Former Governor Peter Obi’s tenure in Anambra State is distinguished by significant and forward-thinking contributions to the education sector. Renowned for his innovative and strategic approach, Mr. Obi eschewed the typical political maneuvers of constructing new, unnecessary infrastructure. Instead, he focused on the revitalization and maintenance of existing educational facilities, recognizing that the restoration of these institutions was essential for improving educational quality and integrity across the state.
Under his administration, Anambra consistently delivered outstanding results, notably leading Nigeria in WAEC scores for eight consecutive years. This achievement underscores the efficacy of Mr. Obi’s commitment to enhancing the educational framework without succumbing to the pressures of populist politics.
In a landmark move in 2011, Mr. Obi initiated the return of over 1,000 primary schools to their original owners, primarily churches, with a substantial investment of N6 billion to support their maintenance. This decision was grounded in the belief that the moral decay in society stemmed partly from the improper governance of educational institutions, which had been stripped from their missionary founders during the post-war era by the defunct East Central State Government. By reinstating these schools with their founding bodies, Mr. Obi aimed to reinstate the high standards of discipline and academics associated with them.
This policy did not merely transfer ownership; it fostered a collaborative environment where the state continued to pay staff salaries and the missions managed day-to-day operations, leading to a dramatic turnaround in the academic and moral landscape of these schools. The benefits of this initiative became evident when students from Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, under the auspices of the mission-run schools, clinched a gold medal at the World Technovation Challenge in Silicon Valley, highlighting the global competitive edge Anambra students could achieve.
The success of this educational policy has been widely recognized and upheld by subsequent administrations, further validating Mr. Obi’s visionary leadership. His efforts have been praised by various stakeholders, including religious leaders and educational authorities, who have noted the marked improvement in both the quality of education and the moral calibre of students.
In recognition of his revolutionary approach to education, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye of the Nnewi Diocese lauded Mr. Obi for his pivotal role in transforming Anambra’s educational landscape. The Bishop emphasized that the return of schools has not only restored educational excellence but has also rekindled the moral and ethical values that the missions strive to instill.
Today, Anambra’s educational achievements continue to reflect Peter Obi’s enduring legacy—an investment in sustainable education reforms that prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gains, ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are nurtured in institutions that cater to both their academic prowess and moral development.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Sure odds exist in sports betting, particularly in football. It allows you to benefit from the differences found between odds set between bookmakers. A profit is almost always guaranteed regardless of the outcome of the event; if it isn’t, don’t worry; you’ll be given a money-back guarantee, which means you’ll get your money back.
However, there are a slew of online con artists who promise gamblers a sure thing. The current claims made by APC and PDP candidates are comparable to giving us a winning lottery ticket. Consider whether you won any games in 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, or 2019 with their previous sure odds. We’ve had enough of losing money to bookies.
But, labour is promising us one sure odd. This odd is not an accumulator but a single odd that will greater our future and ensure that our kids return to school and have jobs, multiple jobs after graduation.
The sure odd does not only promise us a money-back guarantee, but it also ensures that our next bet on 2023 is insured regardless of match score and odds.
Would you rather not place this last bet using this coupon code: #PETEROBI2023 Next year’s general election is the last hope of the downtrodden. The last hope of the raped. The last hope of the jobless. The last hope of rescuing this country from marauding terrorists. Instead of using your urgent 2k to play a lucky deep with APC and PDP candidates, kindly take my sure odds and win a brighter and stable future!
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
All these senseless deaths and killings, and the fact that practically nothing is working in this country, are symptoms of the FAILURE OF STATE-CRAFT. In simple pidgin English, Govt no dey work again.
And the only practical solution is for all of us to convert all this righteous anger toward voting in a responsible Govt at the federal, state and local levels.
WITH THE NEW ELECTORAL ACT, THIS IS DOABLE.
Anyone offering you any other solution aside from this is simply taking you on a long emotional voyage to nowhere. That Buhari has been able to mess up our lives the way he likes for the past 7 years is because he has the power of Govt.
After the power of God, Political Power is the second most powerful power anywhere in the world.
Every nation, every group, and every organization rises and falls on LEADERSHIP. To this end, I appeal to you, in the name of all that you hold dear,
GO OUT TOMORROW AND GET YOUR PVC (Permanent Voters Card). Your lives for the next 8 years actually depend on that PVC and the choice you make with it.
If you are a social media person reading me right about now, I urge you to volunteer at an INEC centre near you to help make the process go smooth as well as protect people from greedy and unscrupulous INEC staff members who might want to frustrate them.
I will be at Okpara Square, Enugwu tomorrow morning from 9 am with other volunteers from Enugwu to ensure the exercise goes smooth. If you encounter any MAN-MADE challenges while trying to register for your PVC tomorrow at Okpara Square, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We have other sensitization programs which we will be unveiling soon towards getting people to go get their PVC. We intend to get all the major markets, supermarkets and restaurants on how to put a big notice sensitizing people about the need to go get the PVC. This is purely our voluntary contribution towards saving ourselves from the ugly situation in which we found ourselves.
YOU, too, SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN YOUR AREA AND START USING WHATEVER MEANS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO GET THEIR PVC.
The low number of registered voters in the southeast is quite troubling. But we can change this ugly story.
Aside from voting in a credible Govt at the centre, we also owe it to ourselves to pay more attention to the calibre of people we vote in to manage our home front (state and local Govt plus the national and local houses of parliament).
The 2023 election is one election that will determine whether we l!ve or we die, and I mean this literally. If we get it wrong, we are doomed. If we get it right, we may yet be redeemed from this impending army of the dead.
Many of you may not realize it, but the root cause of MOST of the problems we’ve been battling with stems from having absolute idiots manage our destinies at the state level, which gives them the power to influence who manages the local Govt offices which are closest to the people.
Let me take my own Southeast for example; so many Igbo youths have complained that our governors do not have our interests at heart. They failed to create a regional security outfit when we all wailed and cried for one. Ironically, we take no action in changing these governors when opportunities present themselves. Not only are they about finishing their tenures, but they are also about installing their successors BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS. With the new electoral Act which drastically reduces the chances of rigging, the chances of our votes counting have gone higher.
And let me touch on the big elephant in the room; some Biafra agitators say they want no part in anything election. Good! The problem is, you stand absolutely no chance at getting an independent Biafra Nation without participating in the political process because all through history, no people have ever extricated a new Nation from an existing one without following either the POLITICAL PROCESS or WAR. There is actually no 3rd option. You must have some form of political control over the region you are seeking secession for. And the fact that you don’t control even an ordinary councillorship seat anywhere in “BiafraLand” is a FUNDAMENTAL problem.
It’s not just enough to shout that you want Biafra, you must have a practical plan as to HOW you intend to get Biafra. You must be willing to go through the Political Process unless you have the means to subdue the Nigerian state MILITARILY, which remains doubtful as of today.
So in the end, you actually need to go get your PVC. Even your referendum is a Political Process that may require the PVC.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
I am proud of my brother, Gov. Peter Obi. I entitle my talk on him: ‘He came, he saw, he conquered. His governance of Anambra State was full of experiences worth sharing and indeed worth capturing in a book (if not books). It is evident that he really conquered. It deals a lot with his Excellency’s approach to governance over the years. His ways compel us to appreciate his personal qualities, his quiet strength, his passion to make a difference, his dignified and dignifying carriage and conduct, and his never-say-die spirit. I also respect him for what he achieved as a Governor of one of the toughest states in the country – Anambra.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote said that even people in Yobe know that it is not easy to govern Anambra State. I agree with him. In fact, the totality of Nigeria knows how tough Anambra State is; such that until Obi, no leader succeeded to offer them exhilarating leadership.
In Anambra, a State I am personally proud of, we have many intellectuals; those who are hard-working and the wealthiest of men and women. We call them big men and women in Nigeria, and yet among these personalities, Peter Obi has carved his own unique path – defined by humility, hard work and results. The results are clear. As we all know, we are actually using him as an example in so many areas. You will be surprised to know that some people used to say ‘No, keep away from Anambra State,’ we now say ‘Go and see what is being done in Anambra State.’ At the Federal level, his policies have become very good examples for the Educational Sector. Even if you do not like his approach and methods, you cannot quarrel with the results he has achieved. He returned schools to their original Church owners and collaborated with organizations that offered value to the State, acknowledging where the state did not have the capacity. Instead of beating one’s head against the wall and repeatedly making the same mistakes, he decided to make a bold turn. Today, the sterling results are evident.
I so envy what Peter Obi has been able to do here because he gained total control of the State after the initial storm. Many of the policies he tried here are the things we should be doing at the Federal level, both with our finances and policies, but, of course, we are totally hampered by the kind of structure we have. You know, when Peter Obi tried to change the schools, he did not just throw money at them, he was very careful about how he spent the money. He only spent when he was sure he was going to get results and sustainable improvement.
On the network of roads he constructed, I want to acknowledge the fact that few of the roads were the completion of roads Senator Chris Ngige started; even though when you go there now, everybody calls them Ngige roads. It does not matter to him that people would not attribute them to him, as long as the roads serve Ndi-Anambra. Elsewhere, some will abandon them and embark on their own projects. I think that he deserves a big applause. He also initiated and completed many road projects that today Anambra is regarded as having an impressive network of roads.
He attracted serious investors into the State. I knew when SABmiller came, he brought them to my office, and they probably felt they do not know how much money they could make here. They made an investment of about N20 Billion Naira equivalent. Very soon, their turnover and profit doubled and tripled beyond expectations. They are now expanding in the state, building more factories and thinking of other investments they can make. There are many other such examples with companies like Distell, Glaxo Smithkline Beecham, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, among others.
What I love and admire most in what Governor Obi has done in Anambra State is the fact that he did not neglect the indigenous people who have invested here for a long time. If Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company is known by everybody today at the Federal level, it is simply because Governor Obi made him a showcase. Such patronage is worthy of emulation. He has kept on soliciting Federal support for him, as he himself has supported him in various ways. We have to remember such investors and support them because they invested here first. That is what Obi has done, and I commend him for that.
The development-oriented approach to governance that he has followed while pursuing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is again very important. I will tell you that we have special commendations from the World Bank, and other international agencies have endorsed the way Anambra State pursued its MDGs programmes. This deserves another round of applause.
I see Peter as the true face of Igbo man, given the qualities for which he is known – the humility, the hard work and the prudence. He does not spend easily. He is very intelligent and extremely hard-working. These are quintessential qualities Igbo people are known for.
As the Poet, Virgil says, love conquers everything (Omnia Vincit Amor), and Peter conquers people by love. He can love you to death. If he has an enemy or somebody in conflict with him, instead of approaching them belligerently, he approaches them with respect and love so that even if they do not want him, they are won over. I think we should all look at those qualities. That does not mean that when the time comes to be tough, Peter runs away. I am sure people can tell stories of occasions Peter had been very tough. I know he has even bulldozed houses of people who did not do the right things. In Nigeria, you have to combine being kind and good with also being very tough.
By the sheer power of his personal examples, Peter tells us eloquently the way we should behave and the way we should govern. Though Anambra State has one of the tightest Federal allocations, he has been able to save a lot of money for the State. He has shown so much in development which some other States that receive more cannot boost of. Most importantly, he is leaving Anambra State with no debt but with huge savings. Let me tell you, at the Federal level, he is one of the few Governors that came out clearly in support of our stand to save. We don’t just spend everything. Every smart and sensible person knows that no matter your income, even if it is one naira, you must keep something aside. You never know the day you will need it for your children. So, on his own, he has saved money for the State, and I am very envious. Yes, we managed to save a little at the Federal Level, just a little, but we can do so much more. Even the one we managed to save, we have been spending, because somebody does not believe the Federal Government should save anything.
I want to strongly commend Obi for what he has done. Now, do not be deceived by Peter Obi. When you ask him who he is, he would say I am a trader. Maybe he is, but he is also one of the most enlightened Governors in the country today. He has a strong intellect combined with a practical grasp of real situations. The thing with Peter is that he can play both sides. It is not for nothing that the President invited him, among just the two governors that are Honorary Advisers on Finance. He is equally a member of the Economic Management Team. When Peter needs to show the intellectual side, he does, but when he needs to show the practical side after we would have talked about too much theory, he will say, ‘Wait, I talked with traders in Onitsha yesterday, and this is what they said.’ So he combines a strong intellect with a very good grasp of realities on the ground. He is a good economist. Peter is a true leader, and we always call on him at the Federal level when we need examples.
I want to say something about the incoming Governor. I hope you will continue to uphold the relationship at the Federal level. We always advise Anambra to be part of Federal programmes. The one we are working on now is the one on housing. We have launched the National Mortgage and Re-finance Corporation which, by the end of June, will start pumping money into primary mortgage institutions that actually lend to the people. We need to give hope to the young people in our country. So this Country has to change. To put a programme like that in place we invited fourteen states and Anambra was one of the first to enrol as a pilot state. The state has to meet certain criteria in terms of fastness in allocating land titles, and working with us on land infrastructure so that we can get builders to come and build. This programme is going to take off by the middle of this year, and we will want Anambra to be an example.
All in all, by giving his End of Tenure Report, Gov. Peter Obi has shown another example of good governance. We applaud him and wish him well.
Excerpts from the extempore speech by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala during the “End Tenure Report” by the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi.
Copied from Kenenna Obiatuegwu
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Last night, I became aware of the fact that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has been elected the PDP presidential candidate. Atiku has campaigned that he will privatize the major companies that define economic life in Nigeria – the oil and gas industries. On surface value, such a political statement may come across as refreshing, especially in a country where poverty has come to define the very fabric of social life.
However, the crisis our world is experiencing today is one invented by neoliberal capitalism that has failed woefully. Neoliberalism argues for the takeover of national economic structures by the economic elite in the name of a free-market economy. Nothing is free about this type of economic system. It argues for the survival of the fittest, economically, but secretly positions itself to benefit the very rich who are the direct stakeholders and decision-makers of such an economic system. Look at what this type of economic system has done to all the countries that adopted it; from Latin America to Asia; from Europe to North America. Neoliberalism has widened the wealth gap between the poor and the rich and has progressively wiped off the middle class from the global economic map.
Privatization of national economies, as being advocated by Atiku, will facilitate the end of what we all know today to be Nigeria. Poverty will skyrocket in the country as the very rich become richer. Neoliberalism, in a basic economy as that of Nigeria, where there are no checks and balances, will be a total embrace of endemic corruption. Nigerians will all lose at the end of the day.
Nigeria does not need to embrace an economic system that all reasonable countries are now running away from. Yes, Nigeria has been governed by thieves and liars, but it cannot allow itself to be murdered for good by its unethical politicians. Yes, we all need food on the table, but that does not mean that we have to embrace national suicidal tendencies. Neoliberalism is national suicide.
Nigeria needs the following if it hopes to survive: one, systems that facilitate transparency. Go digital all the way. By this, I mean, have credible records in place that can trace transactions and the sources attached to them. Most of Nigeria’s corruption occurs in the vague areas defining transactions. Because there are no record-keeping going on in the country, it is difficult to track down correctly all transactions. Two, Nigeria needs to simplify all governmental transactions. For example, there is too much double keeping going on in Nigeria that are avenues for stealing public funds. Why must one do fingerprinting every five years to renew their passport? Fingerprints are unique to each human being. Capturing it once is enough. Yet, the Nigerian government wants you to do it in their agencies that are monopolized by individuals so that whoever is in office steals those revenues. Three, Nigeria needs to adopt very strong antitrust laws. It is economically dangerous to have monopolies in a country, especially when those monopolies are linked to the survival of the nation. Four, Nigeria needs to endow its state and federal universities, and then move away from running such universities. Each university ought to now be able to fend for itself. A strict policy of having health insurance and capital base for its institutions should be enforced. This will ensure that those institutions that are themselves no longer sustainable ought to be allowed to shut down. Nigerian billionaires ought to play prominent roles in endowing these institutions. Take a cue from institutions in the western world on how to endow your respective programs. Five, Nigeria needs infrastructures. Roads, electricity, clean water, and access to good food ought to be the focus of the next government. Nigeria which was once called the food basket of West Africa is today unable to feed its citizens. A country that cannot feed its citizens is a failed state. Period!
Nigerians, no need to forget how you all got duped. Today, you are at the mercy of those who have duped you. Atiku is one of those who duped Nigeria. Buhari is one of those who duped Nigeria. Tinubu is one of those who duped Nigeria. Oshiomole is one of those who duped Nigeria. Obasanjo is one of those who duped Nigeria. No politician running for office today is free from corruption. They are all corrupt. They have put in place a system that caters to the agenda of the corrupt. How can an honest Nigerian find 100 Million Naira to pay for the presidential ticket? This is a clear sign that Nigeria has embraced oligarchic rule. Nigerians need to revolt against this and fight it all the way to its Supreme Court. A presidential ticket for all parties should not cost more than N1.00. I said it, one Naira. As citizens of the nation, it is your right to run for office. Money ought not to be an obstacle. A vote for any of the current presidential candidates is a vote for self-destruction as a nation. Nigeria can do better. I encourage the younger generation who have a clear sense of political philosophy to rise up to the occasion and run for office.
Nigerians, insist on the candidates running for office to define their political philosophies. Insist that the political parties explain their political philosophies. A simple question you ought to ask these politicians is this: What makes PDP philosophically different from APC or APGA? Because there is no political philosophy, that is why you find these politicians jumping from one party to another as the wind blows. The only philosophy operating in Nigeria is that of stealing national funds. If you vote for any of these thieves, you are giving electoral validation to their agenda to steal national funds. You are poor today because you allowed thieves to define your future. Shake them off. Refuse to settle for mediocrity anymore. Nigeria has a promising future with the right leaders in place. Cultivate the culture of good leadership and let your voices be heard by the people and not by the thieves who today govern the nation.
Finally, Atiku is not the saviour you are expecting. Ask him how he made his wealth. He has many unanswered questions before him. The man is corrupt to his bone marrow. Never forget that. Nigeria, do not allow 2023 to surprise you anymore. Work towards freeing yourself from this marriage to thieves that you have found yourself in since you became independent in 1960. Enjoy!
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
HAVEN’T I BEEN SAYING THIS IN THE PAST? – Igbo Delegates and the future of Zoning: No other group did more damage to the idea of zoning than the 80 out of 95 Igbo delegates to the last People’s Democratic Party (PDP) convention, who cast their votes against Igbo aspirants. The 80 delegates and their sponsors, in a tragic display of lack of group consciousness and primacy of personal interest, sent the country a clear and loud message: zoning is not an issue dear to Ndigbo. Igbo PDP delegates told Nigerians that a President from the Southeast is not a priority and not an issue of justice and fairness. The country heard them.
Two years ago, I approached Gov. Peter Obi, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, and Sen. Pius Anyim and spoke on the phone with Gov. Dave Umahi with a single message – run for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Gov. Peter Obi, at two meetings, told me he would not like to run against Atiku Abubakar and would consider a run if the party zoned the presidency to the Southeast. Sen Ekweremadu expressed his preference for the Governorship of Enugu State. Sen Anyim said he was watching the terrain, especially the zoning arrangement and would feed me back. Gov. Umahi was non-committal. I continued the engagement as I believed that these men had sufficient name recognition and networks that would aid a competitive run.
As time progressed, I started the campaign on zoning, calling on the country to respect a national agreement and convention. The campaign gathered steam as I traversed TV stations, online media, and radio stations, pushing the logic and rationale for zoning. I was a member of the PDP zoning committee for Party Offices and used the platform to argue strongly for zoning the Chairmanship to the North. We achieved it, but fell into a trap. We agreed to defer the decision on zoning elective offices.
After the zoning of the Chairmanship to the North, Sen Anyim contacted me and confirmed that he would run. I was happy, and we went to work. I provided advice, went with him to solicit the support of some key stakeholders, and joined him in submitting his form at the PDP. When I read online that Gov. Peter Obi had declared, I reached out to him and provided him with some data about his standing across the regions from an opinion poll. I kept reaching out to him. Mazi Sam Ohiabunwa visited with me, and we discussed at length. I encouraged Sen. Anyim to convene the meeting of Igbo Aspirants to create a platform that will ultimately help produce a consensus Igbo candidate.
Throughout the Primary campaigns, I did not visit or attend any campaign event of Alhaji Atiku, Dr Saraki, Gov. Tambuwal or Gov Bala save for when they came to speak to the Former Ministers Forum. On principle and at personal pain, I stayed away from people who had continually shown me friendship because I believe that our nation must be built on foundations of justice and equity.
Two nights before the Primaries, I joined an online meeting of select Igbo leaders. I passionately pleaded with them to endorse Sen. Anyim or Sam Ohuabunwa and make it public while reaching out to the Igbo PDP Governors and delegates to vote in one direction as a message to the country that Ndigbo are serious about zoning and fairness.
Vice President Atiku scored 371 votes which is three times more than the Northeast votes at 112 votes and more than 298 the combined votes of the Northeast and Northwest. Gov. Wike scored 237, which was almost twice the vote from the South-South. Saraki’s 70 votes indicate a strength beyond Kwara state, the same for Gov. Udom’s 38 votes.
Sen Anyim got 14 votes 13 clearly came from Ebonyi, and Sam Ohuabunwa got one vote. Fifteen votes from 95 delegates? The Igbo zone had no strategic interest in this election? No strategic objective? I feel bad. I feel humiliated not against Nigeria but against a group that could not come together in a rare moment of group consciousness to make a statement. Sad.
Nobody in the country thought the Igbo quest for Presidency was serious by the voting pattern at the convention. None of the Igbo candidates could win a vote from outside Igboland. Last year when I lamented about the absence of a show of strength by Igbo presidential aspirants at the PDP convention, many took offence. Many Ndigbo disagreed with me when I said that the three most influential politicians in Nigeria were Goodluck Jonathan, Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar. The evidence is playing out.
One can only become President of Nigeria through a national platform. President Buhari learnt that lesson and built a national coalition in 2015. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim all experienced it and tried to form a Progressive national alliance.
In 1979, the National Party of Nigeria, a national platform, delivered a largely unknown Alhaji Shehu Shagari as President. Similarly, in 1993, the Social Democratic Party, a national platform, delivered Chief MKO Abiola. Furthermore, in 1999, the People’s Democratic Party a national platform produced Chief Obasanjo despite lacking support from his region. The same portends for Dr Goodluck Jonathan, from the smallest state in Nigeria. No politician will be elected President in Nigeria without a national platform. PDP is in danger of its national platform suffering serious erosion with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwanso on the ballot. Who will profit from this erosion? I will deal with that soon.
From the ashes of this painful PDP outing, Ndigbo needs to rise and re-engage the country more positively. This effort must start with a focus on electing credible and vocal Igbo Governors in 2023. Anambra did well. The other four states must do likewise. The lack of leadership in Igboland is disturbing and could lead to grave and lasting consequences in our homeland.
To the country, I ask that this should not be a triumphalism moment. An emasculated Igbo political elite is a recipe for the continued growth of anti-nationalist and nativist politics amongst young Igbos, who view the political class as treacherous and devoid of redeeming features. The further spread of this brand of politics across the South is not in the interest of the Nigerian state. The country’s main political parties, APC and PDP should clearly state their zoning arrangement for subsequent elections and stick to it. Pushing the country back to ethnic parties or politics of winner-takes-all will lead to predictable outcomes that will not augur well for our march to nationhood.
Will Alhaji Atiku Abubakar keep his promise of a single term and consider rebuilding the PDP platform by aligning with Peter Obi and Kwankwaso? In 1999, Alliance for Democracy and All Peoples Party presented a President and Vice from the two parties. A loss of Igbo votes and a weak outing in the Kano/Jigawa axis will deal a major blow to the traditional PDP base. The reality is that the southeast will need the traditional PDP voting block to attain the Presidency. This is the time for brinkmanship, hard-nosed negotiations and political sagacity. Grandstanding will not help.
As for the APC, I pray they will find one of our Igbo sons worthy of their nomination. An action that will widen their base in the south. The country needs to confront its demons. The Igbo political class should stop sending mixed signals to the country, it is confusing.
Osita Chidoka
June 2022
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi has dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Obi announced his resignation in a letter dated 20, addressed to the National Chairman of the party.
In the letter sighted by Vanguard, Obi gave reasons for his withdrawal from the presidential race.
The letter said: “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA
“Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022. Consequently, am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.
“It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.
“Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.
“I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country.“
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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