I cannot
agree any less with Kinsley Udemezue. It will take more than the maligning
posts of internet rats like Fejiro Oliver and APGA Alaigbo to diminish the
towering personality of Governor Willie Obiano. It is understandable why they
have consistently attacked the governor. What Obiano achieved in security,
infrastructure, investments, welfare, environment, transportation etc within 1
year, their pay master could not in 8 years. What he had, at best, was a middling
achievement. In the words of Professor Chukwuma Soludo Peter used his 8 years in
office to circulate poverty in Anambra state. He paid Anambra workers slave
wage and gypped political appointees of their allowances. He would travel light
only to return and collect allowances of those who should travel with him, but
did not.
To make
matters worse I read what somebody wrote about Peter’s years in government. The
writer was making defense for Peter, saying he did not appoint any Agulu man to
position in government. The writer challenged readers to contradict his claim. What
struck me first was to accept the claim as written. But on a second thought I
decided to scour the lines for a proof of the writer’s boast. What I found instead
was a well-woven lie that needed no exertion to crumble. Not only were Agulu
people appointed to positions in government, they were allowed unqualified, but
subtle access to power. My source told me that an academic from Agulu was in charge
of Government House funds as were others. The following positions he said were occupied
by Agulu people - SSA media, SSA Legal, SSA inter party relations, SSA
education, SSA administration, Personal Secretary, MD ASWAMA, SSA liaison
office was a blood relation, Special Adviser Parks and Market, SSA donor
agencies etc. The list is endless. I expressed surprise that this number of
persons was appointed from one town when Peter was said to have worked with a
lean staff. I was also made to believe that Peter used his last days to massively
develop Agulu.
My source was
very bitter as he told me the story. He said that Peter lost any moral ground
to accuse Ngige of developing his place at the expense of other places. “What
is the justification? The unfortunate thing is that people prefer pretenders to
real people. My fear however, is that you may be walking a tight rope, trying
to convince the people that Peter is not a saint. Today he has slipped into the
presidency to continue to advance himself. The man lives a lie. The problem of
the new governor is that he is blunt. He does not pretend and I think that is
the way to go. Anambra people will, sooner than later, understand who Peter is.
All what you read on the net are attempts by his image launderers to sustain
his waning political influence in the state. The man hugs limelight like fear
does darkness. That is why he quickly jumped into the ruling party to stave off
political irrelevance that would have beclouded him within a year of Obiano’s
purposeful governance”.
After
listening to him I told him that the information is not in the public domain. I
was convinced that very few people, including the internet rats, have the
facts. If they did they would have seen through
the façade and divest themselves of gullibility. What Peter has used
effectively is make-believe. And it has been difficult for many to deconstruct
him. Unfortunately, his attack dogs believe he can remain relevant once Obiano
is brought down. But both men are hewed from different rocks. They are diametrical
opposites with different political ideology. While Peter sees politics as an
avenue to advance personal gains Obiano sees it as service to the people. That
is why today Obiano has tweaked governance to have human face while at the same
time working assiduously for the uplift of the State. That never existed under
Peter.
Bili
Iloewenandu writes from Arlington Texas
No comments:
Post a Comment