Lagos — A couple of weeks ago, I did a piece here on the nature of politics and governance in Anambra State and how these combine to determine the popularity rating of the State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi. Not surprisingly, the piece drew a lot of reactions, verbal and written. I was particularly moved by the lengthy discussion I had with a pastor-friend who is not from Anambra State , and whose views on several issues I highly respect because I know what he stands for.

Before now, my feeling had been that Obi had a serious image problem, which can only mean that he was grossly disliked by the people he was ruling, probably because he had, by very dismal performance, disappointed their lofty expectations in a state whose very bitter history of political crises had created a deep yearning for responsible and focused leadership.

But after some careful investigations and interactions with more people from Anambra, what has become clear now, which even Obi's harshest political opponents cannot deny, is that the lack of undue flourish and fanfare around Peter Obi is an intentional and edifying style of governance which he has adopted to further the paradigm shift he is advocating. Obi, it is clear, believes governance should be a more serious business than most people are viewing it; it should be about quality service delivery, instead of an opportunity for infantile and ostentatious display of power and influence.

The "normal" Nigerian politician who is used to vulgar bacchanals, obscene squandermania IN Government Houses, long, reckless, siren-blaring convoys and fear-instilling bodyguards would probably find Obi an odd fellow. Indeed, the man is too burdened by his vision and passion for the development of Anambra State, especially the reversal of the abysmal infrastructural decay he met on the ground, to have the time and presence of mind for such low preoccupations. Instead of investing such energy, resources and time in needless and distracting advertisement of his obsession with indecent fanfare and exuberance, he would rather find greater fulfillment and satisfaction in doing what he was elected to do.

Now, no self-respecting person in Anambra State today can deny that Peter Obi has posted an outstanding performance, especially in the area of infrastructural development, as had not been witnessed before, since the creation of the state.

But what impresses me most is his practical advocacy for reformation and restoration of integrity in the conduct government business. Well-meaning Anambra people readily point to the numerous roads he has built or rehabilitated, the schools and hospitals he has reclaimed to respectability, and the various public institutions he has erected - like the magnificent state secretariat, business parks, judges quarters, housing estates and many others. Not even his opponents can successfully deny this. What his political opponents have against him is his refusal to "carry them long."

What this means is his blunt unwillingness to continue the unsightly tradition of sharing out Anambra money to an army of parasitic elite who also exist in several states of the federation, and who depend on public funds to maintain their opulent lifestyles. So, when you hear tomorrow that Peter does not "carry along" the political elite in Anambra, you must understand clearly that what is being said is that he has refused to continue sustaining the rent-seeking elite with public funds, many of whom have been out of work for several years now. Unfortunately, some of these fellows are very vocal, and have come to assume the deceptive toga of "prominent Nigerians", and so, whatever they say about the governor is, unfortunately, taken seriously by the unsuspecting public. But we, as a people, should have grown above such chicanery by now.

In Imo State , for instance, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim (Ochi-Ka-Nwata), who has finally joined his like-minds in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has banded his own "political elite" under the name of "Council of Elders" or something like that. He ensures they go home with jumbo salaries and allowances for "advising" him. But what everyone knows is that he has simply used public funds to buy their cooperation. No doubt, it is more important to Ohakim that these fellows do not trouble him. So instead of deploying the money to provide social amenities to the powerless and voiceless populace, he has underlined his preference for the unhealthy expediency of purchasing the cooperation of those "elders" with the money. Had Peter Obi towed also this untoward and prodigal path in Anambra, all those people denouncing him in the media today would have been singing his "oriki" by now, whether he built a single road in Anambra or not.

Before Obi came to power, some fellow (I don't know whether it was Chris Ngige or Virgy Etiaba) had signed into law a provision that five percent of Anambra's share from the Federal Allocation should be given to the traditional rulers. That was an unrighteous and obnoxious law. And it was clear that it was put in place, NOT to further the interests of Anambra people, but to "mobilize" the traditional rulers to secure grassroots political support for the person that signed out that largesse to them. But when Obi came in, he pleaded with the royal fathers that the state needed to devote all the resources at its disposal to develop the state for the long-term benefit of all. As we all know, these same fellows are paid salaries, and they have also other ways of generating funds in their communities. Yet, someone signed out this money to them! I am sure the dialogue is still on, with the governor sticking to his guns, and this may also be one of the instances of his "unpardonable sin" of not "carrying everyone along."

Indeed, it is in the interest of Anambra people that these traditional rulers buy into Obi's passion to devote every resource coming into the state's coffers to the long-term benefit of all.

This is where Peter Obi's ideology agrees with what I have been advocating in this column. We need to reform the notion of public office in this country, and change it from continuing to be the place where failed individuals run to for financial and social rehabilitation. The people of Anambra State must rise today to insist that their so-called political elite explain to them the full meaning of this refusal by Obi to "carry them along."

They should also open their eyes and determine whether these people overheating the polity with undue hostility towards their governor are pursuing the interest of the people or their own selfish interests.

Obi, too, must continue to ignore these fellows (many of whom do not even vote in elections), and seek through town hall meetings and other such gatherings to speak to the people directly and regularly. He should make them see that those who bring them a few bags of rice, salt and crates of soft drinks just to buy their votes and consciences do not intend to build Anambra State but their own personal empires.

Just as he is touring primary and secondary schools and interacting with little pupils, Obi should also maintain regular interaction with the people, not just through the radio. They are the people he should seek to carry along! No doubt, the change he seeks to enthrone is strange in Nigeria and politically costly, but he should not be deterred. In Nigeria , with its horribly corrupted political terrain, it would require really hard work to sell the new thought and attitude he is advocating. But we would all be fools to allow Obi's silent revolution to be frustrated by the old corrupt order that has left where we are today, even if we are not from Anambra. That would be a monumental tragedy.