Date Published: 08/25/09
Amaechi: A Godfatherless Governor
By Nwaorgu faustinus chilee
One of the banes of Nigerian politics has been the issue of godfatherism.
This phenomenom has eaten so deep into the nation’s political landscape
since the return democracy and its experimentation in Nigeria from May29,
1999 to date. One major instance and worthy of note was the period of
awesome infrastructural decay in Awka, the state capital of Anambra State
when Chinweoke Mbadinuju held sway as the Chief Executive of the state. In
addition, not only was the state of infrastructure in a state of comatose
as evidenced in poor health facilities, insecurity, poor roads, etc but
civil servants and their pensioner counterparts were owed back log of
arrears by the then Mbadiniuju’s led administration.
In short that regime was adduced as a failed administration in the annals
of political history of Anambra State, courtesy of self-centered,
megalomaniac, kleptomaniac avaricious and visionless godfather – Emeka
Ofor. The story how Mbadinuju and his political godfather, Emeka Ofor who
sponsored him for the Governorship post reached an agreement on how to
share government funds is public knowledge. This duo unleashed painful and
unequaled economic rape in the lives and psyche of Anambrarians that will
ever remain indelible.
Aware of the saying that “those who are not familiar with the tragedies
of history do repeat them”, Mbadinuju’s successor, Chris Ngige defied
to abide by the terms of agreement which he reached with his godfather,
Chris Uba. Later it was learnt that he (Chris Ngige) signed a document
under duress on how to settle his godfather with state funds for helping
him ascend to the position of a governor. Ngige’s refusal to share state
fund with his godfather occasioned politically masterminded crisis in the
state which culminated to his abduction.
commenting on the crisis on page 12 of the Nigeria Compass, feb.22, 2009,
one Emmanuel Enyi Appolos wrote, “But that administration witnessed
turbulence than no other. The reason was due to Ngige’s dogged wrestle
against the godfathers who wanted him to hold the cow of the state while
they milked it.
The above scenario was what informed the substitution of Governor Amaechi
with his cousin, Sir Celestine Omehia to run for the governorship post at
the eleventh hour by the godfathers who run the political landscape in
Rivers State. The reason for his replacement being that he may not likely
settle his godfathers with state funds among others.
As a law abiding citizen, Amaechi fought his replacement constitutionally
which saw him through the Appeal Court, where he lost, and to the Supreme
Court in Abuja, which declared him as the suitable candidate who ought to
occupy the Brick House in Port Harcourt.
Having come into power by the Supreme Court ruling, Amaechi considered it
as a duty, responsibility and obligation to protect the interest of Rivers
State people and not the parochial and avaricious interest of a few
godfathers who wanted to frustrate his governorship bid. In this regard,
he has not failed his people though there may be some contrary opinions.
With the experience he garnered as former Speaker of Rivers State House of
Assembly, for about 8years, Amaechi knew virtually all the challenges
staring his state in the face to wit; insecurity, deplorable healthcare
system, poor roads, deficient waste management, abysmal education sector,
poor revenue generation and so. These were the legacies left behind which
he inherited from his predecessors as he mounted the mantle of rulership.
Those who have sincere, honest and frank opinion of the present
administration, be it the ordinary man on the street, the elite,
opposition party members and market women will agree that Amaechi has
performed creditably well in the aforementioned challenges just within a
period of two years. In the words of one Chief .Eze.C.Eze, a political
analyst: “In Dr Odili’s eight years at the helms of affairs in the
state, only about thirty roads were attended to. However, within two years
of Amaechi’s administration a conservative total of about 245 roads are
under construction in various parts of the State. Even with Odili’s
antecedents as a Medical Doctor, the Health Sector of the state was
moribund, with very few medical establishments given attention during his
tenure. Whilst over 150 model Health centres, three major Health
Institutions (Delta, Mega Hospital and Mother and Child Care etc) are
currently under construction glaringly testify to Amaechi’s commitment to bringing sanity to the Health sector. During
Odili’s infamous regime, no PPP Project was initiated, but Amaechi’s
regime in its two years of existence, has recorded at least four major
PPP initiative projects in the State - (The International Market, Mother
and Child Hospital, Mega Hospital and the Silver Bird Cinema)”.
With these achievements, Amaechi has not considered it expedient to invite
President Umar Musa Yar’Adua to commission the projects, knowing full
well how much it will cost the state to host the President. This may to
some extent buttress the depiction of Amaechi by some as one who is
frugal, miserly inclined and parsimonious with state funds.
This is a complete departure from the regime of Odili who made it a duty
that for every three months Obasanjo pays a jamboree state visit to the
state to commission uncompleted or non-functional projects or the other
in order to squander state fund on the ex-president which should have
been used to better the lots of Rivers’ people.
Amaechi may be waiting for the right time when the ovation or encomium
poured on him in regard to his landmark developmental projects is loudest
before he can invite President Yar’ Adua to come and commission the
projects.
Though without known godfather, to settle with state funds, to the
detriment of Rivers State people and in connection to Amaechi’s
commendable strides, with particular reference to massive construction of
roads, Urban Renewal, employment, etc all need to be said is, ride on the
Godfatherless Governor but let not commendations becloud your
determination to turn around positively the fortunes of Rivers State.
Nwaororgu Faustinus Chilee is Scio-political commentator writes in from
Igboeche, Rivers State, Port Harcourt.
