm sure is yet to be offset by successive government after him. Chris Uba held an elected governor, Ngige, hostage while government properties were set ablaze yet in Anambra. Andy Uba whose selection was nullified by the Supreme Court is bribing a lower court to nullify the verdict and pronounce him "Governor-In-Waiting" just as Amechi of Rivers State was crowned without contesting in the election. Soludo whose tenure as the CBN governopr has brought anguish to Nigerians has become billionaire overnight is being seen as the "Messiah" Anambra needs badly. These people can get away with their ambition only IF the people of Anambra allow them.
Submitted by Sam Sam (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
Dear Sonala are you a member of PDP? if not why do you make Soludo who is yet to even contest so much of an issue if you disapprove of him so much perhaps you can start promoting other candidates in other Parties the siting Governor is not even from PDP so what edge does the Party have in Anambra. this only shows fear and crying foul before the race,On the issue of Primaries name one Party that held a sucesful primary they are all the same if you go by their constitutions Let his People decide just like Kano, Bauchi and Abia decided.
Submitted by BUG ELIMINATOR (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
With all due respect sir, I see the flaws in your submission on how to get rid of PDP in that state...I think your pointer should have been first let the Anambra people genuinely come out with a choice that will go through the normal electoral process of selection, through a credible party primaries and then stand behind him against the PDP otherwise, these bugs have a way of forming an opposition party in the guise of fighting PDP and still win...just a thought though.
Submitted by Orye (not verified) on November 7, 2009 - 01:00.
I personally will leave PDP to sweat and stew in their own mess. A bit like getting these PDP rivals to knock themselves out. Perhaps after they have done this, a much more sane and conscionable party will take over the reigns of power in Anambra State. As the adage goes, a house divided against itself such as PDP will only end of falling like a pack of cards!
