Inherent Dangers of Political Godfatherism!

By Ijeoma Diamond.

Who is a Political godfather? A political godfather is someone who assumes the position of a king maker -(he decides who becomes what in government/State or who gets what, how and when). He does this by becoming a major financier of a political party activities / events with the monies stolen from our Commonwealth due to the porosity of the system, aided by so many inadequacies, incompetence and deficiencies. These huge financial supports to his political party gives him edge to be privileged above other party members. Up to the point of pushing in candidates of his choice to run for a particular positions, without much ado, (he who pays the piper remember. ...). He pays for all the required fees and forms. Provides adequate logistics such as Campaign vehicles/materials, Gadgets etc. All gearing towards one point...instilling his 'puppet' in power by hook or crook, so he can rule indirectly.

Anambrarians, and anyone that knows Anambra State back from 1999 - 2005 would understand perfectly where this article is headed. It's no news that whenever godfatherism is mentioned in Anambra politics, certain names readily comes to mind.
Anambra State witnessed a total blank out from governance and development during the period under focus. There was government without governance. There was a State totally cut off from the entire globe in terms of the Millennium Development Agendas/Goals/Initiatives (MDAs). The State power was hijacked from the original power owners (the masses) by a few political hawks, aka 'godfathers'. Which kept Anambrarians in motion without movement.

We all saw and witnessed how retrogressive and backward our dear State was, especially under Dr. Chinweoke Mbadinuju- a stooge that abided by one man's (Chief Emeka Offor) orders.
More so, during the earliest administration of Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige's as the Executive Governor too. We all saw and witnessed the atrocious acts by the then self acclaimed political godfather -Chris Ubah (Andy Uba's brother). Who abducted a sitting Governor, whisked him to a hotel room, assaulted him both physically and verbally. Tugs working for Chris Uba burnt the whole Government House, caused severe mayhem in our beloved State while Security personnel were watching hand akimbo.
The resultant effects of that on our dear State are still fresh in our memories.

Fast Forwarded to how the present Governor came into power. News that filtered recently from Obiano's campaign organization, had it that his immediate predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi had been on him for the refund of all expenses accrued during the campaign and election that brought him Obiano into power. Which he vehemently refused to empty the State treasury to Obi thereby causing a severe face off between them. (I truly do not know how much true this claims are) But if there's an iato of truth here, another question begging for answer would now be, what then did Obiano do with Anambra State fund? Since he neither settled his godfather nor developed the State better than he inherited.

Unfortunately, with the gubernatorial election by the corner, the hawks are once more gathering. Few days ago, an agreement between a governorship aspirant and a notorious politician from Anambra went viral online. I kept on thinking after going through the conditions on the said agreement which a part read thus (a) Will give the Sponsor the power/privilege to appoint Ten (10) Commissioners in the Ministries of his choice in his cabinet. (b) Will give to the Sponsor a monthly 30% of the total Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State. Hmmmm!

Ndi Anambra! My heart bleeds.
Are we going to allow this again? For how long more are we going to keep silent and allow ourselves to be played like chess on the boards of these heartless goons? Are we going to let them take us back to the days of Mbadinuju again? Are we not tired of retrogression?

Honestly, we need to confront this hydra headed monster called godfatherism, head on collision and take back our dear State from these cult of mediocres. The only way to do this is by rejecting their stooges at the polls. The Real Power belongs to the people. Democracy is all about numbers and we the masses have the numbers.
Your Vote is your Voice!
Your Voice is your Right!
Your Right to a good and guaranteed governance.
Guard your Vote like you would guard your life cos any mistake puts us all in the danger of negligence by the stooges to be in power.

So, i passionately call on the good people of Anambra to rise up to this responsibility of chasing out these hawks away from our State's affair by casting our votes for an independent candidate, with good track records and outstanding precedent.
Personally, Chief Osita Chidoka is the right man for the job. He is people oriented and performance driven, with a heart for service.
Remember! The only grassroots party is UPP. VOTE WISELY!
VOTE UPP!!
VOTE OSITA CHIDOKA!!!

Maka odi nma Ndi Anambra.
#SayNoToGodfatherism
#Ositadinma2017 #JourneyOfTheTiger #GrassrootsMovement #OsitaChidokaIsUPP #TheManForTheJob #OsitaChidokaForGovernor #DriveAnambraForward #VoteUPP