Lagos — I was asked a year ago by several people whether I intended to contest or could be made to be interested in contesting the gubernatorial election in Anambra State in 2010.
My answer was an emphatic No! My reason was that the current Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, was doing a very good job and I doubted that I could do better than him. Thank God that Governor Obi got the nomination of his party despite the obvious bobby trap set for him by enemies of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). I had thought that most of us in Anambra would have seen what I saw. However, the emergence of several aspirants in many political parties willing to part with mind-boggling initial fees to buy forms from their parties meant that what I thought was so obvious was not that obvious after all. Or are there other reasons for the deluge? Are these other reasons for the good of the majority good people of Anambra State? I don't have any answers to the above questions, but I have decided to think aloud so that other people in Anambra State could tell me whether my assessment of the situation was and is still right.
I contested for the office of the Governor of Anambra State in the election of 2003 robustly and willingly. I did so because it was so clear that the ship-of-state in Anambra State was speeding in reverse gear and the Governor then did not know where the brakes and forward gears were. I felt that Anambra State deserved a better leadership than it had then. I meandered through the maze that is called politicking in Nigeria and lost at the election. INEC announced a winner with results which differed seriously with the compilations we had done ourselves using the actual results from voting centres.
We are witnesses to the events since then, which only God made possible for us in Anambra State. Dr. Ngige, godfathered to become Governor, was kidnapped by his godfather. By God's intervention, through some courageous people, he purged himself of his god-father and achieved significant progress for the State. In 2006, by divine intervention again, through the ruling of the Courts of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, the true winner of the 2003 elections, became Governor and has been same even after several attempts to remove him illegally. Governor Obi's achievements are unparalleled in size, scope and depth since Anambra State was created in 1991. This he did and continues to do through his sustained, concurrent, multi-sector and geographically dispersed development schemes, in spite of the rough political terrain he had to endure or overcome.
By 2002 I, like many others, was seriously considering quitting Anambra State. I was almost cursing myself for taking my factories to Anambra State where the quality of life was devaluing and degrading daily. For example, there was no road from anywhere to Nnewi, where I was and am still living in, that was motorable. It took 2 hours to get to the State capital Awka from Nnewi, a journey that should be about 30 minutes. Security of life and property was at a low level and a 'Stone Age' security solution which involved crude public be-headings was being hailed as our salvation. A vehicle could not ply any route in Anambra State without encountering several checkpoints manned by agents of government with crude and dangerous weapons harassing the occupants of the vehicle in the name of internal revenue generation. Mountains of refuse dotted the landscape etc. Things were so bad that industrial growth in Nnewi, which had been previously referred to as the 'Japan of Africa', had stopped. The pitiable situation replicated itself in most of Anambra State and in many other forms. The desperation of the situation forced me to decide that I would contest the gubernatorial election then.
Is Anambra State an Eldorado today? Surely no! However, the situation has improved tremendously. I can now count more than 7 very good tarred state roads leading to Nnewi (the two federal roads to Nnewi are still bad). It takes only 35minutes to get to Awka even with the waste of time at the police/army check points. The police and the local vigilantes, who are this time supervised by the police, are now responsible for security. They are achieving significant but largely un-reported successes and there are no more crude public be-headings. The previously ubiquitous internal revenue agents and their menacing road blocks have virtually disappeared and I believe that more internal revenue accrues to Government now. The same level of improvement can be seen in the education, health, water resources, sports, intergovernmental relationships, business interface and other sectors. Every part of Anambra has seen significant progress. Hope for a much brighter future has been restored to the whole of Anambra State. My companies, like other companies, have begun to invest in expansion projects. Two new mega factories - for motor manufacturing and food processing, were recently commissioned at Nnewi and more are in the pipeline. There is now hope in the 'Japan of Africa'.
A lot more needs to be done to develop Anambra State to where we can all agree that the quality of life for the generality of her residents is good. The fact was that Anambra State was terribly behind development- wise and was still in steep decline by 2003. Things have improved tremendously now. Anambra State still needs to sustain the pace and diversity of development instituted by Governor Obi to achieve an acceptable quality of life. Which of the candidates vying for the Governor's office has the potential of moving us closest to par or ahead of par in the next 4 years? On paper, many of the candidates appear good. However, I find it very easy to choose Governor Peter Obi - the most tested candidate with a transparent and credible track record for that office.
We need to remember that Anambra State had suffered a lot because of some political godfathers. Anambra State had also suffered considerably at the hands of the last Federal Administration and her cronies. We, at Anambra State, should be weary of candidates linked or linkable to those people or organs that made us suffer so much. The campaign rhetoric, promises, glitz and drama have not shown me new candidates that could match the present governor, Mr. Peter Obi. It would be too risky for Anambra State to willingly, in a true and fair election, replace a Governor with a sustained credible track record with another whose potentials are murky. The saying goes that "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush"! That is why I still say that there is no vacancy in Anambra State Government House.
Dr. Uzodike, OON is the Chief Executive of Cutix Plc and a community leader
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IS THIS A CASE OF A MAN JUMPING FROM ONE PARTY TO THE OTHER LOOKING FOR WHERE HE CAN BENEFIT?
This was an interesting article that almost convinced me to the other side , but i decided to check out the authenticity first , because the call was rather too late .If any one just made up their minds who to throw their weight behind only two weeks to the elections then we as investigative outfit must dig for any motives. Here are my findings so you judge for your self , The truth must be told with facts and figures and Liliacpower is not afraid to tell it as it is. ANAMBRA 2003 He CONTESTS UNDER P.M.P and looses. http://www.ajuluforanambragovernor.com Ajuku Uzodike Uzodike, Ajulu ( P.M.P ) Candidate: Gilbert Obiajulu Uzodike was the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP) gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State in the 2003 election. Biography. Web site based in East Orange, New Jersey. INEC clears 26 parties for election in Delta, Anambra From Sunny Ogefere (Asaba) and Chuks Collins (Onitsha) IT is a clear coast for 13 political parties to participate in tomorrow's election in Delta State just as the same number of parties have been cleared for the poll in Anambra State. Also cleared were Chief George Moghalu of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Mr. Ajulu Uzodike of Peoples Mandate Party (PMP); and Chief Joe Martins Uzodike of the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP), amongst others. Fails under P.M.P and joins Ngige Transitional team P.D.P in same 2003 Ajuku Uzodike Ngige Sets Up 25-man Transition Committee Anambra By Charles Onyekamuo in Awka
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Anambra State Governor-elect, Dr. Chris Ngige, has set up a 25-member co-ordinating transition committee to liaise with the out-going Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration on the modalities for a smooth hand-over.
The committe has Igwe Alex Nwokedi (Uthoko iv) as chairman, while Mr. Bertrand Akazue will act as the secretary.
Other members of the committe are Mr. Ichie S.I Anyigbo, Prof. A.B Udedibia,Colonel Bob Akonobi (rtd), Dr. Steve Ibenta, Mr. Nnamdi Oyeka, Dr. Eddy Nwabunike, Prof. Gaius Igboeli, Prof. Okey Mbonu, Dr. (Mrs.) Uche Nzewi Prof.John Ogbazi and Mr. D.O. Anumba.
The list also included Barr. Okey Okwuego, Prof. Z.S.C. Okoye, Chief Kenneth Ikwuemesi, Mrs. Ijeoma Umolu, Engr. Ajulu Uzodike, the governorship candidate of Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), Chief Emma Nwankwo, Prof. Boniface Egboka, Chief Gabriel Akwueze, Chief Ikenna Nduaguba, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Okunna, Mr. Benjamin Udozo and Engr. Emeka Nwawka.
Meanwhile, Ngige has thanked the people of Anambra State for the support so far accorded him since his victory at the polls.
He expressed the gratitude while addressing members of the Anambra Christian Women Associa-tion, who paid him a solidarity visit in Awka yesterday and enjoined them as mothers to play roles that would ensure peace, unity and stability of the state through organising the homes to restrain their children from being used as agents of destabilisation and truncate the nascent democracy. In 2007 He joins Gov Andy Uba Transitional team UNDER P.D.P Ajuku Uzodike click to verify : http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/east/se230042007.html Uba constitutes 98-member transition committee
By Anayo Okoli
Posted to the Web: Monday, April 30, 2007
AwkaAnambra State Governor-elect, Mr. Andy Uba has constituted a 98-member Transition committee headed by the Chairman of Police Affairs Commission, Chief Simon Okeke.
Tagged Igwebuike Transition Committee, the committee is all-embracing as it has as members a governorship candidate who contested with Uba and people from various other fields of endeavor.
Members of the committee which will be inaugurated today in Awka are Chief Vin Nwosu who will serve as the Secretary of the committee, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Chief G. U. O. Okeke, Maj. Gen. Sam Momah (rtd), HRH Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, Chief Okwuchukwu Ezeaku, Prof. (Mrs.) Ebele J. Maduewesi, Chief Joshua Nkparu, Hon. Mike Balonwu, Rev. Prof Israel Okoye, Chief C. C. Ifeanyi, Prof. Sam Enyibe, Prof. Onuora Nwuneli, Barr Odi Ikpeazu, Chief Joe Ifediobi, Prof (Mrs.) Chinelo Nzelibe, Chief Dan Ulasi, Barr Vin Ezeaka and Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbunam.
Others are Prof. Ikechukwu Nwosu, (Mrs.) Ify Obegolu, Col. Ike Nwosu (rtd), Monsignor John-Bosco Akam, Mr. S. E. Chukwujekwu, Dr. Obinna Uzor, Mr. Ben Akah, Prof. Paul Modum, Prof. Patrick Ngoddy, Dr. Eric Okunna, Chief John Uche Onyebuchi, Chief Chuba Egolum, (Engr.) Emma Nnanna, Prof. (Mrs.) Mabel Akpuaka, Mr. Benjamin Ezeagwu, Arc. Lemdi Anakor, Engr. Fort Dike, Chief Bonny Okoye, Prof. (Mrs.) Uche Nzewi, Mr. Tim Umeasiegbu, Prof. Jonny Ogbaze, Igwe (Dr.) Obi Ogene, Mrs. Njideka Okeke, Dr. Annie Uzo Okigbo, Dr. (Mrs.) Ikechi, Prof. Ethel Nwagbo, Mr. Dan Jideofor, Dr. Emmanuel Emelumadu and Chief M. B. Umeh.
Also in the committee are Chief Ben Onyemaizu, Engr. Oliver O. Oranezi, Mr. Chike Maduekwe, Mr. Ikenna Ndaguba, Mr. Emeka Ifezulike, Prof. John Amazigo, Chief S. C. Obieli, Mr. Uchem Obi, Mr. Ken Igbokwe, Mr. Henry Jidiani, Sir Patrick Nwosu, Prof. Okey Mbonu, Dr. G. Ejekam, Dr. Ugonna Muoneke, Mr. Okey Okafor, Prof. Martin Aghaji, Dr. Amamchukwu Ezike, Dr. A. U. Kachi, Dr. Fred Odua, Barr. Oyibo Obasi, Mr. Nwachukwu Egbochukwu CP (rtd), Prof. Umeasiegbu, Mr. Elim Dim, Chief A. A. A Obibiaka, Chief Ike Ndiokwelu, Prof. B.C. E. Egboka and Dr. Obi Anyanyo.
The rest are Mr. Ajulu Uzodike, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, and Barr. Bright Nnebedum, Dr. (Mrs.) Mae Nwoye, Mr. Achuzie Ezenagu, Mr. Agochukwu Okpalaoka, Mr. Emmanuel Nwofor, Dr. Goddy Onyeama, among others.
Barr. (Mrs.) Amaka Igu-Araka, Sir Emma Ezenwaji, Mr. Nicholas Okoye, Comrade Churchill Okonkwo, Chief Ken Ikwuemesi, Chief Osita Okosime, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkiru Nnadozie, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina, Engr. Dan Egwu, Mrs. Chinyere Asika, Chief E. O. Oduenyi, Dr. Basil Nwankwo and Mr. Kene Nzekwe.
The statement announcing the appointment was signed by the Deputy Governor-elect, Mrs. Stella Odife.
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http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/east/se230042007.html In 2010 joins APGA and makes a last minute call two weeks to the election Ajuku Uzodike NO VACANCY IN ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE[i]
I was asked a year ago by several people whether I intended to contest or could be made to be interested in contesting the gubernatorial election in Anambra State in 2010. My answer was an emphatic No! My reason was that the current Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, was doing a very good job .
IS THIS A CASE OF A MAN JUMPING FROM ONE PARTY TO THE OTHER LOOKING FOR WHERE HE CAN BENEFIT?
Thank you so much Dr Uzodike. The new generation of Anambrarians will always look up to Critical and positive minded like you. Really I agree with you that there is no vacancy at government house Awka since we have a working governor who has shown a clear direction to a glorious Anambra state.
Pharm. Ikenna , Anambrarian based in Calabar.