OBI vs OBIANO: My Take on The N75B Debacle

                                                              
To be honest, I am very impressed with the recent development in Anambra concerning the N75B left in cash (near and far) and investments. It shows that we have upped the game in leadership, nation building and fiscal management. When others are leaving empty treasury and debts, we are making investments for generations unborn. Yet Nigeria thinks we are unfit to run country...that will be for another day.
Indeed since the days of Sen Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige (Onwa) and Mr Peter Obi (Okwute), Anambra has been on a forward-ever-backward-never march. The challenge is that we still have this needless predecessor-successor face-off which causes a lot of waste through frequent turn-over of ideas, programs and people. Real continuity has not happened. Even Peter never appreciated Ngige's effort in building Anambra and ultimately wrestling power from then PDP and handing over to him. He suffered unfair comparison between Ngige and himself too and I believe that, though he survived it, it made the job a little harder. I like the two gentlemen and their spirits. Till today, I still blame Peter for not ever giving Ngige due credits. I may not share this view with a lot of people but that's my view.

Obiano's problem is, to be a little more blunt, partly inferiority complex and partly politics. He wants to assert himself and then Victor Umeh makes him believe that he wasn't Peter's choice candidate during the election. But rather that he (Victor) "arm-twisted" Peter into choosing him. But he forgot that Peter single-handedly made him governor. In fact people voted Peter Obi at the elections and not Gov Obiano. It is only normal and fair that he appreciates and respects that. But I care less about their personal relationship but more about the experiential contribution Peter would have brought to the table.

However, there is still a lot of time and some good options for Gov Obiano incase he wishes to go for a second term.
Before 2017 election (and eventual handover on Mar 17, 2018), he could deliver amazing value to the people of Anambra. There is no other way to impress us apart from quality governance which we have enjoyed from the Ngige days till now. Nobody cares about your flamboyance, drinking habit or convoy fleet. Just articulate what you have done for the state (if you haven't begun, begin now!) and your plans for the future and if, in the light of current realities, you convince us that you have made the best out of the opportunities and resources available to you; and if your future plans are S.M.A.R.T., then you can have the people's votes again. You cannot buy Anambra voters! But if you spend your time and resources fighting Peter, you will have more to lose. Indeed, I recommend you both mend fences. I know you can do without him but I think you can do more with him.

Remember that we will continue to compare your administration with those of your predecessors, sometimes unfairly, because we are now more aware of what the issues are and can ask the right questions. Therefore the only way to "diminish" your predecessor (I doubt if that should be your goal...) is by doing exceedingly more for the people than he did. Having visibly developed the state more than your predecessor, it will not even be out of place if you leave more than N75B for your successor in the end to prove that you are better.
It is also your responsibility to manage the communication between you and the people effectively.
By Ignatius Ezeani
I wish you the best.

Long Live Anambra State!