₦airaland Forum

As preparations for the Anambra 2010 governorship election gathers momentum, the race has become that of survival of the fittest. Among the aspirants, the situation is that of, “if you cannot stand the heat, leave the kitchen”. One of the major contenders in the election is Dr Andy Uba, the former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to the immediate past president, Olusegun Obasanjo. In this interview with newsmen recently, he speaks on his ambition and passion to lead the people of his state. Excerpts….

You seem to be a very dogged fighter. Why have you decided to leave the gold fish bowl of Abuja politics for Awka?
I am very passionate about my state and it hurts seeing a very important state like ours continually failing to actualize its potential. I also am very much misunderstood by those that do not know me and very much blackmailed by those that feel threatened by me politically. I accept all these as part of cost of being in politics but it is not about me but about moving our state in the right direction and at the right developmental speed.

What is your political plan for 2010 election Sir?
As you may be aware, I have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the 2010 governorship election in the state on the platform of Labour Party. I hope to, by the grace of God and the votes of the good people of Anambra State, emerge as the next governor of the state.

Have you finally abandoned the PDP, your former party?
Politics is a game of possibilities. Our march to move Anambra State and Nigeria forward is unstoppable and is beyond party boundaries.

Why are you seeing the governorship of Anambra State as a do or die affair?
There is no such thing. I have great love and passion for my home state. Having functioned at the Presidency for eight years, I believe I have enough experience and contacts all over the country and beyond to assist in lifting our state. As you are aware, I have pursued my case through all legal and constitutional means. Now that the Court of Appeal has given its verdict, I have accepted the court’s decision in good faith and intend again to go through the ballot box in my bid to serve our people as governor. It is therefore not a do or die affair for me but to seek all legal and legitimate means to offer my service to our people. I am going to Government House, Awka to deploy all the resources of the state both human and material in the development of the state.

What Impact will you make in the state if your election bid succeeds?
I will complete all existing projects as I do not believe in abandoning government projects because it was initiated by someone else. I will work with a First Class Team to uphold the state as an A list state that it is. I will build sustainable and quality roads. My road development project will not be based on doing more kilometers than any previous governor, but will be based on quality delivery. As a team player, I will have consultations with stakeholders as I do not believe that I know it all and have all the solutions to the problems of the state. Our state, being a trading state needs an Airport and a Dry Port for easy transportation to and from their trading partners nationally and internationally in berthing of goods. I should be able to develop an airport in the state within 24 months of my assumption of office and a Dry Port within my first term in office. These projects should be self sustaining over a reasonable period of time. On Security, I will be proactive and not reactive. I am so sad that many of our people are staying back at their various stations this Christmas instead of coming home as usual for fear of being kidnapped or robbed. For how long shall we run away from home? My heart bleeds when I observe the giant strides other states are making and we are left behind. Lagos state for instance, through the proactive actions of the state government reduced the crime rate in the state by more than 80 per cent.
It has taken delivery of two helicopters to assist in fighting crime. Why should we not have at least one helicopter for this purpose, to track down criminals during their operations and locate them in their hideouts? The various vigilante groups and the entire communities in the state will be more actively involved in neighbourhood securities. I will apply the security vote of the state for the purpose it is meant and will not divert same for any reason what so ever.

You and your brother Chris Uba seem to be working at cross purposes, why?
We are not working at cross purposes. Chris is my younger brother who has his own perspective of politics. He believes his ideas will serve our people well. My vision and passion for our state is however very unique and will lead us to finally moving in the right direction.

You were very close to former President Obasanjo during his eight years tenure in office. What did you use your position to achieve for Anambra State?
I was not supposed to use my position for only Anambra State. I did what I could for the entire South East and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. However, I recommended many First Class Nigerians from Anambra State for top federal appointments and they all excelled in their various positions and besides, I do not go to the media to blow my political trumpet. Given the delicate power play at the Presidency, I did influence the progress of my state and my people in a subtle manner. This I did to the best of my ability and appointees contributed to the progress of the state in particular and the nation generally.

What role do you think religion will play in the election campaign?
I do not believe in religious politics. We are all Christians and worship the same God. I happily observe that Dr. Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC) thinks likewise, hence he selected another Catholic as his running mate thereby making his ticket a Catholic/Catholic one. What matters now is that my entrance into the gubernatorial race has offered our people a wider choice and an improved pool from which to pick the next governor. I am optimistic that my efforts will be rewarded by the Almighty and the voters in our state.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2009/dec/20/powergame-20-12-2009-001.htm

Sunny_bobo:
You seem to be a very dogged fighter. Why have you decided to leave the gold fish bowl of Abuja politics for Awka?

I am very passionate about my state and it hurts seeing a very important state like ours continually failing to actualize its potential. I also am very much misunderstood by those that do not know me and very much blackmailed by those that feel threatened by me politically. I accept all these as part of cost of being in politics but it is not about me but about moving our state in the right direction and at the right developmental speed.

Could it be possible that this man means well for the state but is largely misunderstood?

On personnal level, most people who had dealt or came across Andy Uba would tell you that the dude is a cool and nice guy. Like it or not, most of these people opposing him now benefitted from his immense generosity and connections at Abuja.
The only problem people had with him was how he left his illiterate younger brother to be soiling their family name and that of the state.

However, I recommended many First Class Nigerians from Anambra State for top federal appointments and they all excelled in their various positions and besides, I do not go to the media to blow my political trumpet.

Including Prof. Iwu of INEC who has excelled in his position.lol

On personnal level, most people who had dealt or came across Andy Uba would tell you that the dude is a cool and nice guy. Like it or not, most of these people opposing him now benefitted from his immense generosity and connections at Abuja

Arthur Nzeribe is also cool and nice. It depends on how we look at being nice and cool in the context of Naija's political environment.

i think too much importance is given to these band of crooks.
Pay them little attention and give them little prominence while monitoring them closely.
Those calling his brother an illiterate should take a closer look at Andy's fake CV.
how did he make the money he is throwing around at present?
the same question i asked about Soludo?
all these unprincipled crooks are simply shameful.
today you are in PDP 2moRO LP.
is there no honour amongst thieves?

I dont trust anything Andy Uba stands for.

Even the most abbrasive mafia bosses are cool on a personal level to those who know them. Its about your intention for your people thats what we care about. The reason Chris Uba kidnapped a sitting Governor, Burnt down a Government property, looted State Treasury by monthly standing order, criminalised Anambra Youths and yet nobody could do anything about it at the time was because he had Andy Uba at the seat of power.

If Andy Uba had any respect (am not talking about love yet, just respect) for the people of Anambra he would have called his brother to order. He did not consider it necessary to do so until he began to nurse a guber ambition. When his own brother stood in his way he got OBJ to invite Chris to Aso Rock when Chris appeared he was locked up in Aso Villa untill 2007 elections was over.

The hopes and aspiration of the over 10million Anambrarians will not be offered to a laboratory test 'to see if Andy Uba is a good man or not'.
If Andy Uba's intentions are noble he will pursue them in a noble way. He has colluded with Muarice Iwu to rig Anambra Elections, He sponsored court cases to prevent other strong contenders from particpating in 2007 and doing the same now, He went from lower court to appeal court, to supreme court to high court and back to appeal court all to be declared Governor-in-waiting. A term that is very strange to our constitution, especially when it means you will be Governor-in-waiting for over 2years.


A man with such disdain for laid down rules can not be searching for power with noble intentions.

Andy Uba is the first candidate to have decleared an asset of 1 trillion before attaining office. Andy Uba does not have 1 trillion, it is just the projections of by how much he thinks he will become richer by after running Anambra State.

Well the right to vote and be voted for is his constitutional right so long as he has not been declared a convicted criminal. However he should submit himself for popularity test on a level playing field and allow Anambra people to judge him rather than using extra-electoral means to achieve his guber ambition. The people's will must prevail in Anambra 2010.