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In
one of his many seminal essays on Nigeria, Chinua Achebe poignantly
observed that “Nigeria is what it is because its leaders are not what
they should be.” Indeed since Nigeria began its current democratic
experience, one of the most crucial tests we have had to face is the
quest for a responsible and astute leadership – a leadership that
represents the best the country has to offer in the management of the
affairs of men.
It
is interesting to note that while the country continues its search for
the right set of leaders that will consolidate its democratic journey at
the national level, hope looms like a rain-bearing cloud in the
regions. Not surprising, Anambra State is leading the charge in this
regard. Perhaps it is in fulfillment of its position as the light of the
nation, perhaps it stems from the pioneering role it has always played
in the history of the country. Whatever it is; it is no longer in doubt
that the fire of a silent revolution is presently aglow in Anambra State
judging by the set of candidates that the ruling party APGA is
presenting to the electorate in the coming elections.
Rebounding
from a long period of intriguing mutation during which time its power
and influence shrunk to only one state in the entire federation, APGA
has stepped out of the shadows to stake a claim to the future of Nigeria
through quality leadership. A quick look at the profile of the party’s
standard bearers in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ogun and
Zamfara states offers a deep insight into the party’s meticulous search
for quality representation at all levels of leadership. It is almost
evident that taking a cue from its Chairman BoT and National Leader,
Governor Willie Obiano, whose public career took off from a strong
private sector background, APGA seeks to push for a new paradigm in the
leadership of Nigeria.
It
is fascinating to see that among APGA’s impressive cast of candidates
for the coming elections is Engr. Ernest Ndukwe who as the former Vice
Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) played an
historical role in the evolution of the mobile phone industry in
Nigeria. Many thanks to Ndukwe, the Nigerian mobile phone market has
experienced an astronomical growth from a paltry 45,000 lines in 2002 to
88 million in 2011 and Nigeria is now the third largest mobile phone
market in the world. Today, Ndukwe, the architect of this phenomenon is
standing election in his home state of Anambra. Ndukwe seeks to
represent Anambra South in the Senate. He is running against Chief Chris
Ubah of PDP. In saner countries, it should be a no contest for Ndukwe.
But in Nigeria, politics is a game of probabilities.
It
is no less fascinating to note that after several years of weathering
countless political storms, Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of
APGA has finally thrown his hat into the political ring. Umeh is running
for the Senatorial seat of Anambra Central. This political titan packs a
wealth of experience that dwarfs his rivals. Interestingly, APC’s
Senator Chris Ngige who would have provided a counter weight to Umeh has
since decapitated himself politically with the ignoble role he played
in the aftermath of the brazen deportation of his kit and kin by
Governor Raji Fashola from Lagos. Ngige’s uneventful tenure in the
Senate has also driven a long nail in the coffin of his senatorial
ambition as many voters are scratching their heads to find one reason
why Dr. Ngige should be given yet another chance. As it were, Chief Umeh
has only himself to beat in the ensuing race.
Hon
Dubem Obaze’s emergence as the Senatorial candidate for Anambra North
follows APGA’s established tradition of fielding strong characters.
Obaze who is fondly known as “Ifeakachi,” is a highly influential
grassroots politician whose impact as an erstwhile Commissioner for
Local Government and Chieftancy Matters is still felt in Anambra state
to date. Obaze has a remarkable people’s touch and a striking
personality that draws people naturally to him. Like Ndukwe in Anambra
South, Obaze’s would have been a no contest. In fact, not even Princess
Stella Odua, former Aviation Minister, can present a challenge.
There
are also, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr, Ifeanyi Ibezim, Ferdinand Dozie
Nwankwo, Emeka Nwosu, Godson Ezenagu, Ifeanyi Momah, Tonia Tabansi,
Igwebuike Hygers Ifeanyi, Madubueze Peter Obiano and Gabriel Onyenweife
who together make up a formidable team of visionary young leaders who
are passionate about serving their various constituencies in a more
qualitative and purposeful way. When these gentlemen and woman get
elected as they indeed will, there is no doubt that Anambra will witness
the much anticipated rebirth and in so doing catalyze the entire South
East into pushing for the fielding of the very best in elective
positions.
Similarly,
APGA is blazing the same trail in some key states where it is fielding
candidates for various posts. Credit must go to Governor Willie Obiano
and the entire party leadership for superintending over the electoral
processes that threw up Dr. Alex Otti as a gubernatorial candidate in
Abia State, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho in Imo, Labaran Maku in Nasarawa,
David Olufemi Bamgbose in Ogun and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi in Zamfara
State. A close look at the pedigree of all the gubernatorial candidates
of APGA shows an unmistakable similarity in the quest for substance and
overall excellence among them. It is obvious that all the candidates
have great personal stories that set them apart from their rivals in the
various states where they are standing election.
After
years of first class performance in the commanding heights of corporate
Nigeria, Dr. Alex Otti who also made First Class in the university has
followed the footsteps of his friend, Chief Obiano and heeded the call
to rescue Abia State from the abyss. Otti is running a brilliant
issue-based campaign in Abia and garnering a massive support that will
ease his way into the state house. Being an accomplished technocrat,
Otti will no doubt transform Abia State in a very short time as his
friend has done in Anambra when given the mandate. Ndi Abia will be the
ultimate loser if they fail to vote him in. Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho
has been very much a captain of a flourishing business empire and pretty
much whatever else he has touched all his life. Iheanacho is reputed be
a wise man and an astute administrator who knows what it takes to offer
a purposeful leadership.
All
through his time in office as the Minister of Information, Labaran
Maku’s zestful brilliance held Nigerians spellbound. Labaran is
undoubtedly among the few young leaders in whom the hope for a better
Nigeria rests. The APGA model of governance is just the blueprint that
Maku needs to lift his people from the bootstraps of unbridled
privations and break a new path for accelerated development. The people
of Nasarawa State will bite their nails in avoidable regret if they fail
to elect him their governor. Prof. David Olufemi Bamgbose joined APGA
as a renowned educationist who pioneered the setting up of private
colleges of education in his native Ogun State. Bamgbose has made
indelible mark in the history of education in Nigeria as his Yelwa
College of Education has so far produced over 10,000 teachers in its
short history of existence. Bamgbose is development-minded and intensely
focused. Prof. Bamgbose will turn Ogun State into a centerpiece of
overall excellence if handed the mantle of leadership.
Alhaji
Sani Shinkafi is a large-hearted progressive leader whose sphere of
influence stretches across Nigeria. A firm believer in the common
destiny of the country, Shinkafi is known to have mastered the art of
leadership by consensus. His years of experience as a great party man
and consensus builder will certainly be of great benefit to the Zamfara
people who are in dire need of an urbane leader in his mould to chart
the course for a sustainable development.
In
all, it is very fascinating to see how, Chief Willie Obiano’s recent
assumption of office as the leader of APGA has influenced the emergence
of a crop of accomplished Nigerians seeking to make a change from
elective offices. Win or lose, the symbolism of their involvement in the
political process cannot easily be wished away. The subtle message that
underlines their bold ambitions reminds us that it is not enough to
aspire to serve. It is also important to serve on a reputable platform.
- Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, APGA Gubernatorial Candidate in Imo State, Chief Victor Umeh and Governor Willie Obiano during the Owerri Rally
- Chief Victor Umeh, APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State and Dr. Alex Otti, Gubernatorial Candidate for Abia State
- Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, Gubernatorial Candidate for Zamfara State
- Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Victor Umeh and Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra South
- Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr, APGA House of Representatives Candidate for Nnewi North & South
- Princess Chinwe Nwaebili, APGA House of Resps candidate for Ogbaru, Governor Willie Obiano and Hon. Dubem Obaze, APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra North
- Governor Obiano raising the hand of Hon Dubem Obaze, APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra North
- Governor Willie Obiano and Labaran Maku, APGA Gubernatorial Candidate for Nasarawa State
James Eze writes from Ifite, Awka.
