Date Published: 06/21/09
Anambra 2010: THE MANY TROUBLES OF PETER OBI
By Walter Duru
As the next gubernatorial election in Anambra State draws near, the storm
appears to be raging very high with the core opposition as well as the
other gladiators strategising seriously.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, which sponsored the incumbent
governor, Peter Obi, appears divided on the return of the governor to the
Anambra State Government House through its platform, following the
leadership crises that have rocked the Party’s national structure for
several years now.
The Governor is said to have been loyal to the Chief Victor Umeh’s
faction of the party, as against the Chief Chekwas Okorie’s faction,
which is said to be recognised by the Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, following a Supreme Court ruling, in his favour.
Investigations however revealed that the Victor Umeh’s faction of the
Party may not have obeyed the said ruling of the Court, hence, the
continued existence of his group. While the Chekwas Okorie’s faction is
starved of funds, the other appears very buoyant, having the backing and
support of a serving governor.
This situation, no doubt, may have kept the governor in a state of
dilemma, as to which way to follow, especially, now that the next general
election is around the corner. Chief Chekwas Okorie has severally been
quoted as saying that Governor Obi shall not have the Party’s ticket to
run in the 2010 general election in the state. Recently, the governor was
also linked to a move to reconcile the two factions of the party, o move
which many predict, will hit brick walls.
Again, his relationship with his Deputy, Mrs Etiaba is also said not to be
cordial, a situation that is also seen as a threat to his second tenure
ambition.
Just recently also, the governor was linked to a two hundred and fifty
million naira money laundering scandal; a development that has in no small
measure put a question mark on the integrity of the governor.
Reacting to this development, Benjamin Maduka writes: “It is hoped that
Governor Peter Obi has not been hemmed into a serious scandal of local
money laundering. On June 2, 2009, many Nigerian newspapers were awash
with the news that one governor from the south-east (some called him
businessman-governor) was involved with N250million being transferred in
cash in three suit cases.
The story had it that security agents had on tip-off trailed the matter
and eventually traced it with one Ejike Onwosugbolu said to be Governor
Obi’s business associate.
While some media failed to go direct in mentioning Governor Obi’s name,
it was ‘The Nation’ newspaper on its page 12 that gave an almost
precise and direct account of the incidence. In its brief story, it quoted
the Obi’s Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) Valentine Obienyem as
saying that the money was not up to one-tenth of what was mentioned. This
indirectly, is an admission of Obi’s involvement with the money that
was found on Ejike Onwosugbolu of Glitz Introvert Company who he claimed
had explained that the money was from a job done for the government.
One would like to know when government resorted to ‘paying
contractors’ in huge cash if not to avoid being traced. One may like to
ask to know the particular government job which Obi’s Special Assistant
Media said it was for. One would like to know what EFCC and ICPC are for
and if they allow this to be swept like others under the carpet, they
should better be scrapped”.
Again, a group which calls itself the International Society For Civil
Liberties And The Rule Of Law, Intersociety, has petitioned the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the case. The petition
signed by Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi,
Chairman, Board of Trustees reads:“Dear Chairman: Re-N250 Million Money Laundering Scam Involving
Governor Peter Obi`s Contractor (Mr. Ejike Onwusogbulu) And Others:
Comprehensive And Conclusive Investigations Are Necessary We, in the International Society For Civil Liberties And The Rule Of Law,
Intersociety, humbly write to Your Commission, concerning the named
subject matter.
On Sunday, the 1st day of June, 2009, the police in Lagos State were
alerted by yet-to-be-identified persons, concerning strange movement of
vehicular, which reportedly belonged to the Government of Anambra State.
The informers had reportedly informed the police that the vehicles were in
possession of caches of arms and ammunition, reportedly purchased by the
Government of Anambra State, to be used against its opponents and the
Anambra populace in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
When the police struck, according to sources, they discovered huge sums of
money in different naira denominations, which were reportedly stashed in
some Ghana-Must-Go bags. The said vehicles were reportedly moving towards
N0 7, Aerodrome Street, Apapa in Lagos State, which is the corporate
headquarters of companies belonging to Mr. Peter Obi and his associates.
It was also discovered, as alleged, that one Ejike Onwusogbulu of Glitz
Introvert Ltd. Lagos, who allegedly works for the Government of Anambra
State, as a contractor, was the carrier of the said huge sums of money.
Since then, the following versions of the story have been in circulation:
That the sum of N250 million was involved and recovered; That the sum of
N2.5 Billion was involved; That the sum of 25 million US Dollars was
involved; That those caches of arms and ammunition were found in the
vehicular; That the money found, was not up to any of the amount mentioned
(government source);That the movement of such huge cash to the source
mentioned, has become a routine; That the money, recovered, was meant to
be laundered through unconventional routes; That the said money was to be
kept at N0. 7, Aerodrome Street , Apapa, Lagos State , from where it would
be stashed in ECOLAG bags, escorted to Cotonou in Benin Republic , flown
to The Gambia via Slok Airliners, for its onward transfer to the Republic
of Cape Verde , where it would be stashed away; That Governor Peter Obi is
a pretender, fraudulent, profligate, plunderer, corrupt and an abuser of
office, who stashes Anambra Commonwealth in the Republic of Cape Verde ;That Mr. Valentine
Obienyem, Governor Obi`s Special Assistant on Media Matters and some
relatives and close associates of Mr. Peter Obi, were in company of Mr.
Ejike Onwusogbulu, in the said vehicles, when they were caught; That the
ownership of the said monies, which is a looted fund, as alleged, is
between Mr. Peter Obi and his media aide, Mr. Val. Obienyem; That the
money so recovered, is one of the numerous dirty and illegal trans- State
(Anambra) transactions, carried out by Mr. Peter Obi and his cronies,
which go unreported; That the money so recovered was derived from genuine
business transactions between Mr. Ejike Onwusogbulu, his Glitz Introvert
Limited and the Government of Anambra State; That the money so recovered,
was meant, specifically, for the purchase of brand new and Belgium
automobiles for the Government of Anambra State; That the money was not
to be laundered, but it was received from cash payments made by the Government of Anambra State to the said
contractor last weekend; That the automobile dealers, especially those
operating from wharfs, sell cheaper and supply high grades, on cash
and-cash basis.
Among these versions, what baffles the informed mostly is the carriage of
the huge cash, and on a Sunday. Though, a source claimed that it was to be
used in the following day (Monday). Some critics have also questioned the
rationale behind Governor Peter Obi`s curious visit on Sunday (01/06/09)
to his Apapa office, on the heels of the incident. Though, a source,
again, claimed that his visit was prompted by a weighty allegation that
caches of arms and ammunition were found in his passive convoy in Lagos.
In the events of these, we are of the firm view that it is only by
competently, comprehensively and conclusively investigating this matter,
that truth could be known; our laws protected, Anambra treasury secured,
public interest protected and the accused exonerated and their image
cleared if they are found to be innocent.
Therefore, we humbly call upon Your Commission to investigate the said
matter, as a matter of uttermost immediacy, competence, comprehensiveness
and conclusiveness. Your Commission investigations may be primarily
focused on financial criminal aspect (money laundering, etc). And in the
course of the investigation, relevant laws pertaining to cash transaction,
transit, carriage, etc, shall be considered.
All the sixteen listed versions as well as the principle of mens reu
(intention) shall be fully examined and exploited. The following persons
shall be invited and dispassionately interrogated:
May we, also, remind Your Commission that by the Nigerian Supreme Court
Precedent, in: Chief Gani Fawehinmi versus Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a
sitting governor can be investigated, indicted or exonerated? If indicted,
he would face criminal prosecution after his immunity (see section 308 of
the 1999 Constitution) elapsed. If other persons mentioned or suspected,
are indicted, they should be prosecuted accordingly. The report of Your
Commission`s findings shall be made public.
We humbly, trust in Your Commission prompt and competent handling of this
important matter”
Apart from this new twist, the Uba family factor in the State is another
difficult hurdle that he must cross. The gubernatorial candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party in the last general election in the state and
former aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Andy Uba, is not
relenting in his struggle to return to the Anambra State Government
House, which he occupied for less than one Month, before the historic
Supreme Court Ruling that reinstated the then ousted Governor Obi to
complete his tenure.
More so, just recently, the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance, APGA, has condemned the alleged wanton looting of the
treasury of the state by the state governor Peter Obi saying the governor
is on his own.
The party said as a people-oriented political party, it is committed to
accountability and the principles of good governance, hence condemns
entirely the act of looting Anambra State treasury.
In a release signed by the State Chairman of the party in Anambra, Dr.
Okey Umeano and sent to Niger Delta STANDARD recently, the party said it
deemed it fit to “state clearly before the good people of Anambra State
and the entire world that Mr. Peter Obi is on his own in the 250million
Naira Money Laundering Crisis rocking his government.
“All Progressives Grand Alliance as a party that emerged as direct
challenge to the bad governance that have plagued our fatherland since
Independence, will not in any way be party to any act that is capable of
perpetuating Ndigbo in political doldrums”
The statement which further reads in part said “the sad memories of the
then government in power were fresh in the minds of our people when they
voted overwhelmingly for APGA in 2003.
“It is true that the All Progressives Grand Alliance provided the
platform for the realization of the gubernatorial ambition of Mr. Peter
Obi, APGA as a responsible political party will not provide any platform
for the looting of Anambra State”, it said.
While calling on relevant bodies to investigate the scandal with a view to
ascertaining the criminality or otherwise of the said transaction, the
party enjoined Anambra people to remain law abiding and continue to
support the ideals of APGA which it said do not encourage corrupt
practices.
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Police Command on 29 May, 2009
apprehended a group of men said to be aids of the Anambra State governor
Obi as they were ferrying the total sum of N250 million to a company
belonging to the governor at the Apapa area of Lagos.
The aides were said to have employed the official vehicles of the governor
of Anambra State in their sordid mission.
Governor Obi’s latest troubles could truncate his chances for a possible
ticket under the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance [PPA]. It
could be recalled that the Chairman of Board of Trustees of PPA, Chief
Orji Uzor Kalu had extended a public invitation to Governor Peter Obi to
come over to join the PPA “ that the ticket for gubernatorial run for
Anambra 2010 was there for the wanting, if he [Obi] intends to return to
the government house”.
However, with the Governor of Anambra State battling for political
survival in shark infected waters, the fast dwindling public trust over
what was once a solid integrity in turn has led political blocks who once
saw a beautiful bribe in the Governor to distance themselves from the
embattled governor.
Just recently also, the Supreme Court struck out Chief Andy Uba’s suit
where he prayed the Court to reverse its decision on the Anambra case. He
also, in one of the suits prayed the Court to declare him ‘Anambra State
Governor in waiting’, a suit, which he also lost; as the Court ruled
that he contested for a position that was not vacant.
These whole developments do not call for celebration by the Governor
Obi’s camp as Chief Uba is still not relenting. Worst still is the fact
that he[Andy Uba] is said to have reconciled by his billionaire younger
brother, Chief Chris Uba; a development that naturally transforms to more
threat to Governor Obi’s second term ambition.
In addition,Dr. Chris Ngige factor is another source of worry to the
Governor. Our investigations revealed that Dr. Ngige, who contested in
the last gubernatorial election under the platform of the Action Congress,
is more than ever before, set to wrestle power out of the incumbent in the
next general election. Some factors counting in his favour include his
good performance during his short stay in office as governor before he was
thrown out by the Court, as well as his grassroots mobilization ability.
Anchored on the fore going, it is therefore obvious that the road to
Anambra State Government House come 2010 is very thorny, with no party
willing to compromise.
This is the time for Political leaders in the State to be judged by their
works; as they must work out their salvation. The masses are placed in a
position to make the right choice on whom their next Governor would be,
considering their antecedents.
The incumbent governor, Peter Obi must have by now, known if he has
performed creditably well or not to merit a second tenure or otherwise. He
must also take deliberate steps to straighten his records and clear the
air on the recent charge of local money laundering, if he is actually not
guilty, or resign immediately, if his explanations are not convincing.
The Peoples Democratic Party, as we all know has no other option other
than to plot on how to rig the election. The Party must at this point,
have a rethink, as the masses shall not fold their arms to see it throw
them into another round of Political Crises and Confusion. They must begin
to think of fielding a credible candidate that will be acceptable to the
people and also go an extra mile in trying to convince the people that
they are genuinely ready to change and run an open and transparent
government.
Again, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must drop its
cloak of being the ‘rigging machine’ of the Peoples Democratic Party
and for once, give Democracy a chance, by ensuring that a free, fair,
credible, transparent and acceptable election is conducted in the State,
come 2010.
More so, Civil Society groups in the State must wake up to the challenge
of ‘conscientising’ the people on the need for popular participation
in next year’s general election in the state.
Political Parties and groups in the state must also begin early to
mobilize the grassroots people for their support, instead of waiting to
cause confusion, in the bid to secure a ‘short cut’ at the verge of,
or during the election.
Politicians in the State must also desist from heating up the polity, but
should rather think of how to make it better for all to live in.
Furthermore, the masses must as a matter of serendipity, wake up to the
challenge of taking their destiny in their hands. The wish of the masses
must prevail. Democracy is the tyranny of the majority and must be allowed
to have its way. Anything short of that attracts social reprehension and
must be seen and treated as such.
‘Anambrarians’, now is the time. Let’s be great again.
Walter Duru is a journalist and Port Harcourt based Media/ Public
Relations Consultant.
Tel: 08036711220. E-mail: walterchike@yahoo.com
