THE November 18 governorship election conducted in Anambra State has added a feather to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the indigenous people of the state who conducted themselves in a civilised manner during the election. The election campaigns kick-started on positive trends with policies, issues-based campaigns rather than the personal attacks dominant in the larger society and ended fantastically with congratulatory speeches.
President Buhari opened the floor by congratulating the All ProgressivesGrand Alliance (APGA) candidate and incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, immediately after emerging the winner as announced by the returning officer, and then the APC candidate, Dr. Tony Nwonyefollowed suit. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, subsequently followed the footsteps of other counterparts to endorse the victory of the APGA candidate. The re-elected governor, Chief Obiano, also contributed immensely to the success of the election by allowing a level playing field with no record of bullying, molestations or harassment to opponents. Indeed, this is remarkable. Despite some political arithmetic that manifested in the defection of some notable APGA chieftains to other political parties, the governor having coped with the state fairly in the concluding first tenure, remained unperturbed, believing that equity would certainly come to his aid. And it did. The footnote is that the people of the state have grown beyond godfatherism to stand for visionary leadership and policy-driven politics.
In the acceptance speech, Obiano showed maturity byinviting all the defeated contenders with positive ideas for teamwork in moving the state forward irrespective of party affiliations. It may be ‘easily said than done’, but basically, he has extended a hand of fellowship as done in civilised societies. By the manner the election was delightfully concluded, it will not be surprising to see the state making tremendous progress from its present position. Already, the state government has development templates in place ensuring that every nook and cranny of the state gets a quota from the state government through one project or the other.
The renewed mandate entails that all the ongoing projects and tasks across the state are as good as concluded and commissioned, and new ones will likely kicking-off soon. It is a new dawn for Anambra state. It implies that there is growth sociopolitically, and no longer the usualyear-in, year-out, ‘Obi is a boy’. All the state funds that could have been earmarked for electoral disputes starting from the tribunal up to the apex court can now be used to add value to the state, shutting the doors against distractions. The landslide victory is not one that can be taken for granted. It is the verdict of the people; the high, the bourgeois and the common. The confidence the electorate reposed in the governor despite threats from the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to boycott the election or face the music shouldn’t be taken for granted.
With the clear-cut victory, it is time to reciprocate the good gesture from the people. The contract is clearly no longer with any godfather but with the people. The election having witnessed no gunshots, rigging or snatching of ballot boxes as recorded in the past, other activities under the control of the state government should also behandled with the highest degree of decorum and civility. By the victory, the people have spoken. Vox populi, vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).Anambra having produced countless prominent figures including the first President of Nigeria, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, former Senate President, late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, among others, irrefutably has all it takes to set the pace in the socioeconomic and sociopolitical arenas.
Umegboro, a public affairs analyst, writes in from Awka, Anambra State.