I think you write better than Profs. Are you one?
Are you a debate coach?
Are you a SAN?
Seriously, I would like to know you more personally if you don't mind.

What a smooth flowing seemingly unbiased analysis.
Respects!

StrongD:
Been posted elsewhere but still worth reading. Quite long: about 8-10min reading

I read the actual text of Soludo's recent piece. There were many problems with his piece but people are bashing him for the wrong reasons. They are misreading the main thrust of his write-up, one in which I—and, incidentally, Peter Obi— wholly agree with. Nevertheless, I'll first address issues with the piece, while showing where it is correct.

Despite claiming that he acknowledged the achievements of all his predecessors he did not try, in his write up, to present any sort of balance on Obi. Rather, he appeared to unearth all possible disagreements with his legacy that he could claim while failing to state any positives.

Particularly worrying would be his claim to certain statistics that directly run counter to what is known Obi achieved. For example, it is well documented that Obi improved the economic and educational metrics of the state such that, as even judged at the time by the economic teams of rival governors, he was voted the best. Thus, if things were really X bad with Obi, they were sort of X² bad with others.

He even presented his efforts (looking out also for corrections and advice to improve) in their then organised forum for accountability and better governance: the first to do so. No other governor agreed to present afterwards, thus, such laudable ongoing series was forced to die.

The metrics of education, power supply (eg, provided transformers widely among other efforts), health ( eg, water supply to primary health centres) and, overall, what was palpably experienced on the ground was clearly better at the end of his tenure than at Obiano's end. Even Obiano's signature projects —eg, the Awka flyovers he engraved with his name and the airport— were started by Obi and funded by Obi's savings: as expected, since Obi's tenure was during a more buoyant oil revenue period.

The insistence of saddling Obi with the moniker of someone who was only interested in hoarding funds is very untrue and beginning to seem a deliberate effort (particularly by an economist). Obi actually spent more on state needs from his revenue than his predecessors and successor. Had he stayed a 3rd term, the airport he had just relocated to northern Anambra would have been constructed by him and those flyovers in Awka (he had already redone Onitsha's roads and the notorious Upper Iweka: all much more than anything Obiano did road-wise). His uniqueness was in trying to conserve where expenditure (especially in cost of governance) was deemed not necessary, with an eye for investment in the future of the children of the state.

In doing so he made some mistakes. I agree with Soludo that a number of the roads Obi built for rural towns and villages were not as durable as those made by Ngige. He seems to have chosen road options that would bear light vehicles transporting farm produce from such places to towns for sale. The breakdown of the major federal roads made most heavy traffic divert to such new and good roads so they degraded faster than planned. Despite this, they lasted 7-10 years.

Someone once told me that the most important issue in building a structure is committing oneself to the maintenance one's initial choice for the structure would demand. Just as he first built those roads out of virtually no roads, he would have been very well capable of maintaining them as due. Unfortunately, the time for their maintenance started occuring largely in the middle of Obiano's time, who simply neglected them to completely fall apart. Despite it being possible that a better option could have been reached, the most important thing here is that Obi had a plan and executed it fairly, a plan that did not deprive his people of their resources in any way. Moreover, his humility helps him learn from substandard situations.

Similarly, I am befuddled by what metric is Soludo claiming the jump in poverty under Obi and a significant shrinking by Obiano's end? I am not an economist but it is only the opposite I experienced in my wide interactions within my state. This could be one of those situations where one users an unnatural metric to extrapolate: "Lies, damned lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of statistics to bolster weak arguments, "one of the best, and best-known" critiques of applied statistics (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics). A present-day one is that from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which says Nigeria's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at basic prices grew by 3.11 per cent in quarter one of 2022 on a year-on-year basis. Does this seems to indicate that we are 3.11% better than last year? Is this what is actually being felt on the ground? Why people are running out of the country faster now than ever before? Bear in mind that even the "almighty" NNPC has not been remitting anything to the states.

The problems with Soludo's piece are why many consider this saga to simply be yet another step the political elite are taking to crush the groundswell threatening to disturb their "business as usual". This is also the main reason Obi keeps travelling around to speak with them: to ensure they, at best, be neutral instead of working assiduously against him. He will need all hands on deck (one way or another) to help reverse the sinking ship that is Nigeria.

Let us not forget that the only reason Obi became governor is the personal conviction of Ojukwu in his person. Ojukwu, after interacting with him, declared him as the man to lead our people forward. I remember him begging Ndi Anambra that he was an old man soon to pass on but that they should do this for him, that one time, because they were really doing it for themselves and their children. Despite all that, it was Ngige's falling out with the PDP godfather, and refusing Abuja's directive to make up with him that enabled Obi to prevail at court. Obi was then impeached by the elite (but saved, again, by the courts) when they could not resurrect their business as usual.

Good arguments, some already given by Soludo, can be given for it being better for Obi to have stayed put in that one party: APGA. However, other good arguments can be made for the opposite, especially for someone hoping to do good at Aso Rock. Why should someone —a real businessman— persist in a venture that had no hope of success, simply because it is an Igbo party, a success that is not supposed to be for the Igbo people alone? In fact, for simply being APGA, most in other parts of the country would not have voted it. Labour is clearly tribe agnostic (for now). It also lacks the bad history of PDP. So, if APGA can only win in Anambra —a state that Soludo even agrees Obi in Labour is likely to win it's presidential votes— contesting on the APGA's platform will be a minus nationwide where it lacks Labour's clean slate. The only place APGA has formidable structure is Anambra. Moreover, Labour connects an aspirant with all public workers and Labour activists nationwide who, with the aggrieved youth, give one a much more credible 3rd way than APGA ever could. Obi then buttressed it all by explicitly telling people not to vote for him if it is simply because he is Igbo.

I also agree, in a large part, with Soludo's assessment of the quest for Igbo presidency and the lack of long-term strategy by Ndi Igbo. This is borne out of the understandable desire to have some from the SE rule in turn with others: very difficult due to not being enshrined by law and low overall voting clout. Unfortunately, we all now have a culture of turn-by-turn chopping or turn-by-turn development through one's town's man at the top. For example, this is how Enugu State now runs. However, as said earlier, saddling Obi with merely a realisation of Igbo rule —however laudable one's as may be— is myopic, stunting and not what he presently stands for. So all that assessment is irrelevant.

I agree with Soludo's knock on Obi's investment of state funds in a business of which he was a member of its board. It raises ethical questions. However, remember who we are talking about and you see its consistency with his erstwhile actions. He is a trader who deals with what he knows, even when trying to act selflessly. He returned to Missionary systems for previously missionary schools because he knew them to run well when they had them. He, seeing some surpluses in state funds, wanted to invest them in structures he had personally experienced and believed were on an upward trajectory, so much so that if the state ended up losing money, he too will lose money because his money was there too. In fact, their value only started to dip following the overall distress businesses were experiencing (more businesses failing) during Obiano's latter years. It first proves that there was more poverty during Obiano and, secondly that Obiano's economic team should have been monitoring the investments to know when to sell them and buy other upwardly mobile shares. Nothing stays permanent.

All the above not withstanding, many Obi supporters are acting like the present day Western "progressives" who do not allow others to have a point of view different from theirs without trying to bury them. That is wrong. Live and let live. Engage their points and, if you both remain with your initial convictions, simply agree to disagree. Even inconceivably worse are those who try to harm Soludo (or anyone else) who simply disagrees that Obi is the right option.

Now to be clear, this is not in any way the fault of Obi. It is a groundswell of frustrations of people seeing their future evaporate and, thus flailing and grasping out for a support. It is well known that one has to be very careful (and, better, trained!) before trying to rescue a drowning man. His desperation may sink you too. See the widespread protest in Iran. Their corruption is no where near ours but see the reactions. If there was even a modicum of opposition leader there, would it not have been false to saddle him with the responsibility of violent protests, simply because he is seen as an alternative to the rulers?

Obi himself has announced to his supporters the need for moderation and respect multiple times (as is well evident in his person). In fact, there is absolutely no evidence anyone can present that shows Obi egging anyone on. So, how can he, in good conscience, be saddled with the responsibility of the actions of drowning men, men being drowned by the effects of successive PDP and APC leaders?

In any case, please let us be civil. Thank you for the patience to read this very long piece.

dat9jaguy:



Unless I'm missing something here, is APGA not having a presidential candidate? Is this candidate not igbo.
I find the bolded statement very naive.

If you are smart as you think you are, you should know whoever the APGA Presidential candidate is, he/she doesn’t stand a chance against BAT/ATIKU/OBI.

Maybe you are not smart after all.

VULCAN:
You started off well but like most Nollywood productions, you couldn't maintain the plot.

If in your mind, Soludos vengeful attacks represents the stance of the voters in Anambra then you are far from intelligent.

Whether Wike chooses to support Peter Obi or not will not change the fact that Rivers State will give Obi at least 80% of our votes.

So your equating Soludos stance with the people of Anambra is a joke taken too far.

No wise person ignores history and every fool believes it's irrelevant.

That Soludo (who has made no impact in Anambra so far) is busying himself with Peter Obi comes as no surprise to me.

One of the first signs that a person is incompetent is their focusing on things that will not yield result in their primary task.

Soludo made a mark as CBN gov, a mark that centered on the banking system but not actually an economic mark. Although he is a Professor of Economics he did not prove his economic abilities directly but did something that a person with no knowledge of Economics could have also done.

He jacked up the banks capital base.

Making the banks bigger was more of an ego trip as it has not had a direct benefit on the economy as their billions of profit each year is enjoyed by their top mgt staff and their major shareholders.

Tellers still earn 100k


Peter Obi made his mark and left, Obiano made his mark and left.

We shall all see what mark Soludo will leave behind.

At the rate he is going he may be a single term governor as the only thing he has been involved in up to now is controversies.

Tell him to face his front. The workload is much

You don’t understand politics. If you do, you won’t underrate the power that is attached to Soludo’s position currently.

2elliot:
The Igbos haven't ruled for over 50yrs. Everyone can see that those whose opinions and ideas are not challenged have ruled the nation for over 50yrs without any meaningful thing to show for. In fact, they have made the country the poverty capital of the world, and also one of the most terrorised countries.

Which is why everyone can move freely in your region at anytime they want. You are being fed by your own poison as a result of your abilities to challenge ideas and opinions.

yuzjet:
If Nigeria will split, I still pity Biafra nation. So many internal sabotages that won't help them.

Who could have thought Soludo wouldn't support his own at this point?

Anyway, it's good to let obidients understand the real politics and why Obi may not even win his own Anambra?

Whatever the outcome, it'll be great to see.

So if they tell you Obi will not win Anambra you will actually believe it?

It's akin to saying that Atiku will not win Adamawa or Tinubu will not win Lagos.

yuzjet:


If you are smart as you think you are, you should know whoever the APGA Presidential candidate is, he/she doesn’t stand a chance against BAT/ATIKU/OBI.

Maybe you are not smart after all.

And you think Peter Obi has a chance against BAT or Atiku
Your supporting Peter Obi and claiming he is the best thing after slice bread shows how dull you are.
All these children that need influencers to think for them.

dat9jaguy:



And you think Peter Obi has a chance against BAT or Atiku
Your supporting Peter Obi and claiming he is the best thing after slice bread shows how dull you are.
All these children that need influencers to think for them.

Where’s this coming from? Was there anywhere I indicated I’m obidient? Lol.

I’m fully BATIFIED, I was only addressing the crisis that await Obi and his other idiots.

dochenaj:
So if they tell you Obi will not win Anambra you will actually believe it?

It's akin to saying that Atiku will not win Adamawa or Tinubu will not win Lagos.

You don’t get it, do you?

Tinubu and Atiku doesn’t have resistant governors in their respective state like the way Soludo is against Obi in Anambra.

yuzjet:


Which is why everyone can move freely in your region at anytime they want. You are being fed by your own poison as a result of your abilities to challenge ideas and opinions.

Lol, I am an Ijaw man from Bayelsa state. My state, despite being a major oil producer kicks development because the people do not challenge our leaders. But then, I have challenged the leaders and have had first hand experience how brutal the demonic men are when challenged with the truth. The east is facing challenges because they challenged their wicked leaders and their demonic counterparts from all over the country. Wicked and demonic people like you are behind the killings in the east because men like Nnamdi KANU challenged you.

yuzjet:
You don’t get it, do you?

Tinubu and Atiku doesn’t have resistant governors in their respective state like the way Soludo is against Obi in Anambra.

If governors arbitrarily determine the outcome of elections, Jonathan wouldn't have lost in 2015. You obviously don't get it.

yuzjet:


Where’s this coming from? Was there anywhere I indicated I’m obidient? Lol.

I’m fully BATIFIED, I was only addressing the crisis that await Obi and his other idiots.

What I meant by my first quote was in reaction to the guy I quoted who said he was surprised Soludo was attacking Obi instead of supporting the fraud.
I said APGA has a presidential candidate, who is also igbo, so naturally Soludo's support should be for the APGA guy.
I don't support any candidate but I know BAT will win.

dat9jaguy:




What I meant by my first quote was in reaction to the guy I quoted who said he was surprised Soludo was attacking Obi instead of supporting the fraud.
I said APGA has a presidential candidate, who is also igbo, so naturally Soludo's support should be for the APGA guy.
I don't support any candidate but I know BAT will win.

The bolded is the only thing that matters

dochenaj:


If governors arbitrarily determine the outcome of elections, Jonathan wouldn't have lost in 2015. You obviously don't get it.

We’re talking about governors, not president.

yuzjet:


You don’t understand politics. If you do, you won’t underrate the power that is attached to Soludo’s position currently.

Are accepting the obvious fact that these men, for simply being governors e.t.c, rig elections with the apparatus of the state under their control? If so, with good conscience, do you not see the wrong in their actions?

2elliot:
Are accepting the obvious fact that these men, for simply being governors e.t.c, rig elections with the apparatus of the state under their control? If so, with good conscience, do you not see the wrong in their actions?

The way our democracy is structured, rigging will always be part of elections. So nothing is wrong because you’d do same if you are contesting because the constitution and the structure of our democracy gives room for rigging.

So, candidate with the most rigging power gets to win.

2elliot:
Lol, I am an Ijaw man from Bayelsa state. My state, despite being a major oil producer kicks development because the people do not challenge our leaders. But then, I have challenged the leaders and have had first hand experience how brutal the demonic men are when challenged with the truth. The east is facing challenges because they challenged their wicked leaders and their demonic counterparts from all over the country. Wicked and demonic people like you are behind the killings in the east because men like Nnamdi KANU challenged you.

Lol! You know nothing boy. People like me understand the game. You are just there thinking and hoping the world should revolve around you based on your perspectives.

yuzjet:


The way our democracy is structured, rigging will always be part of elections. So nothing is wrong because you’d do same if you are contesting because the constitution and the structure of our democracy gives room for rigging.

So, candidate with the most rigging power gets to win.

You have said the obvious fact, and that's why the people are saying that enoigh is enough. Why don't you say same instead of being defeatist? Humans have been in worst scenarios, yet someone with balls called for change. Slavery was legal until people said no; people fought against colonialism and got independence. People fought against military rules. So, why should we continue to allow less than 1000 thousand elitist politicians across the country from every strata in a country of over 200million continue to abuse us?

yuzjet:


Lol! You know nothing boy. People like me understand the game. You are just there thinking and hoping the world should revolve around you based on your perspectives.

No, no. You are like the Soviet union that thinks she is indestructible. No system is indestructible, bro. That is the major rule of the game.

2elliot:
You have said the obvious fact, and that's why the people are saying that enoigh is enough. Why don't you say same instead of being defeatist? Humans have been in worst scenarios, yet someone with balls called for change. Slavery was legal until people said no; people fought against colonialism and got independence. People fought against military rules. So, why should we continue to allow less than 1000 thousand elitist politicians across the country from every strata in a country of over 200million continue to abuse us?

I agree with you. I was just being realistic. What I know is that these demonic men in power will meet their Waterloo soon. Just that we the common people must be active by joining politics. We can’t implement necessary changes if we don’t partake in politics. And to achieve what we want, it’s not about our tribes or our religions.

These are the main reason we’re like this.

2elliot:
No, no. You are like the Soviet union that thinks she is indestructible. No system is indestructible, bro. That is the major rule of the game.

You clearly doesn’t understand the game. I’m saying that again.

It maybe long, Nigerians will get what we want. We’re just in a phase. This government as bad as their administration is makes me believe our common goal which is to split regionally will be be achieved sooner, rather than later.

All their actions are heading us closer. This is how miraculous God is working on our favour.

So, let’s keep playing the game.

yuzjet:


I agree with you. I was just being realistic. What I know is that these demonic men in power will meet their Waterloo soon. Just that we the common people must be active by joining politics. We can’t implement necessary changes if we don’t partake in politics. And to achieve what we want, it’s not about our tribes or our religions.

These are the main reason we’re like this.

My believe is that, there is always a peak and a limit for almost everything. The policians today feel that they are some demigods, but they forget that even mighty empires fall eventually. They don't even learn from our own histories when the military seizes power and makes even they the politicians' lives unbearable. There is going to be an end to our sufferings as a people even if it may not be now. There is a limit to what the people can bear eventually.

yuzjet:


You clearly doesn’t understand the game. I’m saying that again.

It maybe long, Nigerians will get what we want. We’re just in a phase. This government as bad as their administration is makes me believe our common goal which is to split regionally will be be achieved sooner, rather than later.

All their actions are heading us closer. This is how miraculous God is working on our favour.

So, let’s keep playing the game.

I agree with you.

2elliot:
My believe is that, there is always a peak and a limit for almost everything. The policians today feel that they are some demigods, but they forget that even mighty empires fall eventually. They don't even learn from our own histories when the military seizes power and makes even they the politicians' lives unbearable. There is going to be an end to our sufferings as a people even if it may not be now. There is a limit to what the people can bear eventually.

This world is not fair, so it’s no big deal that some people will exceed their limit and they die in the process. That’s just life in full form.

Eastlandx:

Had to check the name of the poster before I could read it.
The moment I saw Naptu(Tonyebarcanista) I didn't even bother

Naptu is now TonyeBarcanista? haaaaa

Seems every other person that aren't subscribed
to Obidient lamba is Tonye

TonyeBarcanista:

Naptu is now TonyeBarcanista? haaaaa

Seems every other person that aren't subscribed
to Obidient lamba is Tonye

It's been a long time TonyeBarcanista, welcome back. I remember those pre-Buhari era, you were posting update about events.
I don hear Wike side of the story, true true wetin Abiye sekibo do no good.