Peter Obi, Anambra State and Governance: Issues at stake

Tom Okpe in this write up examines the speech delivered recently by the former governor of Anambra state Chief Peter Obi on the culture of wastefulness by Nigerian leaders using his years of Governorship in the state as an example. The counter claim by Obi’s former aide Chief Ben Obi is also another interesting point, now the issues at stake.
 
The former Executive Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi On the 56th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria was on the Platform, a forum initiated by Pastor Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Christian Centre, where he spoke on the culture of wastefulness by Nigerian leaders. He used his eight years stewardship in the state as an example of true leadership on how to curtail government expenditure.

One of his close aides for the eight years he served, and incidentally his kinsman, Chief Ben Obi has picked holes in Obi’s presentation, saying they were direct opposite of what the former governor did while serving the state as Governor, this is now a case of which of the two gladiators is telling the truth.

Throughout the eight years of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State, Chief Ben Obi, from Agulu, Aniocha Local government area and the former governor were close allies. Though Ben was Special Assistant to the governor on Inter party matters; a position assumed not to be so high compared to some others among the ex-governor’s cabinet, Ben wielded powers and was considered as one of the closest aides to the former governor. It was a known fact that both men knew themselves better than some other aides in the cabinet.

Since Obi the former Governor appeared on The Platform on Independent day where he delivered what was considered a populist speech on how governments and its leaders can cut cost and check excesses, many; especially among Anambra people who knew the politicking that has been going on between the former governor and his successor, Chief Willie Obiano believe that Obi was not on the platform to teach, but saw it as an opportunity to get at Obiano. Consequently, the belief was that most of the insinuations on The Platform was geared towards spiting Obiano who he has had a frosty relationship with, since after his (Obiano’s) swearing in as Governor.

Peter Obi during his appearance at The Platform exonerated himself from some of the wastefulness indulged in by most governors in their states, saying that throughout his tenure as governor, he never used outriders, bulletproof SUVs, and ensured that he never had more than five cars in his convoy at every given point in time. He added that the government house is not a place where people come to make merry and party all night, but a place reserved for the Governor to work and tend for the state. He condemned the intake of expensive alcoholic beverages like champagne in most government houses, and the use of private jets by governors’ all at the expense of the state. He said he flew economy class while he was governor, to save Anambra money but regretted that governors embarked on wasteful and expensive trips which have no bearing with the development of the state.

Obi received huge applause for his performance at The Platform, but no sooner than he had delivered his speech had those who worked closely with him during his stewardship in Anambra began to accuse him of hypocrisy. Ben Obi who was Peter Obi’s Special Assistant and kinsman decried the level of hypocrisy embarked upon by his former boss. In a recent interview granted journalists by Ben, he revealed some of the ways his former boss and brother ruled Anambra state which was very different from what he told his audience at The Platform.

“Peter Obi always used private jets to travel as often as any other state governor in Nigeria. The records are there and can be made public. Peter Obi used helicopters to travel often, while he was the governor and he usually travelled alone or with one trusted aide. It was not a secret within the administrative circle in Awka; when he went for the burial of his wife’s sister, he flew in a helicopter; he took off from the government house. He went to see Olumba Olumba Obu with the helicopter, always accompanied by Valentine Obieyem”, he said.

On Peter Obi’s insistence that he never served the buffet style of meals, Ben said, “Peter Obi increased the money for his private kitchen at the government house to N2million monthly and increased the feeding for the Police Officers attached to him to N7million monthly, which he always pocketed. What he did was to sack all the previous cooks and butlers and employed over 30 cooks, butlers and Stewards from Akwa Ibom state and expanded the kitchen budget; the bills are still there. It is verifiable. The Akwa Ibom cooks and Stewards were over 30 so who were they cooking for? Buffet is always there, butlers and others. Prof Emenike Obi – Principal Secretary withdraws the money every month for him, they are verifiable.” Ben Obi countered.

Chief Peter Obi’s reference to his banning of alcoholic beverages such as Champagne at the government house he said was laughable. Ben Obi pointed to the Squash Court located inside the government house renovated by the Peter Obi administration and said it was utilized by Peter Obi as a makeshift warehouse for alcoholic beverages such as the drinks his company distributes in Nigeria. He explained that Peter Obi was storing expensive alcoholic beverages purchased with state resources.

During festive periods, he said Peter Obi will use the beverages as gifts to select personalities across the state. The gifts would be received as coming from the state government. He added that many of the contracts awarded by Peter Obi’s government were not done prudently as claimed. “All contractors must have accounts with Fidelity Bank and all cheques are collected at his house. Peter Obi claimed his administration is not owing any contractor, this is a lie because contractors were owed, and Obiano is silently paying for works done during Peter Obi’s administration.”

Ben Obi expressed worry why Peter Obi utilizes every opportunity available to castigate his successor, Governor Willie Obiano who he said has even humbled himself and begged Obi for forgiveness for any offense known and unknown. “Peter Obi still goes around talking about the Anambra Governor with disdain. Dr. Chris Ngige did not vilify him the way he is doing to Obiano. It is not fair. Peter Obi should be careful the way he opens his mouth because we can expose him to the public which will be enough to put him behind bars. Obiano does not want to probe him, so he should shut up,” Ben Obi added.

The issue has become a controversial one around the state and discussed freely among citizens in beer parlors, market places, offices as well as the government house. While most people affirmed to the former governor being a very humble personality, others believe that having had the chance to govern the state for eight years, he should move on and let his successor do it best for the state rather than attacking him. Some even point to other former governors in the country who have gone away quietly without interfering with the present governors’ administration as an example for Peter Obi to emulate.

It is believed that as Obi is still influential in the state, Obiano is equally very much liked by the people because of his performance at a very short period. Mr Lawrence Nwangwuta, a commercial motorcyclist on a telephone conversation said, “I have been in Anambra for ten years now, and I can tell you that Peter Obi did well in Anambra and Obiano is also following his footsteps.” Asked what he thinks of the feud between both men, he said, “Obi has done his work in Anambra, he should let Obiano do his own. Obiano has even begged him to forgive him, so I think it will be better for him to forgive him (Obiano) especially as people know him as a Christian here.”

Another respondent, Mr. Barthlomew Ejike, a lecturer in a private university in Anambra said, “People just want to remain the only superstar in their locality, and I think that is why Obi is distracting Obiano. Anyone who watched Obi’s presentation at the platform will not be in doubt over who he was referring to. It was clear that Obiano is his target, and I think that was bad. No one is saying he should not go anywhere to present papers, but let him do his job without looking for a way to denigrate Anambra governor. He has served us to the best of his ability, and must let Obiano do same. Except he fears that Obiano may surpass his achievement and become the next superstar in the state.”

A school proprietor in Anambra State, Engineer Barth Nwosu also agreed that Peter Obi had performed during his eight years in office but “his time has come and gone. He needs to leave the stage for the current governor to do his job. His insistence in interfering in Obiano’s administration lends credence to the rumor that though he pretends to be otherwise, he personifies the old tradition of wanting to have his hands in the kitty. May be that is the issue or maybe not, but his body language is leading the public to think so”.  
 
Meanwhile, it was gathered that following the failed reconciliation which was earlier brokered in Onitsha months ago, during the burial of Late Rev Fr Nicholas Tagbo, where Obiano had publicly begged Obi for forgiveness of whatever his sins may be, Catholic Bishops are making fresh efforts to reconcile Obi and Obiano once and for all. A source said the Bishops have been speaking with both Obi and Obiano separately, and are seriously working towards bringing both men into a room to lay bare their grouse. Until that is done, the gladiators and their aides will continue to throw darts at themselves at the expense of the state.