Written by Obinna Akukwe
President Muhammadu
Buhari is still insisting that elections in Anambra State will be free and fair
in line with the promises he made to Governor Obiano twice when the former
visited him in Aso Eock, our contacts within the villa had insisted. The first visit
to Buhari was on October 2nd and was brokered by powerful elements within
Daura in Katsina State, the President’s
home town who were convinced and induced that Obiano can be retained in Anambra
State for security purposes. These elements helped broker the first meeting
where Buhari told Governor Obiano that he is not particular about who wins the
elections.
Days later, we were
told that another more private meeting ensued between Buhari and Obiano and the
sacked SGF, Babachir was present.
Governor Obiano raised concerns about issues bordering on INEC neutrality and change
of security personnel and Buhari promised that nothing will railroad a free process.
Governor Obiano had earlier
met with Mamman Dauta, Buharl’s influential nephew who advised that the former
joins the APC to make his return as Governor easier. Governor Obiano was said
to have initially replied that he would rather pack his load and leave
governors lodge rather than abandon APGA later promised to give the idea a second
thought. However, when the APC campaign for Tony Nwoye kicked off and enemies of his
ambitioby elements were blocking
mobilization of funds for his campaign, the medical doctor activist was given a
cold reception especially by powerful elements within APC including Tinubu camp because they believe that an accord that
Obiano will move to APC after winning elections has been reached already and
any support for Nwoye is waste of funds.
Governor Ambode could
not mobilize maximum support for Nwoye. Tinubu also told close friends that as
long as Ngige will manage any campaign funds, it is not advisable because he is
miserly with money based on past experience when late Chukwuma Azikiwe attacked
Tinubu for not helping Ngige with funds for campaign when the former believed
that they have sent enough funds to the former Anambra State governor but the
funds were not seen on ground.
Nwoye’s problems were
compounded by Senator Andy Uba who used his clout within the party to ensure
that Tony Nwoye who defeated him in the primaries was not acceptable by the APC
power brokers. He told people that Tony is a rascal whom he brought up into limelight
in PDP during Obasanjo presidency when he was moving about as students leader
and singlehandedly made him PDP Chairman in the state. He described Tony Nwoye
to his distinguished colleagues in the upper chamber as an ingrate who has no
respect for seniority and rankings.
Equally Dr Chris Ngige former Governor of Anambra State was afraid that
Tony Nwoye as governor will retire him politically. He also privately pointed
at his ordeal as Governor when Nwoye led the people that burnt down government
structures at Awka.. Therefore they gave a bad impression about the Nwoye
governorship to APC stakeholders.
The APC aspirant was blackmailed and denied
the much needed funds from the center. Chief financier Arthur Eze never
bargained for the volume of funds he was releasing while the party stood akimbo.
Governor Abubakat of Bauchi State, E;-Rufai of Kaduna State and Rochas Okorocha
of Imo State had to start marketing candidate Nwoye afresh and had to beg
President Buhari fulfill his earlier promise and visit Anambra State to give support to Nwoye. Had President
Buhari visited Anambra State on the earlier scheduled date on November 4th,
clear 14 days to the polls, the political equation would have favored the APC tremendously,
given that Nwoye has his way round with the youth.
The APC and PDP were
uncomfortable with the rapport between the Commissioner of Police, DSS and INEC
with Governor Obiano. The APC
particularly pressed for change of CP’S ahead of the election to ensure
neutrality. Thus while the ADC and CSO of Obiano was withdrawn, the rest over
200 policemen attached to him were left intact.. This was done, according to
our sources within the villa, without the knowledge of Buhari . The IGP used
his initiative, acting on existing petitions from opposition parties to effect
a change of senior security aides of Obiano. Governor Obiano capitalized on the
flaws and raised alarms which attracted widespread condemnation. Buhari had to
order the reinstatement and privately queried the rationale for the action.
The battle had taken
a new twist. Buhari has a soft spot for Obiano especially since the later
helped to bring stability to Anambra State when IPOB were threatening with
calls for Biafra. . All the security agencies have a favorable security report
on him especially the handling of IPOB threat. . IPOB members accused Obiano of
sending soldiers to kill their members while the governor insisted that he is
securing the state from hoodlums who hijacked IPOB to cause mayhem.. The Chief of Army Staff Report on IPOB
submitted to the President, , commended the efforts of Governor Obiano at
bringing peace. Therefore, buoyed with all these evidences, Buhari has every
cause to be comfortable with Obiano.
Another group within
APC wanted Obiano to make a [ledge to defect to the party if he wins , the negotiations
seems to be tactically inconclusive ,to
the discomfort of some persons within APC. However, Governors Abubakar,Okorocha,
El Rufai group wants a takeover of Anambra State for the strategic interests of
APC and national cohesion.. At the Awka rally, Okorocha begged Buhari to use
his magic wand to make Tony Nwoye governor. That magic wand signifies federal
might. He also complained to Buhari that Dr Ngige had refused to grow taller
than his size. The message was that Ngige had refused to understand what is at
stake in Anambra State. The occasion was used again to make Senator Andy Uba endorse Tony Nwoye, ending weeks of
rifts.
The problem is that
President Buhari is in a dilemma. Obiano has done well on security and could as
well be helpful in 2019. Tony Nwoye had surprised him with the level of massive
support he garnered among political power holders across states. Who wins tomorrow’s
polls will be determined by Buhari’s last minute body language. The heavy
military presence in Anambra State has not yet been given any instruction to
assist any candidate. Their brief is still limited to maintaining peace and stopping
IPOB from causing mayjem. Buhari seems
to differ with APC leadership on federal might in Anambra State
but the next few hours will determine who wins the race, and that depends on
the President’s body language,
(Obinna Akukwe, a cleric, writer, activist is the Director
General of Igbo Mandate Congress IMC)
profetobinna2@yahoo.com,
@ObinnaAkukwe, facebook.com/obinnaakukwe
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