By Jude Atupulazi
We have reached a period in which things keep happening in quick succession. It is not unexpected because it is the almighty political period. Under one week a lot had happened and I’m pretty certain that before you read this, many more would have happened. Top of those happenings were the renewed attacks on former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, by Nigerians – both on the home front and away from home. Like the Golden Fish, Obi seems not to have any hiding place, as every move he makes and everything he says courts controversy; avoidable ones, I must say. What are they?
Soludo’s anti- Obi obsession
Really, silliness must have a limit. This is what I will describe the obsession of Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s obsession of throwing jabs at Obi, his long-time predecessor, at every opportunity, as. This is despite Obi giving Soludo eight long years in seniority as far as the governance of Anambra State is concerned.
Actually one would think that Soludo just directly inherited the office from Obi, given the way the former delights in picking fights with the latter. If he isn’t writing long letters on why Obi cannot become president (this is the worst faux pas Soludo has committed), it is about telling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Obi only left a legacy of a brewery in the state.
Now, it is about going to great lengths to rubbish the importance of that same brewery in the state, through a publication by the Revenue Office of the state that the brewery, SaBMiller, is just the sixth largest revenue earner for the state.
This followed Obi’s statement at a campaign ground that SaBMiller generates the most revenue in the state. In response, the Anambra Revenue Office published a list of the top six revenue generators in the state which showed that the top five are all banks with headquarters outside Anambra. It turned out that only SaBMiller is based in Anambra. Lest you forget, SaBMiller was attracted to Anambra by Peter Obi during his stint as Governor in his first tenure.
But by publishing that list, which was aimed at rubbishing the importance of that brewery once more, the Anambra State Government invariably scored an own goal by unwittingly admitting that, minus the banks owned by people outside the state, it is only the company the state owns that wholly generates the most revenue for the state.
But the self-indicting aspect of the publication was the acceptance that since the attraction of that company, the state had made no new investments but only relying on banks owned by others outside the state to do so.
But my concern isn’t even about that argument. My concern is about what Soludo gains from always throwing jabs at Obi as if Obi is contesting his seat.
The last time I checked, Obi will not be in the ballot on November 8. Those who will be there are Soludo and others. Why then the obsession by the Soludo Government with going after Obi? Indeed, I was really pissed off when I read the current episode in the orchestrated attacks against Obi by the incumbent government in Anambra.
There just was no need for that. It is an uncontestable fact that Obi is Anambra’s best export to Nigeria in politics at the moment and I have not seen anyone who can better him in the next four years; not even Soludo.
Obi understands the game more than Soludo. This may not sit well with some Soludo supporters. I say ”some” because I know many understand I’m telling the truth. No Nigerian in recent times has come close to Obi in national politics in terms of quality and genuineness.
This is the truth. And Obi relies on no one carrying him on the back to make inroads. He has been his own man and even without a recognized structure was able to win the last Presidential Election before being denied by the cabal. He has always consistently discussed issues and offered solutions and has been the biggest recognized opposition voice against the Federal Government.
Unlike many politicians, he has not been found to carry any garbage, despite how hard they have tried to find one. He is not also someone they can buy to keep quiet. I guess this is why many of the thieving politicians have chosen to hate him.
But funnily enough, all attempts to denigrate him have always backfired, with the masses fighting for him without being paid, as against the hirelings who fight him, either at the state’s expense or at the Federal Government’s expense.
I see no reason why Soludo should be displaying such pettiness against Obi, for that is what it is. Soludo is an accomplished academic, just as Obi is an accomplished business man. The two should be working together for the good of the state and Ndigbo; not this current show of shame we are seeing.
The last time Soludo was interviewed by Channels TV and asked to comment on Obi’s legacies, I had expected him to parry the question by telling the interviewer that he had not come to discuss Obi but his budget. But he fell for it and started talking about what did not sit well with many people. It smacks of one lacking in emotional intelligence.
Those to whom Soludo listens should please advise him to forget about Obi and go on with the business of governance in which he hasn’t fared badly. He is above what he is currently doing.
Attack from outside
The Edo State Governor, a man who was hoisted on the people of his state by the powers that be, was seen in a viral video telling Obi to refrain from coming to Edo State again as his safety would no more be guaranteed. This came after the Benue State Governor had said same thing.
Obi had recently visited a school in Edo State where he donated N15m in support of its development, but the Edo Governor, rather than being happy that an institution in his state was being helped, ranted that Obi would no more be welcome in the state without his say-so. Pray, Obi is an ordinary citizen.
He holds no political office and is therefore, free to move around and help people and institutions without announcing to the Governor of any state that he is coming. If he was a Governor, then it would be expected that his fellow Governor would be contacted to make adequate arrangements.
It is like asking me not to come to Edo State without the Governor’s permission before I can see my friends or help anyone or institution. It is obvious some people are just losing sleep over Obi and his philanthropic actions and it is just too bad. This shows the level our politics has descended to.
Popularity isn’t something you can buy from the market. Obi’s appeal is that he is viewed to be vastly different from other politicians whose main aim is to milk our commonwealth. We can therefore, understand their envy. But, please, they should not take out their frustrations on Obi with whom the masses of Nigeria are well pleased. It is not his fault. They should know that each attack on Obi makes him more popular.
Attacking Obi for flimsy reasons is silliness raised to power ten and it is amazing that those doing this have not realized what nearly everyone has.
Happy Birthday to my friends
Saturday, July 19 was the Birthday of two of my people, Mr Peter Obi and Senator Victor Umeh. Both have gone through thick and thin to get to their present positions. From their APGA days to now, fate seems to have decreed that they will remain inseparable, despite hiccups along the way. The same fate has made it possible for them to have the same birthday.
They have one thing in common too: doggedness. Fight with them and be ready to have a bloodied nose.
I wish them all they wish for themselves, as well as long life and prosperity.
…And Happy Birthday, Valentine
Another of my friend, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, clocked 55 years in his earthly sojourn. Ozigbo, a perfect gentleman who respects himself and others, held a breathtaking birthday bash last Sunday in Ekwulobia. He is unassuming, humble and intelligent; the kind we need in our politics. But Nigeria being what it is, his type are rejected for those who go on to hurt the system.
As you celebrate your birthday, Mr Ozigbo, I say your time will come. Your valiant efforts will not be in vain, for as long as there is life, there is hope. Keep on being you.
