Press Statement
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has again exposed himself to public ridicule, odium and contempt by his latest declaration that the incumbent governor of the state Chief Willie Obiano, had nothing to show for the mandate he was given by the people of the state.
Obi made the statement during an interactive session with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Nnewi North Local Government Area (L.G.A) where he said that most of the projects in the L.G.A had remained the way he left them since he left office.
It is shameful for Obi to be lying so openly and playing on the intelligence of the people of Anambra state.
Governor Obiano has not only exceedingly surpassed what he met on the ground by completing most of the existing projects, he has gone ahead to embark on very strategic projects.
Why did Obi not work for the governorship candidate of the PDP Obaze Oseloka when he was handing over despite the fact that Oseloka was his SSG? what has changed between then and now?
Governor Obi claimed he has no selfish interest in putting anyone into office but added that he resolved to fight bad governance. This is laughable because the real crux of the matter is not bad governance but the proceeds of godfatherism which Governor Obiano has refused to pay.
This is the reason for Obi’s sudden negative turn against Governor Obiano. The Governor’s refusal to pay the 7 billion naira he demanded which he , Obi claimed to have expended on his election is the bone of contention.
This is the financial disagreement which is fueling this sudden bad blood.
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah confirmed this during a recent interview and challenged Obi to a public debate.
Obiano has said he would not pay and that there is no room for godfatherism in Anambra.
For Governor Obiano the task of uplifting the people of Anambra through popular projects and policies is his only Godfather and what would speak for him in November.
He cannot subscribe to servicing godfatherism as it hampers development.
Chief Obiano is not the first person to confront godfathrism as Senator Ngige had gone through that path before. He had said he was being requested to part with as much as half of the allocation of the state to his Godfather.
It is reprehensible that the former Governor is speaking like this because one is forced to recall how vehement he was when he was pushing for Chief Obiano to emerge as Governor.
In 2013 he fought everyone, insulted all those who opposed him and abandoned all other aspirants at home and went abroad to get Chief Obiano who was an outstanding technocrat based in the US after retiring from the bank.
He thereafter traversed the length and breadth of the state telling people of the sterling qualities of Chief Obiano.
After few years he is now telling us the opposite. Was he insane or under the influence of alcohol when he was telling the whole world then that Obiano was the best man for the job?
If one may ask what has changed between then and now when he described Obiano as the best candidate amongst all the aspirants. He said he was a man of character going by his antecedents. So one is surprised by his sudden reversal.
He is indeed talking from the two sides of his mouth and it is shameful for him to descended to that level.
Obi was a board member and Director of the Bank where Obiano worked and retired. If Obiano was not a good professional and a competent administrator as well as a good manager of resources could he have risen to the apex of the bank as the Executive Director of the bank?
Obi cannot keep on deceiving the people. Obiano has performed excellently, and the people of Anambra State will surly cast their votes for him come November 18th, 2017 Governorship Election.
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PRINCE OLIVER OKPALA
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications to Governor of Anambra State.
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Hon Ibeneme Chika (Odaa Opuo)
Special Assistant to the Anambra State Governor on Media & Image Management.
Email: chika.ibeneme@yahoo.com
