₦airaland Forum

ENUGU—THE Nigerian Bar Association Election Working Group, NBA-EWG, has issued its preliminary report on the just concluded Anambra State governorship election, saying that most of the voters were induced with money to vote for the candidates. The “Preliminary Report of the NBA-EWG,” was jointly signed by its chairman, Festus Onuma Okoye and the Secretary, Lema Sambo Wali and made available to Vanguardyesterday. The NBA-EWG lamented that the vote buying occurred within polling or voting centres as well as the brazen manner in which political parties flaunted money on the voters.

“Money played a significant role in the choice of voters during the election. Some of the political actors distributed money to the voters at the precinct of the polling units.

NBA-EWG observed the inducement of voters at the precincts of the polling units and the brazen manner some political entrepreneurs carried out the exercise,” the report said and advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue an advisory to the Nigerian Police, “directing them to arrest anybody that induced voters at the precincts of the polling units without waiting for directives from the Presiding Officers.” The NBA-EWG further noted that the use of card reader to authenticate the true personality of eligible voters had not improved due to the problems which had not been rectified since noticed during the

The recent economic downturns in both Nigeria and South Africa have challenged the “Africa Rising” narrative. Though the two countries have officially escaped their technical recessions, challenges loom in the days ahead. The slump has opened plenty of discussion for how the two countries can rebuild investor confidence and adapt for future challenges.
For Nigeria specifically, the road ahead depends on their willingness to embrace emerging trends in the oil and energy sector. Recently adopted legislation by the Nigerian government intends to make changes to the country’s energy industry Nigeria’s largest sector.
The new legislation, named the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, or PIGB, is the result of years of proposed changes to the industry. The PIGB legislation was controversial in the energy sector, but some oil executives showed interest in the proposal.
One such executive, Benedict Peters, CEO of the Nigerian based Aiteo Group, was a vocal proponent of the PIGB legislation. He believes the success of Nigeria in the coming years depends on their capacity for being flexible with both oil and alternative localized energy solutions. This surprising position may not be the typical response of an oil executive, but Benedict Peters is not your typical oil executive.
Peters’ Unconventional Approach
Benedict Peters has become a powerful figure in Nigerian oil, and his Aiteo Group is quickly gaining a reputation as a leader in the field. Born in 1966 in Nigeria, Benedict attended the University of Benin. After completing his degree in Geography and Regional Planning, Peters began his career right away in the energy sector, co-founding the petroleum company Ocean and Oil. Later, he took a job as a managing partner for the MRS oil firm.
The lessons he learned over those years helped lead Benedict gain valuable experience in the industry. In 1999 he founded the Aiteo Group, where he still works as CEO. His successes with Aiteo Group have positioned him among Nigeria’s billionaires. His estimated net worth is currently $2.7bn, and will surely rise in the coming years.
Benedict’s leadership and pragmatism has brought his company plenty of success over the years. In their most recent feat, Aiteo locked down the licensing to purchase one of Nigeria’s largest onshore oil blocks, named OML 29. The acquisition of this block has made Aiteo a serious competitor and force to be reckoned with. Though viewed as a questionable investment when originally acquired, the company’s purchase has proved to be a success in the long term.
The OML 29 block alone has raised Aiteo’s oil output up from 23,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) just a few years ago to their current standing of 90,000 bpd. This is a huge increase for the company, and according to Peters, they are just getting started.
The company is also pushing their brand to the public. Recently, Aiteo locked down a sponsorship deal with the Nigerian Football Federation, where they have been given rights as the primary sponsors for the Nigerian Federation Cup. This means Aiteo will be seen by all fans in football-crazed Nigeria during the Nigerian Federation Cup matches, potentially becoming a household name in the country.
Nigeria Looking Forward
Peters’ pragmatism and out of the box approach is what made him a vocal supporter of the PIGB legislation. Peters believes that in the long term, Nigeria should encourage an approach for their energy sector which strongly supports regional and localized solutions for energy. This includes macro solutions, such as their current use of giant oil refineries, but also a complete adoption of micro solutions. These micro solutions would take advantage of alternative forms of energy, which will be more beneficial for remote African villages and towns which may not be able to easily connect to the energy grid.
Further, Peters says that the overall lack of energy infrastructure in many African countries today is beneficial in the long run. By avoiding the maintenance and repair costs of soon to be obsolete technologies, Peters argues that African countries can instead simply focus forward and implement developing technologies and alternative forms of energy.
According to Peters, the PIGB legislation will enable regional players to emerge, providing their own local solutions to their communities’ energy problems. Since Nigeria is finally on its way out of their recession, adapting to PIGB will be beneficial for the economy looking forward, Peters argues. He believes that the legislation will bring back investor confidence, and enable these alternative players to get their foot in the door. It is this kind of pragmatism and flexibility that is bringing Benedict Peters and his Aiteo Group up to the top of Nigeria’s oil sector

The Executive Vice-Chairman, Aiteo Group, Mr. Benedict Peters, says he has engaged two foreign law firms to defend him against the malicious, unfounded and false allegations hanging over his head.
 Aiteo Group, an indigenous oil firm, had reportedly released a statement in September denying that Peters bought a property in England and luxury furnishings for a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in return for contracts in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
 A fresh statement on Sunday, which was made available to our correspondent, quoted Peters as lamenting that some unfounded allegations had been injuring the reputation of his company, thus, the need for him to hire two foreign law firms to clear his name.

 He said the foreign law firms – Mishcon de Reya, the United Kingdom; and Covington & Burling, Washington DC, United States of America –  would “offer both counsel and guidance in dealing with these issues.” The statement said the foreign law firms would lead efforts to address the “politically-motivated issues” that Peters had been grappling with for about two years.
 Peters was quoted as saying that, “These unfounded allegations have caused untold disruption to my family and my business. To ensure that we remain focused, I have engaged two of the world’s leading law firms to offer both counsel and guidance in dealing with these issues.
 “There is a toxic culture of politically-motivated witch-hunts that stain reputations, stifles enterprise and keeps foreign investors away from our country. For two years, I have suffered malicious, unfounded and false allegations hanging over my head.
“This persecution is being pursued to diminish the visible endeavours to position our business, and Nigeria, at the apex of the energy industry worldwide. Despite these distractions, I remain focused on the efforts to sustain Aiteo’s growth towards becoming Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil producer. It is time to address the situation and so I have decided that I must take direct legal and other actions to clear my name.”

LONDON, Oct. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benedict Peters, Executive Vice Chairman of Aiteo Group (www.AiteoGroup.com), has instructed London law firm Mishcon de Reya and Washington’s Covington & Burling to lead ongoing efforts to address politically-motivated issues.

Aiteo Group, founded in 1999, is a leading indigenous Nigerian oil producer headquartered in Lagos.

UK-based Mishcon de Reya is one of the world’s leading legal practices with a particular proficiency in handling contentious international disputes. Covington, headquartered in Washington, DC. United States, has an outstanding reputation in navigating complex legal issues at the intersection of law and policy around the world.

Explaining the appointments, Benedict Peters said: “I maintain my position that all the allegations are baseless and without any truth whatsoever. These unfounded allegations have caused untold disruption to my family and my business. To ensure that we remain focused, I have engaged two of the world’s leading law firms to offer both counsel and guidance in dealing with these issues.”

“There is a toxic culture of politically motivated witch-hunts that stains reputations, stifles enterprise and keeps foreign investors away from our country. For two years, I have suffered malicious, unfounded and false allegations hanging over my head.”

“This persecution is being pursued to diminish the visible endeavours to position our business, and Nigeria, at the apex of the energy industry worldwide. Despite these distractions, I remain focused on the efforts to sustain Aiteo’s growth towards becoming Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil producer. It is time to address the situation and so I have decided that I must take direct legal and other action to clear my name.”

And Peters has now decided to publicly bring every inch of this matter to the fore.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aiteo Group.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Clifford Ndujihe, Vincent Ujumadu, Chimaobi Nwaiwu and Enyim Enyim.
…Nwoye congratulates Obiano, says he leaves everything to God
…I lost to superior financial fire power — Chidoka
…PDP candidate, Obaze rejects results
…Nollywood Actor, Edochie gets 143 votes

AWKA—Governor Willie Obiano, yesterday, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for guaranteeing a level playing ground that allowed him to emerge winner of the Anambra State governorship election. Reacting to his declaration as governor, Obiano also stretched out a hand of fellowship to fellow participants, even as he affirmed that the victory belonged to Ndi Anambra, who he said beat the odds to partake in an election that was largely characterised by minimal violence.
His assertions nonetheless, as the results were declared, yesterday, according to local government basis, many instances of election manipulation were cited by the local government returning officers leading to the cancellation of results in several units. The most conspicuous cases were those of over-voting, the complicity of election officers among others. Obiano, who topped the poll in all 21 local government areas, polled a total of 234, 072 votes to beat his closest rival, Dr. Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 98, 752 votes. Mr. Oseloka Obaze of the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  polled 70, 293 votes to come third,  while Osita  Chidoka of the United Progressives Party, UPP, polled 7, 903 votes to come fourth. Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, who contested on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Congress, came out with 143 votes.
The returning officer, Professor Zana Akpadu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, said Obiano met all the requirements to be declared winner.
Former aviation minister and Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka came fourth while the newspaper publisher and businessman, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo came fifth with the other 32 political parties trailing far behind.
Nwoye congratulates Obiano
Reactions to the conduct of the election were, yesterday, generally calm and supportive. Dr. Nwoye, the APC candidate while congratulating Obiano, nevertheless pointed out that his supporters and agents were maimed and harassed by APGA supporters but said he left everything in the hands of God.
Dr. Nwoye said he would not go to court but that his party had the option of going to court based on the evidence before it even as he said he and his supporters would support a second term for President Buhari.


Accepting the mandate of the constituents for a second term, Obiano said yesterday: “Umu nnem, the victory we savour today belongs neither to Willie Obiano nor to our great party, APGA. No! This sweet victory belongs to Ndi Anambra!
“It belongs to the wheel barrow pushers and the Okada riders who have clearly seen in our recent political experience, a glimmer of light in the horizon. It belongs to the farmers in Ayamelum, Onono, Ogbaru, Omasi, Omor, and Ufuma who have now realized that Agriculture is the future of Nigeria.
“It belongs to the teachers and civil servants who have seen that a motivated workforce is the greatest asset of any government and have rewarded our faith in them with an overwhelming verdict at the polls.
“So, I reach out a hand of brotherhood to my fellow contestants…Oseloka, Tony, Osita, Godwin, and others whose names I cannot easily recall here. And I say to you; my brothers, we have all fought a good fight. But Anambra State is the WINNER! The interest of Anambra State is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone of us. Therefore, I pray you to join hands with me and build a better place for Ndi Anambra! Our beloved state needs our talent and our time. The time to build a better place is NOW!
Kudos for Buhari
“My first and deepest gratitude goes to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for proving to Ndi Anambra that under his watch, democracy will sink deeper roots in the Nigerian soil. Mr. President promised us a free and fair election. Today, we can all see that he has kept his promise. Thank you so much, Mr. President!”
Among the earliest to congratulate Obiano yesterday was the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who congratulated the governor and the people on a peaceful poll.
Ekweremadu
Reacting to the conduct and outcome of the election, Ekweremadu said: “I congratulate Governor Willy Obiano on his victory. It is a vote of confidence by the people of Anambra in his leadership style and capacity to deliver more dividends of democracy in the next four years.
“But, above all, I believe that the process matters more than the outcome. I commend the good people of Anambra State, INEC, security agencies, media, civil society organisations, election monitors, among numerous others for making the election peaceful.”
Ekweremadu called on Governor Obiano to reach out to his political opponents and also recruit the best hands to move Anambra State forward, irrespective of their political leanings.
Obiano manipulated the process — Osita
Mr. Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of APC and director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, VON on his part said Obiano’s victory was a result of President Buhari’s neutrality.
“Governor Willie Obiano benefited handsomely from President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to free, fair and transparent election. This is a case of democracy convert, who behaved better than old democrats. Otherwise, he couldn’t have allowed Obiano to manipulate INEC and security agencies against his party’s candidate.
“But reports reaching us say the election was free and fair.  Yes, free and fair, but one does not know how Obiano will cope with governance, as per finance, when he over bided other candidates? In our local parlance, he used all the firewood. It was more or less a cash and carry election.
“Can you imagine that the chairman of our great party, Emeka Ibe was arrested by security agents on the eve of the election. In the days of yore, a federal ruling party chairman will be parading the town with soldiers and policemen. A lot of our canvassers and sundry officials were harassed and hounded. It was the theatre of absurd.
“The Obiano camp was smart enough that it was almost the same set of University of Calabar lecturers who delivered him in 2013 that returned as Collation Officers, and Returning Officer. What a sharp coincidence of posting. The election is less than free and fair. He just benefited from Mr. President’s commitment.”
I lost to superior financial fire power — Chidoka
UPP candidate, Chidoka, who marshalled a loud campaign that emphasised Ibo identity, blamed his loss on money politics, saying he deliberately refused to trade money for votes as was done by some of the other candidates.
“On November 18, our people announced strongly their rejection of politicians. They traded their votes because they doubted we would truly represent their interest. While our message resonated with the people, they doubted that the political class cared about them. They voted for the highest bidder.
“When, by Thursday, a large percentage of our supporters insisted that they will not vote unless we paid, I insisted we will not pay for votes. The decision not to pay ended our good run. We accept the voters’ decision. We also heard our people, by their turnout and transactional approach, as they took sides with our Party’s considered view that the issue of justice, equity and fairness should be canvassed within Nigeria.
“In all, we hold our heads high; high because we did not lose the poll due to paucity of ideas or lack of “structure.” We lost to superior financial fire power. As Democrats, we concede to the voters’ choices. The true hallmark of democracy is the respect for the voice of the ballot as that of the majority.
“But the inner truth is that we won! We won at the most important place; in the hearts of people; our people who saw us toil and push in the arena against all odds; who saw the sincerity of our mission and gave all in support of our quest for collective good. We salute you for your support and personal sacrifices to the campaign.”
Why Peter Obi’s candidate lost — Ikokwu
Reacting to Governor Willie Obiano’s re-election, yesterday, the Second Republic politician and lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu, attributed it to Obiano’s performance and the need to ensure political stability and balance in the state.
He said former Governor Peter Obi is a good man, who served the state well but his candidate, Oseloka Obaze was rejected at the polls because “Obi made the tactical mistake of being a godfather, who thought he can always impose people on the state, not on the basis of ideology or consultation with the people.”
His words: Governor Obiano deservers re-election because has done much more than many governors who are in their second terms across the country on two critical issues – security, and welfare of workers in terms of payment of their wages. Most state governments have not been able to pay the very meagre salaries of their workers. There are states that generate more revenue than Anambra State but yet are still owing salaries and pensions. At the Federal level, pensions of people who worked for 35 years are still being owed. Pensioners are being paid in Anambra. Workers are regularly paid.
“If Obiano had not been re-elected it means any other governor that comes even from Anambra North will still want eight years, two terms and his first term will be a learning process. That is the critical observance of most Anambra people. The result has nothing to do with party politics or agitation for Biafra.”
Obaze rejects results. Obaze in a reaction said that the results did not reflect the will of the people.
He said: “The over voting and inconsistencies between the counted ballots and card reader data remains exceedingly worrisome.
“The uniformity of the incumbent governor wining 21 local governments is a political aberration in the context of Anambra politics.
“The election results as reported, shows that nothing matters to the Anambra electorate.   The people have spoken. They have taken a cursory long term view of what they wish for Anambra State.”
Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, who took second in the PDP governorship primaries, however, welcomed the election even as he lamented the import of the election on PDP faithful in the state.
“To my PDP family members, I understand your emotions at this moment and more so, that mine has been one of frustration and anger at oneself. We had been promised a reformed PDP, and assured severally that impunity was a thing of the past. I urge that we accept the will of the people,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Youths Renaissance has reacted to the victo ry of Governor Wille Obiano in the Anambra election.
The group said the ” abysmal performance ” of the party was shameful, despite the assurances by leaders and members in the Southeast region. It also urged President Buhari to “raise new leaders from the zone who will handle his re-election project in the Southeast region come 2019. ”
A statement Sunday night by Collins Edwin, the group’s National Secretary, said before the election, all necessary logistics were given to Southeast leaders to deliver victory to the APC.
“But it looked as if such logistics were diverted as it did not get to the intended people in the region”, it read.
“How on earth can anyone explain the rational behind the 21/21 victory of APGA in all the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State? ” Even Tony Nwoye, Chris Ngige, Uche Ekwunife, Andy Ubah and the rest could not deliver their local governments to APC!
” However, the election has exposed the insincerity of the so-called leaders of the party in the region.
” Instead of executing an all inclusive campaigns involving all members of the party, some ‘election-cabals’ wanting to impress Buhari and get special favour from the Presidency adopted ‘divide and rule strategy.’
” T hey shared party resources among themselves without carrying critical segments of the party along. ” I n particular, Comrade Tony Nwoye was carrying himself as Governor-elect without listening to wise advice and suggestions.
” As a result, their greeds and lack of coordination have cost APC the much needed victory in Anambra State.
” Therefore, we urge President Buhari to disregard all their lies and excuses as likely reasons why APC under-performed in the rac, ” the group said.

Remarks by Oseloka H Obaze, pdp governorship candidate congratulating Gov Willie Obiano.

A CRY UNTO GOD FOR ANAMBRA STATE. Heavenly father, I most humbly bring our dear State Anambra before You. Controller of all spirits, I humbly beseech Thee to take over the Governorship election of Saturday, 18th November 2017. Frustrate Oh! God, the devices of the wicked in their bid to jump into power and subject "Ndi Anambra" to penury. You are God, all by Yourself and the one that makes diviners mad. Bring to nothing, the devices of the crafty and show that You are above and above all. May the peace and security of lives and property of our people never in any way be frustrated. I make this plea Lord and believe that You have heard it in Jesus mighty name, Amen. (Please share if you love Anambra State)

Anambra State governorship election holds on Saturday, November 18, and the past few weeks have been electrified by the campaign of the contestants. The contenders include Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Tony Nwoye, All Progressives Congress (APC); Oseloka Obaze, People’s Democratic Party (PDP). They also include Godwin Ezeemo, Progressives Peoples’ Alliance (PPA); Osita Chidoka, United Peoples Party (UPP); Oby Okafor, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and Henry Onuorah, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).
But the field is dominated by Obiano, Nwoye and Obaze because of the forces behind their candidacy or circumstances of their run.Former Governor Peter Obi’s name is closely linked to Obaze and many wonder if Obi is seeking a third term through the back door. But it appears Obiano represents the conscience of the people of Anambra, not just by virtue of his party, APGA, which has done so much for the state in the past 12 years, but by his achievements in office for three years and eight months.
He enjoys the support of town union associations, market men and women groups, autonomous communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of thought across political divides. But he cannot take the race for granted.
The charged political climate in the state hinges on the battle of the political godfathers and their surrogates to get rid of Obiano from office and reactions to The Enablers in the blueprint he unveiled in the early days of his administration.
The Enablers include Trade and Commerce, Agricultural Revolution, Security of Lives and Property, Improved Healthcare Delivery, Quality Education and Oil and Gas.
The document was crafted as the easiest way to impact public and private sector workers as well as traders and artisans.
Anambra is generally regarded as safe. The Obiano administration understands the symbiosis between security of lives and property and has invested money, energy, time and strategy in security.
What has stabilised the business and economic environment is not the function of a fat treasury the administration inherited but the way resources have been deployed to benefit the people.
Data obtained from the Anambra State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture showed that “in the last three years, the number of small scale industries has increased by 38 per cent as against what it was before Obiano’s inception, and a total of 126 medium-scale industries that were moribund have come back to life.”
Most of those who fail to see the impact of Obiano’s administration on agriculture are detached from the people, the farms and markets.
They are used to life in Abuja and Lagos where they dash from fast food restaurant to supermarket to grocery store in search of processed agricultural produce.
They get confused when they hear that what is in Sokoto is now in the sokoto trousers they are wearing.
In this era of economic downturn, when life is unbearable for the average Nigerian, Anambrarians have seen an alternative in farms that yield bountiful produce that put cash in their pockets.
Obiano uses his “Choose Your Project Initiative” to bond with the 177 communities in the state and – adapting banks’ “Know Your Customer (KYC)” – has worked out modalities to interface with voters to make governance felt.
He gives the people the opportunity to choose the projects they want.
Nearly all roads in the state are asphalted because the N20 million each community now gets to meet basic needs was in the past used by politicians to drink Champagne.
Obiano’s performance does not depict a man who does not understand the dynamics of governance, demands of his people and preparedness to satisfy them. Other governors are content flagging off projects they are not ready to complete. But his priority is to attend to projects inherited from his predecessor, Obi.
Not even the frosty relationship between him and Obi has stopped him from completing projects initiated by Obi.
Obiano has completed the construction of 51 of the 101 road projected carried over from the Obi era, given N10 million each to 65 markets for facelift and built the first Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) digital television.
To further open up the state economy, he recently flagged off an Anambra Airport City Project in Umueri sitting on 1,500 hectares of land.
It is funded with $2 billion pooled by a consortium of Chinese and Nigerian firms, and is expected to be completed in three years and provide 1,200 direct jobs and 3,600 indirect ones.
Tax payers’ money is not involved because the project is in a Build, Operate, Manage and Transfer (BOMT) arrangement.

ENUGU- Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned that Ndigbo will use all resources within its reach to resist any attempt to rig Anambra state Governorship election on Saturday. It however pleaded that the people of Anambra state should be allowed to decide who should become their governor for the next four years.

The apex Igbo organization also charged politicians and Ndigbo to watch their polling booths closely in other to‎ ensure that declared results represent outcome of elections in their units.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo in a press briefing in Enugu, yesterday, said that “the news of withdrawal of security details from Governor of Anambra state is highly regrettable.” Nwodo further noted that “all his (Anambra Governor) opponents have security details,” adding that “besides as a sitting Governor, who by constitution is the Chief Security officer of the state, this action is nonsensical and ultra virus.”
He stated that Ohanaeze was satisfied with the resolve of the people of Anambra state and all the political parties in the state to turn out for the election, ‎adding that not to do so would be a disservice to Anambra state and Ndigbo. “Ohanaeze is insistent that the votes of Ndi-Anambra must be respected in saturday’s election,” Nwodo insisted.
He disclosed that the Igbo body applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for observer status and that the organization has recruited lecturers from universities‎ and polytechnics to help the Igbo group observe conduct of the election.
“Any attempt to rig, manipulate, falsify or impose results on Ndi-Anambra in this election will be seriously resisted,” Nwodo threatened.
He however urged the Anambra people to tidy evidences of the election since there were fears of fake results or look-alike result sheets which he categorically asked the people to reject any of such electoral fraud that may take place.
“Ndigbo will resist rigging of Anambra election with every available resources within its armbit,” ‎he stressed.
On the‎ threat by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, against the election, Nwodo said it was not in the interest of Anambra People to boycott the election because it would amount to anarchy.
He stressed that the consequence of such boycott would be President Buhari’s imposition of sole administrator on the state until the president feels the state was ripe for election.
“He can even bring a Governor from any part of the country. So it will be like a military ad‎ministration if they don’t vote.
“What they (IPoB) would have done is to adopt a candidate but if they say they will kill, that’s criminal,” Nwodo said.
He advised Ndi-Anambra ‎to vote for their conscience. “The state is now a model of growth in Nigeria and there is no reason to have interrupted transition,” Nwodo advised.

On October 2, 2017, Awka, the Anambra State capital stood still for the incumbent Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), when he officially flagged off his re-election campaign for the November 18 gubernatorial poll in grand style, at the Alex Ekwueme Square.
The event attracted a large turnout of Anambrarians from the over 177 communities in the state, appearing in flamboyant APGA colours to show their solidarity and unflinching support for the party’s candidate, a man they believe, has done excellently well to deserve a second term in office to enable him continue with his good work. Addressing the mammoth crowd at the occasion attended by APGA chieftains, prominent citizens of Anambra, traditional/religious leaders and different groups/associations, Obiano pledged to continue to execute developmental projects to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the Anambra people for a better society, if re-elected.
According to him, “We gave each community N20 million for any project of their choice and any community that uses up the funds should come for another N20 million. Next year, we will begin to give N50 million to different communities. “What we are going to do in the next four years in agriculture will be greater than what we have already done. Now, we are more than self-sufficient in rice production and we are progressing in the production of maize, cassava and yam. Next year, we are going to provide funds to farmers to start breeding our own cattle, goat, chicken and other livestock. “The election is just 48 days from today (October 2, 2017) and we have only two choices; to consolidate on the rapid growth we have made so far, or take a step backwards into dark days of lawlessness and shame. All over the world, excellence does not happen by chance; it is usually a direct result of clear vision, smart decisions and bold resolve to rise above average. We plead that we be given another chance to turn excellence into a habit. I represent dignity in labour and reward for hard work.”
Thirty-seven political parties have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for participation in the Anambra guber election. Candidates of the 37 political parties given the go-ahead to take part in the contest are all eminently qualified to occupy the number-one seat of Anambra State. However, the three top candidates in the race are Obiano of APGA, Oseloka Henry Obaze of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Tony Nwoye of All Progressives Congress (APC). The three of them are from the northern axis of the state where the governorship position is expected to reside for another four years based on the zoning arrangement among the three senatorial districts in Anambra.
The candidate of United Progressive Party (UPP), Osita Chidoka, is equally a frontline contender among those that are eyeing Obiano’s seat. Even though he is from Anambra Central, he appears to be confident that he would win the election, regardless of the zoning agreement said to be in place. Nwoye, who has federal might to his advantage as the candidate of the ruling party at the centre, was quoted as saying: “We (APC) must win this election at all costs. We must not allow us to be defeated. After we have won let anybody who is aggrieved go to court.”
Former Governor Peter Obi is standing solidly behind Obaze, the PDP candidate, to unseat Obiano. Obi handed over power in the state to the incumbent governor in 2014, after joining forces with the likes of Chief Victor Umeh, then national chairman of APGA to ensure the victory of the banker turned politician in the 2013 Anambra guber poll. The same Obi who has since moved to PDP is now vehemently leading the campaign against the second term bid of Obiano. And many are asking the question, what may have gone wrong between Obi and Obiano?
Speaking on why he decided to lead the campaign against Obiano’s re-election bid, Obi said it was because of the governor’s “non-performance” and not for anything personal. In his words, “I governed this state for eight years, I can tell you that there is no candidate in this present election that can work better than our (PDP) candidate, Obaze. Some people wrote that Peter Obi and Obiano are quarrelling. I don’t have any issue with Mr. Willie Obiano, but I have issues with Governor Obiano. We are not quarrelling, Obiano is still my friend… We challenge Obiano to show us what he has done in his first term. Go to all parts of the state where all of you came from, can you mention the things he has done? He has done nothing. That is why I am here to lead the campaign that he will not return.”
Umeh, who is leading the campaign for the re-election of Obiano has invariably maintained that Obi is not a threat to the governor’s victory come November 18, even as he has decided to play the role of a godfather to Obaze. As the Chairman of Obiano’s re-election committee, he has said in different fora that no amount of lies and propaganda put up against Obiano can stop the people of Anambra State from voting massively for the APGA’s candidate with the numerous achievements he has so far recorded since he came into office. He strongly believes APGA remains the only party firmly rooted in Anambra State and totally accepted and embraced by the people for its entrenchment of good governance in the state. For him, those that are not seeing Obiano’s landmark feats and exploits in the state are people who are seeking to occupy his seat.
Noting that Obiano’s popularity can be seen from the massive support and number of endorsements he has received from various groups, the ex-APGA helmsman said: “With these endorsements coming from the right, left and centre, the re-election of Governor Obiano is assured. This has shown that people of the state from all walks of life are behind him and our party APGA. Other parties dreaming of snatching Anambra from APGA should better not waste their time because it is no go area. Anambra is for APGA and not for other parties. Already more than 145 market unions and 200 groups have so far endorsed Governor Obiano for a second term in office on account of his sterling performances in office. Among these groups are traders, artisans, the disabled, less privileged, Okada and Keke riders, professional bodies and youth groups among others.”
Umeh, one of the most consistent members of APGA and a strong pillar of the party had argued that “Obiano’s profile of service and career is far above all the other candidates seeking to contest with him in the November 18 Anambra election. He (Obiano) has proved his worth in the areas he has served. Governance is not about being a Diplomat or working in the United Nations. It is about the ability to deliver and have a comprehensive knowledge of governance that will enable you to effectively deploy state resources to the benefit of the people. You have to be an investment expert to be able to govern well. Obiano is a chartered accountant and a banker of high repute who knows how to attract investments. He is an investment expert. And he has proven it from the way he has been able to attract investments to the state.”
The Obiano’s re-election committee chairman had also emphasized that only the triumph of the APGA’s flag bearer at the poll will sustain the governorship zoning formular, which according to him, was made by the leadership of the State Ohaneze Ndigbo and sanctioned by the State Elders Advisory Council. He explained that the zoning agreement was reached to allow the Northern Senatorial District complete eight years on the guber seat and give way for the Southern Senatorial District. He added that it would be a breach of the said agreement if any other person from Anambra North is allowed to come in now to spend eight years before the people of Anambra South will take their turn.
Despite the choice of his daughter as the PDP’s deputy governorship candidate to Obaze, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, seems to align with the position of Umeh. The elder statesman was reported to have reaffirmed his endorsement of Obiano’s re-election bid, when he said: “the people of Anambra South cannot afford to wait for eight years; Governor Obiano deserves to be returned for the second term because of his commendable performance in office.”
The National Coordinator, APGA media warriors Forum, Evang Chinedu Obigwe, sees Ekwueme’s reaffirmation of his support for Obiano’s second term ambition as “an upper cut blow” on PDP that may have chosen the ex-VP’s daughter as a way of securing his endorsement for Obaze. Obigwe described the erstwhile number-two citizen as a man of sound character that wanted the best for his State, wondering why anybody would be plotting to remove Obiano who has tremendously transformed Anambra to the admiration of the people of the state.
Michael Jegede, a media expert writes from Abuja

First civilian governor of the state, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife has given reasons why the state’s elders are backing the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano for a second term.
Ezeife regretted that the ongoing electioneering campaigns in the state were based on blatant lies and denials, adding that people were even denying the stupendous growth in the agricultural sector, as well as in infrastructural development across the state. The former governor, who is the chairman of the Elders’ Council said: “In the beginning, Governor Willie Obiano, after being sworn in, told the elders of Anambra State in his first meeting with the council, that his first priority would be security.
“I was the first member to respond to the governor’s statement and I told him that it is only people who feel secure that will come and invest in our economy. Another member of the council stated with emphasis that should the governor succeed with security, he would easily be allowed to go for the second term, although most people doubted the possibility of achieving meaningful security in Anambra State because of the situation the state was in at the time. “Today, the story is clear and definite. Anambra State is one of the safest in the country. Before Obiano’s security solution, visiting Anambra State was with great fear and some would not dare enter the state. Even in day time, moving around Onitsha was so harzzadous and in general, people smuggled themselves in and out of the state. “Kidnapping was a regular occurrence and only doubtful and deceitful investors visited Anambra. The story is totally different today as people move without fear and rich people now hold their ceremonies in the state.
“The truth of the matter is that Anambra elders committed themselves to Governor Obiano that if he succeeded with solving the security problem, they would support his second term bid. Indeed, it is now the debt we owe him and we should do it with happiness and celebration.”
According to Ezeife, it was quite possible and likely that most people in the state had taken security for granted, but Nigerians knew what happened.

Nnewi – Governor Willie Obiano yesterday at about 6pm demonstrated to the people of Anambra State that the race for the governorship seat in the state is for the swift, agile and energetic person, when he raced into St Alphonsus Catholic Church field where thousands of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA faithful gathered to welcome him to Idemili North Local Government Area. The Governor had gone for an official assignment at the neighbouring Idemili South Council Area, but was delayed, while being waited by the party faithful at the Idemili North Council Area, for the flag-off the state Anambra election campaign for the local government .
Apparently worried that he had kept the people of Idemili North waiting for a long time, Governor Obiano alighted from his car along Nkpor Umuoji road, a distance of about 800 meters to the venue of the campaign flag off and started racing with his security details and other aides to the venue, an action that received loud ovation from the crowd, who started chanting of pro Obiano songs. The former national chairman of APGA and now Director General, Willie Obiano Reelection Campaign Committee, Chief Victor Umeh, Chairman of the LGA, Chief Raphael Asha Nnabuife and other dignitaries who were already on the podium, introducing the party stalwarts already seated before the arrival of the Governor were stunned by the speed with which the Governor ran into the venue, they respectively describing him as “a man who feel the pains of his people.” Shortly after taking his seat, as it was getting dark, the Governor mounted the podium and apologized to the people for his unavoidable late arrival, thanked the LGA Chairman Chief Nnabuife for good work and controlling an intimidating APGA faithfuls.
He told the people of Idemili North that they will benefit more from his administration in the next four years, having produced the current Commissioner for Education and Secretary to the State Government, SSG, of the state.
My first two years in office will ensure that Idemili North youths will be trained in skill acquisition and funds to start in different areas of skill my government will sponsor, just as jobs will be provided for them.
In his speech, Chief Umeh said “Anambra election is not only to reelect Governor Obiano but to ensure that APGA did not go into extinction; we will not allow the only Governor elected under APGA to be removed from office.”
“The other one elected under APGA in Imo state is not a true son of Igbo land, we have known him for sabotage, Governor Obiano is the only Governor the Igbo race have, so the election is not only for Obiano’s reelection but to make sure the Igbo race is not wiped out in Nigeria.
“You have seen the way Igbos are treated in Nigeria, and the people doing that have the gumption to come here in Anambra to campaign and tell you to vote for their candidate, or remain outside the government in Nigeria, what in insult.
“The way Igbos are treated in Nigeria has exposed the injustice against the Igbo people and we must struggle harder like never before to ensure that we remain in Nigeria, you should not listen to the people who are coming here to tell you to join them, their end will soon come.
National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye, received from the L.G.A Chairman, Chief Raphael Asha Nnabuife, over 250 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC faithful from the L.G.A, who decamped from their parties and joined APGA, to keep to his promise of 100 percent vote for Obiano in council area.

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Idris, said the withdrawal of the Aide Camp (ADC) to Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra was to prevent the re-occurrence of past experience.


IGP-Idris
Idris gave the explanation during Election Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday in Awka.



Nwesmen report that Obiano had during the forum raised the alarm that he woke up on Tuesday morning to find that his ADC had been directed by the Police High Command to vacate him.

Obiano said that the directive had put his life in danger, describing the act as unacceptable and unfair treatment to his person and office.


The governor noted that his standing for re-election did not remove the fact that he was the Chief Security Officer of the state.

But the IG said the withdrawal of the ADC was based on the previous experience the police recorded whereby the military caught an ADC to an unnamed governor escorting a vehicle loaded with arms on Election Day.


“We do not mean anything bad to Anambra governor on this action; his ADC will be returned to him early Sunday morning after the governorship election on Saturday Nov.18.

“We have equally withdrawn all the policemen attached to political appointees, Local Government Chairmen and others in Anambra till after the election,’’ he said.

Idris said that the Police Force had deployed 26, 000 personnel, 300 vehicles, three helicopters and 15 gunboats for the poll.

The deployment of policemen and other security personnel, he said, was not to cause panic, but to give the people the needed protection.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said everything had been put in place for the conduct of credible, free and fair election on Nov. 18.

Mahmood said that distribution of non-sensitive materials would commence on Thursday, while the sensitive materials would arrive the state via Akanu Ibiam International Airport,Enugu, on Thursday.

“I will like to use this opportunity to declare as untrue the earlier claim by some people that sensitive materials for this election were uncovered in a hotel in Awka.

“The sensitive materials will arrive through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and will be escorted like money to Awka by the Central Bank escort team on Thursday,’’ he said.

OBIANO, OBI AND THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS - PART 1
By Ogbuevi (Engr.) Basil Ejimovo Manafa

In Matthew 25:14-25:30 and Luke 19:12-19:27, our Lord Jesus Christ told his followers the parable of the talents.

I will not bore you with the story. I believe most of you who are Christians are familiar with the story. It’s basically a story of how a master demanded accounts from his servants to whom he bequeathed varied talents to prior to his journey, how the servants put the talents to use, and how he rewarded them.

The parable of the talents remains very relevant to people of this age and time. In that parable, one can deduce five lessons from our Lord Jesus Christ, and they are:

1. Success is a product of USEFUL work;
2. God always gives us all we need to do what he has called us to do;
3. We are not all created equal in abilities;
4. We work for God, not for ourselves;
5. We will be held accountable.

In that parable, the servant that was bequeathed one talent dug a hole and hid it. In order words, he saved where there won’t be returns. When the master asked for an account, he quickly excavated the hole and retrieved the talent, and handed over to the master!

The second servant that was bequeathed two talents, invested it and got two more! The master praised him!

The third servant was handed five talents. He invested it and got five more! And the master praised him to the extent he stripped the first servant of the one talent in his possession and handed it over to the third.

Below sections will analyze the talents (revenues) that accrued to the state under the stewardships of the state’s chief servants starting from 2006. The author would equally analyze how the chief servants utilized the talents handed over to them by their Master within the period of their stewardship.

For the sake of analogy, the Master in this case would be Ndi-Anambra. Ndi-Anambra own the state and they hired the servants through elections, to steer the ship and lead them to prosperity.
It’s imperative to note that the servants have different approaches to managing resources. While one adopted or modified the strategy of the first servant, the other adopted the strategy of the second and third servant.

The servants in this story are Ex Gov. Peter Obi and incumbent Gov. Willie Obiano.

Below tables captured the Federal Allocations available to both Governors from Obi’s first tenure starting April 2006 to July 2017 (the extent to which I could derive information from the National Bureau of Statistics ( National Bureau of Statistics, http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/)

Table 1: FAAC Disbursements to Anambra State
Period (Yr) Amount (₦ bn)
2006 (Apr – Dec) 24.53
2007 27.92
2008 38.33
2009 32.04
2010 43.78
2011 50.74
2012 54.9
2013 59.16
2014 (Jan – Mar) 12.59
Total (FAAC under Obi) ₦343.99 Billion
2014 (Apr – Dec) 38.18
2015 40.38
2016 32.69
2016 (Jan – Jul) 22.31
Total (FAAC under Obiano) ₦133.56 Billion

Table 1 captured the breakdown of the federal allocations available to Peter Obi. We can deduce that Obi’s stewardship received the sum of ₦343.99bn (an equivalent of $2.313bn at the then prevalent exchange rates). On the other hand, the breakdown of the federal allocations available so far to Obiano’s stewardship is the sum of ₦133.56bn (an equivalent of $577.62m at the prevalent exchange rates).

Table 2 below, is a snapshot of the Internally Generated Revenues from the state under the two gentlemen.

Table 2: Internally Generated Revenues
Period (Yr) Amount YoY Growth
2008 ₦5.9 bn
2009 ₦6.4 bn 8.5%
2010 ₦7.6 bn 18.8%
2011 ₦6.1 bn -19.7%
2012 ₦7.6 bn 24.6%
2013 ₦8.7 bn 14.5%
Total (Obi in 6 yrs) ₦42.3 bn 47% growth in 6 years
2014 ₦10.5 bn 20.7%
2015 ₦14.8 bn 41.0%
2016 ₦15.6 bn 5.4%
Total (Obiano in 6 yrs) ₦40.9 bn 79% growth in 3 years

Table 2 indicates that while Peter Obi received ₦343.99 billion from federation account in 8 years of economic boom, he could only generate ₦42.3 billion internally and growth of 47% over 6 years period.

Willie Obiano on the other hand has only received ₦113.56 billion so far from the federation account but has almost equaled Peter Obi’s efforts of 8 years by generating ₦40.9 billion so far not including the months of January to August 2017. As a matter of fact, Obiano has been able to grow the figure he inherited by a whopping 79% in his stewardship.

The implication of the above facts is that Willie Obiano has proved that his stewardship is modelled after the second and third servants that Jesus Christ described in the parable of the Talents.
To further evaluate the stewardship of both gentlemen, it would be nice going through the core of their governance models.
Below sections discusses Peter Obi’s stewardship model by analyzing his core policy drives, outcomes and scorecard anchored on (1) ANIDS, (2) tangible projects, (3) intangible projects, (4) employments, (5) salaries and pensions, (6) investments, and (7) liabilities.

1. ANIDS
Peter Obi instituted ANIDS without any structure to ensure its sustenance. He successfully dismantled ANIDS by compensating his cronies with ANIDS assets while passing the liabilities to the new administration.

2. Tangible Projects
Peter Obi initiated 800 km of Trunk B & C roads and 25 large and medium scale bridges. Unfortunately, he left the roads and bridges at 46% completion at the end of his tenure, amounting to 368 kilometers actually completed. The Onitsha - Nkpor Flyover even collapsed and was repaired by Willie Obiano. Over 50% of the roads completed have failed due to improper supervision or substandard materials causing Obiano to launch Operation zero potholes on Anambra roads.

3. Intangible Projects
According to Peter Obi’s report, he procured and distributed 1,700 vehicles to important organizations including security agencies, missionary, public and private schools and hospitals. He also claimed to have distributed over ₦20 billion to same organizations covering 22,000 computers and laptops, 1000 distribution transformers and hundreds of industrial generators. He also claimed to have transformed and upgraded the hitherto "glorified secondary school" called "Anambra State University" to befitting "Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University". Since these are intangibles, most of the claimed effects have worn out as some of the assets were fritted away by the beneficiaries just like the case of ANIDS.

4. Employments
Peter Obi did not employ workers in close to 8 years in office. However, he was able employ over 5,000 in 2014, a few weeks to his handover. While some argue that the employment was badly timed and largely compensatory to Obi's kinsmen, we are grateful he finally employed Ndi-Anambra. Peter Obi obviously believes Willie Obiano will figure out how to manage the huge wage bill.

5. Salaries and Pensions
Peter Obi claimed to have spent ₦35 billion on payment and liquidation of pension and gratuity arrears owed State and LGA serving and retired workers that accumulated since 1995. Throughout Obi’s tenure, workers’ salaries were paid in arrears. His tenure also witnessed a lot of strikes by workers. Workers and retirees of Anambra Broadcasting Services, Water Corporation and other parastatals were owed salaries and pensions. Those that retired were not paid their gratuities. Judiciary workers, NULGE and SBEB workers were on strike for more than 6 months demanding pay increase.

6. Investments and Cash Savings
Peter Obi claimed he left ₦75 billion in cash and investments out of which he invested in local companies to the tune of ₦27 billion. He listed investments in SABMiller, Independent Power Project, Orient Petroleum, Hotels in Agulu, Awka and Onitsha as contributing to that sum. However, the current administration has described that claim as misleading giving the inclusion of items such as counterpart funds that are jointly held with development finance institutions, land contributions, FGN refunds, differences in bank balances and investments made directly by the Federal Government on behalf of the three tiers of government totaling approximately N39.5bn as part of the so called liquid savings left by the Obi administration. They emphasized that the items making up the so called ₦75 billion have been reclassified as “illiquid Investments”, “Not Investments", “FGN Receivable”, and “Involuntary Investments”. The current administration clarified that Peter Obi left only ₦9 billion in liquid cash, and ₦26.5 billion in Eurobonds otherwise known as near cash, being that they could be converted to real cash within 24 hours.

7. Liabilities
Peter Obi claimed he did not leave any debt for the current administration. However, this claim has been disputed by the current administration as the clearly pointed out to liabilities to the sum of ₦185.5 billion in unpaid contract sums.

Part 2 of this article will analyze Chief Willie Obiano’s stewardship model.

Why much talk about Tony Nwoye?

Tony Okechukwu Nwoye is a well known brigand who terrorized Enugu state, Ebonyi state and Anambra State from 1998 to 2015. He started as a member of cult group otherwise known as of Africa. In Enugu, Tony who was supposed to be decent as a medical student was fiercely engaged into several cult killings and other clandestine activities. His academic activities were affected by his incessant cult activities. However, Tony was severally arrested by the special police division in Enugu then known as Operation Vigilance. His name was boldly written in their detention cell in those days. Tony Nwoye was summarily rusticated from the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus due to his recalcitrant cult activities. Yet, Tony refused to leave the school premises and stayed on campus for additional 8 years. He then used his cult group to snatch the post of President of National Association of Nigerian Students when he was actually not a student. One Ike Klinsman Ohamadike who ran away to Sweden after he killed a fellow student in school was his ally then. Ike Klinsman was studying pharmacy then but had to run away after killing a fellow student. Tony was a willing tool for Andy Ubah and Obasanjo who made him the state chairman of PDP. Andy Ubah supplied him with all the political backings he needed which made him graduate to international brigandage. He led the people that burnt down all the public infrastructures in Anambra state in 2004. He led those that assassinated Barnabas Igwe and his pregnant wife. In fact, Tony Nwoye personally crushed their dead bodies with a 504 black salon car.
Today, the same Tony Nwoye wants to rule the same state he burnt down. The same Tony Nwoye wants to manage the state he destroyed.
It is important to note that Tony Nwoye being a poor boy from a poor family as his godfather revealed want to sell us off to Arthur Eze the way Mbadinuju did. Do you now that Tony Nwoye is bereft of intelligence to rule Anambra State? This Tony Nwoye of a man knows next to nothing about how Nigerian economy works. He doesn't know what poverty index means and how to work it out. Do you know that Tony Nwoye is a green horn who never worked anywhere except thuggery? Do you know that Tony is always associated with fraudulent political gains? How did he get to the national assembly?
This is a story for anther day. What of his twin brother who is a lawyer? Tony almost killed him. Tufiakwa.

*Tony Nwoye goes on a burning mission again*

Look at the tiny crowd of Tony Nwoye thugs who came out to greet Tony Nwoye at Nzam, Anambra West.

These look like the same Nwoye thugs who burnt down Government House Awka, as led by Tony Nwoye.

These same Nwoye followers are now burning APGA clothes. No agenda, no manifesto, except violence, thuggery and evil.

Anambra people should totally reject Tony Nwoye and his deadly thugs.