GOVERNOR OBIANO AND ISSUE OF SPEAKERSHIP ZONED TO ANAMBRA NORTH
Many Ndi Anambra received the news of the emergency of Hon Uche Okafor from Ayamelu (Anambra North) as the Speaker of the 7th Assembly of the State. This has come as a surprise to many stakeholders.
This is against the principle of natural justice and equitable distribution of Political Offices in the State right from Mbadinuju era.
Let us go back to History. When Ex-Governor Mbadinuju was sworn in 1999. He was from Anambra South. While his Deputy Prince Chinedu Emeka was from Anambra North and the Speaker Hon Barth Onugbolu was the Speaker from Anambra Central and later Hon Keluo muolokwu from the same Anambra Central.
In 2003,Dr Chris Ngige was sworn in as Governor. He is from Anambra Central while His Deputy Okey Udenze was from Anambra South. When Okey Udenze was impeached. He was still replaced him with Anambra South deputy Governor from Nanka. While Barr Mike Balonwu was chosen as speaker from Anambra North.
In 2007,Senator Andy Ubah contested for election that was not meant to be in the first place,because Mr Peter Obi’s Tenure has not expired. Andy Ubah won the election. He is from Anambra South while His Deputy Mrs Odife is from Anambra North. In the House of Assembly,Andy Ubah practically installed all the 30 House of Assembly members. He brought in Anayo Nebe from Anambra Central who lost his primary to Keluo muolokwu then and installed him as Speaker.
When Supreme Court sacked Andy Ubah and brought Mr Peter Obi back. This was the beginning of the alteration in the sharing of Political Offices. Mr Peter Obi said since he is from Central and His Deputy from South. It is morally wrong to have a Speaker from Central. He tried on two occasions to remove Anayo Nebe and replaced him with A SPEAKER from the North. It didn’t work. This is because all the 30 members were PDP.
Then in 2010 Election. Peter Obi was up against Dr Ngige,Soludo,Andy Ubah and Ezemo. Peter Obi performed poorly. He went to Anambra North. He promised them Speaker and that the Governor will zoned to them. Mr Peter Obi fought his Last battle in the Governorship. He later won though he rejected the process earlier before he was declared winner.
In 2011,Mr Peter Obi having stayed a year and 9 months before the General Election zoned the Speaker to Anambra North which produce Mrs Chinwe Nwaebili as Speaker. Chinwe was there when 2013 Governorship was conducted and Obiano became the Governor whom He retained till 2015 Election.
GOVERNOR Obiano from North and Speaker from North. This imbalance was corrected in 2015 election. When Chinwe was told that the Speaker will go to South to balance it then. She didn’t recontest. She went for House of Representatives election and lost to Chuchu Onyema of PDP. She was brought back into the Government and was made Commissioner for Environement.
After the 2015 Election. Madam Speaker, Rita Maduagwu was made Speaker from South. While Obiano and his Deputy were from North and Central. It was during her Tenure that a lot of financial misappropriation happened in the state. The debt of the State rose astronomically.
Our Budgets were done in secrecy. The story of Three Flyovers at Awka and the amount used for It still remains a secret. How the Paris refund was utilised in the State and some borrowing from commercial banks. All these made the Governor to promise her the return ticket back to the House.
She went to Primaries and Lost to one Vibrant youth,Mr Chieloka. The ticket was taken from the young man and handed over to Madam Speaker for her to come back and continue where she stopped with the Governor. Under her stewardship,Anambra State became a heavy debt State,in fact No 7 in Nigeria according to data from Debt Management Office (DMO).
In 2019 election. She lost her return to the House. They did all humanly possible to return her and upturn the election in her favour. It all failed. Then the Govenor was left with no alternative to look for a stooge that will do his bidding.
He looked at Anambra South,where they have two House of Assembly Members elect from His Party. Mr Paschal Agbodike who is also a ranking member in the house. HE DIDN’T TRUST HIM BECAUSE HIS LOYALTY was to a man called Obi Jackson and Allen Onyema (Air Peace). In two occasions,Mr Obi Jackson,Allen Onyema and ABC Orjika have to intervened for Governor to see reasons why the Speaker should remain in the South. And this is the first time an Ihiala man will be Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. The Governor rejected their interventions. He installed a stooge who He believed that He has his loyalty to him,who will do his bidding.
Now,APGA has come out with an excuse that Governorship has been zoned to South. A Govenroship Election which nobody knows who will emerge in One year and 9 months time. Why can’t APGA and Gov Obiano allowed Ndi Anambra South to enjoy their Speakership until 2021 when the Governor will emerge. Then we will know whether he is from Central,South or North.
This is because there is no zoning in Anambra State. This is APGA arrangement which they have been using to deceive Ndi Anambra.
Zoning the Speaker to Anambra North is not in any way an advantage to Anambra South. This is because Mr Peter Obi and PDP are preparing their candidate from Central or North. And some persons from Anambra Central and North are preparing for Governorship also.
The truth of the whole thing is that The Govenor wanted a stooge that he will cover his tracks. He didn’t trust anybody from South. He didn’t trust Anybody from Ihiala because those men are well endowed.Ndi Anambra should begin to ask questions
Another Paris refund is coming to the State. Where and how will the money be used. There are so many abadoned roads projects in the State. Look at the Erosion menace at Nkwo Nnewi now. Look at what is happening in Oraukwu-abatete road,Ndiukwuenu-ufuma road and so many others.
Let the Speaker be brought back to Anambra South. Let them enjoy their own based on Natural justice. When a new governor emerge. If he is from Anambra South,there shall be a change in the Leadership of the House or in 2023 election,it will be properly zoned to another zone depending on where the Deputy Governor comes from.
In finally analysis,it is evidently clear that APGA is a scam. Anambra State has overgrown APGA and it’s Ojukwu sentiment.
I still remain Paschal Candle.
