How Ngige Plays His Politics In Anambra , Unbelieveble

                 

His past tells that, win or lose, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has never cut the image of a politician to be glossed over, – never another run-of-the-mill politician contented with the mere promptings of ,soapbox theatrics. 

Ngige, a senator of the 7^th Nigeria’s Senate, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, boasts of exceptional astuteness and suavity in his play of politics, particularly as it affects electoral matters. His political opponents can ill afford to keep their eyes less on the ball, as he spares no opportunity to rub-in their failings; he would rather breast the tape first, preferring to leave his opponents to contend with the legality of his triumph. A vignette of Ngige’s politics in Anambra State since 2003, from the campaigns to post election matters, leaves an astounding impression of his value in the state’s political arithmetic. Ngige’s role in the state politics is catalytic in the sense that his essence is preserved by the legendary impermeable personality that he exudes in the milieu of the turbulent politics that signifies his political presence. Ngige could jump camp with minimal cost to his bearing, and promptly resume his scheme without qualms.

The Anambra State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party which, in concert with the National Electoral Commission, skewed his installation as the governor of Anambra State in 2003 aches till date from internal rancour, rejection by the electorate and other repercussions following the electoral travesty it endorsed – eleven years after; while Ngige, the prime beneficiary of the sham, has long taken a long walk: negotiating new opportunities en route to his ambition of attaining and sustaining political headship.

Senator Ngige has woven a cult impression around himself. This drives his electoral fortunes in whichever party on whose platform he stands for election. He assumes the ego symbol of the party, hence his declaration that he would win 2010 gubernatorial contest even under a Sheep Party – connoting a party peopled by fools. That is how much he prides himself. He lost that election woefully anyway, thereby demystifying his gait of invincibility.

Regardless of the knocks he has had to bear, Ngige singularly enjoys a bizarre reputation for his dogged post election contests at Anambra State Election Tribunals, where he has made regular appearances since 2003 when the All Progressives Grand Alliance and their candidate in the 2003 Anambra Gubernatorial Election, Mr. Peter Obi, dragged him and his party, the People’s Democratic Party, before Justice Nabaruma led Anambra Governorship Election Tribunal on allegations of rigging and other electoral frauds. He lost in Justice Nabaruma Tribunal in August 2005, lost the appeal in Justice Rabiu Muhammed led judgement of Federal Court of Appeal, Enugu, on 15 March 2006, and lost occupation of both the Governor’s Lodge and Government House, Awka . But since that inaugural Tribunal appearance of his in 2003, Dr. Chris Ngige has variously approached the Tribunals in his quest to assume the first citizen of Anambra State; just as he has been there to defend his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone against Prof. Dora Akunyili’s petition.

In 2010, Ngige contested in what till date could go for the most keenly contested governorship election in Anambra State, given the calibre of the candidates: Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Andy Ubah, Dr. Chris Ngige, Iyom Uche Ekwunife etc. Mr. Peter Obi however trounced the other candidates as the votes in his favour nearly surpassed the sum of all the other contestants’. Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria, who came a distant second by INEC’s announcement headed for the Tribunal where he was found to have questionably benefited from fraudulent padding of vote figures. The discovery took him further away from the mark as it placed him third. The Tribunal did not grant his plea after all.  

In a desperate swing to salvage a dwindling political stature, Ngige bared all he could muster to win the Anambra Central Senatorial seat in 2011. The controversial election which sits him in the Senate today best showcases Senator Ngige as a prized fighter who believes that ‘every act is fair that guarantees victory in a fight.’ He was declared winner by INEC and he sustained the victory through his ingenious machinations – deliberate delays and all – which took their toll on Prof. Akunyili’s flight in politics. But that victory would not quiet Ngige’s restive dispositions for governing Anambra State. Under the All Progressives Congress, therefore, Senator Ngige in 2013 again vied for Anambra gubernatorial seat. His party again lost to a more popular party in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance and he lost to a candidate more acceptable to the electorate, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano.

Again, Ngige would not bear a third consecutive loss in his determination to assume headship of the Government House at Awka. Again he headed for the Tribunal to register discontent for a crumbled hope. Ndi-Anambra are however confident that the Justice Ishaq Bello led Tribunal will not be swayed by the emotions of one who, having tasted the powers of a state governor, albeit illegally, might now be driven by selfish undertones of such allurements rather than abide by the yearnings of one’s people for a homogenous voice in a discourse where the wellbeing of the clan obviously wears familial colorations. The choice of Ndi-Anambra in 2013 lends veracity to their preferences for a voice whose resonance intuits nativity amidst the cacophonies which have progressively failed in the struggle to impress understanding on Nigerians of various bents.

Okechukwu Anarado writes from Adazi-Nnukwu.

 Courtesy Odera.igbo