It is painful writing this piece but more hurting not to put
pen on paper for the time is ripe.
For the first time in the history of Nigeria’s democracy,
Anambra State had a peaceful and most widely attended handover ceremony on
March 17, 2014. Many saw it as just a gathering of cheerful party faithful,
politically advantaged persons and proponents of Igbo Agenda but keen observers
sensed that there was more to it. It was the birth of a new Anambra.
Just few days into the life of Obiano’s administration, the
State got heated up, developments in the Light of the Nation became a national
discuss and resulting pictures and video clips from Anambra and its people went
viral on the internet. Not as a result
of crimes, burning of infrastructures, violence, chaos or any negative issue as
was previously obtainable, but due to an exponential and off-course unexpected increase
in tempo of governance.
What happened? Willie Obiano started straight up without
delay.
From setting up of a think-tank committee on Agriculture to
the Launch of Joint Security Operations termed “Operation Kpochapu”. In less 30
days, he had sanitized the State once under the torture of men of the underworld.
Simultaneously, as he campaigned against crime, the new governor commenced the
registration of youths for training, employment or empowerment, thereby
providing a positive alternative for the good people of Anambra State.
Unlike some other political office holders that use their first
100 Days-in-Office ceremony to celebrate their election victory in grand style,
Chief Obiano had more than enough to celebrate. His achievements in such a
short time made his name echo around the world as an achiever per excellence.
In just 100 Days, Obiano had made Anambra a haven of peace;
cleansed the notorious Upper Iweka, Onitsha and environs; set-up committees and
developed blueprints on how to tackle challenges in Agriculture, Education and
Health, Youth Development, Job Creation and Employment, Awka Capital City
Development, Oil and Gas Exploration to mention but a few. He had ensured
constant supervision of all contracts awarded by his predecessor, Mr Peter Obi.
And in keeping to his 4Cs (Continue, Complete, Commission and Commence)
approach, he had commissioned some completed projects and flagged off many
remarkable programmes and road infrastructure.
Obiano triggered tears from our eyes when he flagged off the
construction of 3 state-of-the-art fly-overs in Awka. At the 100th
day in office, Chief Willie Obiano taught us to be “Ndi Anambra” and not
“Anambrarians”. And proposed a new identity for us; a new Anthem, a new Logo
and a new Flag.
Since then till date, Ndi Anambra have held their heads high
with encomiums pouring in from all angles, men and women, young and old,
political foes and friends.
My joy knew no bounds till I began to observe a tricky serial
attack on the person and administration of Willie Obiano by Daniel Elombah.
Keener investigations and latest developments suggest that the steady campaign
of hate by Barr Elombah of elombah.com is part of a ploy by enemies of progress
and apostles of chaotic State.
Being ignorant of the fact that a stone throne at a man of
goodwill attracts the wrath of the people, Mr Elombah provided his news blog, elombah.com
as a base to launch media attacks on Governor Obiano in a calculated attempt to
rubbish the governor’s image by trying to paint Obiano black in the eyes of the
unsuspecting citizens and well-wishers.
With so many unfruitful years in the United Kingdom, Elombah
who claims to have had a successful career as a legal practitioner never made a
headline as an achiever not to talk of setting up a law firm in his homeland
like most of his colleagues did.
Most painful is the fact that Elombah is from Anambra State
and has directly and indirectly reaped from the good governance being provided
by Governor Obiano. Instead of being of help to his people he resorted to
blackmail and campaign of calumny in order to satisfy his evil motives and
serve the bidding of his pay masters.
It is disgusting that a man who has felt the workings of a developed
society for many years and knows the beauty of developmental journalism, as is
most needed in Nigeria today, will descend so low as to do nothing positive but
to generate rumours, lies and unconfirmed reports with the sole aim of
misinforming the innocent public, all in the name of money making.
Though, elombah.com has lost its credibility a long time ago
but one will expect that the Willie-oriented refreshing wind of positive change
blowing in Anambra State would help correct Barr. Elombah’s thirst for journalism
of “who pays most”.
I agree journalism is not all about praise singing but you
need not stain the sparkling garment of a priest in an effort to stone him.
How can a sane man accuse Willie Obiano of Nepotism simply
because some of his aides who are very qualified, experienced and highly
productive as evidenced by his achievements so far, are from Aguleri. This a
state where past governors moved state-owned institutions and agencies to their
home towns without a single thought regarding the resulting consequences.
Today, all local governments are fully represented in Obiano’s government and I
strongly believe more will get in as the governor believes in capability and not
nativity.
Mr Elombah and his squad of blackmailers blamed Obiano for engaging
over 100 efficient aides instead of extoling him for having 80 % vibrant youths
and over 30 % women in his team, all appointed on merit and experts in what
they do. Being the first and only governor to have such composition in Nigeria.
Today, we have a governor who exhausts his security votes in
fighting crime with CCTV cameras in every corner of the Main Markets in the
State and drones hovering over our skies.
Even if the past governments have discouraged people’s
confidence in government, Chief Willie Obiano has changed that course, and
today he stands as the first governor to show that work starts from the
inauguration ground.
Since Obiano’s approach to governance permits cautious
embrace and redirection of a misguided brother, I encourage Barr Elombah and
his cohorts to have a rethink and tow the path of honour. As for his
paymasters, the power-drunk, people-disoriented and non-performing
representatives, I await their next move. A lot awaits to be penned down.
For friends of goodwill and Ndi Anambra, our new slogan is
Willie Is Working.
Ifeoma Ajoka (asiriajoka@gmail.com) A Public Affairs Analyst from Agulu, Anaocha Local Government of
Anambra State
