From Ojieva Ehiosun, Benin
Dr. Edozie Aroh is former commissioner for Youths and Sports in the immediate past government of Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra State.
In this interview, he speaks about governance in the state, the forthcoming November 18 gubernatorial election, and what is required of any person desirous of serving the state among others.
You served in the administration of Mr. Peter Obi and Governor Willie Obiano respectively. Could you share some memories of those days with us?
Yes, I served in the government of Mr. Peter Obi and briefly in that of Willie Obiano. When all deductions are made and on a balance of scale, the difference is unimaginably clear. He came into government fully made and prepared for the job. His successor owes him a verdict of excellence. He wanted the best for Anambra State; he went for the best in his choice of those that would work with him and he pushed everybody so hard that he attained the height no other state governor has attained since the creation of Anambra State.
In all honesty, the moment Obi left governance in Anambra; it lost steam, awe and respect. It is not the fault of the man that is there now, but the people of Anambra State appear, rightly or wrongly, to be at home with Obi’s style of leadership.
What would you say about the choice of Peter Obi’s successor?
That question, which was pertinent about three years ago, is no longer relevant today. Interestingly, in a recent Interview on Channels Television, Willie Obiano told the world that it was not Peter Obi that brought him out. Our present concern should be how to move the state forward. As the election draws near, we should be focused on how to elect a governor that understands and appreciates what governance is all about and is ready and committed to the development of Anambra State as Peter Obi was.
What is your opinion of the candidates contesting the forth-coming election in the state?
All the candidates, including the incumbent, Willie Obiano of APGA, Mr. Oseloka Obaze of PDP, Mr. Tony Nwoye of APC, and Chief Osita Chidoka, are all qualified since all of them met the relevant requirements of the Nigerian Constitution. But Anambra people are all behind Mr. Oseloka Obaze not for what he promises to do, but for what he is.
The choice of the party in bringing Mr. Obaze is purely the hand work of God. Among all the PDP aspirants, he is the best, and the only one that has the political will power to muscle out APGA. Whether you believe it or not, PDP still remains one of the best political parties in Nigeria no matter what people say about the previous administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Obaze is a man that justifies the saying that ‘the test of the pudding is in the eating’. Among Anambra people, he is known and seen as a man with finesse; knowledgeably experienced, people-oriented, highly disciplined, and imbued with integrity and honour to be entrusted with the governance at any realm. Some say it because they hear others say so, but for people like me that have worked with him, I assure you that the best blessing Anambra State will have after over three years is the coming of Mr. Oseloka Obaze as governor. He is well-educated, widely-exposed, amicably disposed, at home with the needs of our people with sufficient International connections to ‘fix it’. Contented and hardworking, he has consistently been an asset to geo-entities, organizations and individuals he has worked or is associated with. He is a man of principle, who exhibits the highest sense of duty, professionalism and decorum at all times.
In fact, when he joined the administration of Mr. Peter Obi, many members of the Executive Council did not understand him initially, but steadily we came to respect him as we observed his pre-occupation with verve to render service to the people. Such was his rating that whenever the then Governor Peter Obi was to set up a committee, the entire Executives -even before the governor spoke – would exclaim: ‘Let OHO head it!’ Why? He is the kind of person that you give any assignment and be assured he will deliver even beyond expectations.
What is your advice to the good people of Anambra ahead of the election?
My advice to Ndi Anambra, is ‘the ides of march are come, … but not gone’. Those were the everlasting words of the literary poetic giant, William Shakespeare, ascribed to one of history’s Great Roman General, Julius Ceaser, on his way to the Capitol. For Anambrarians, 18th Nov, 2017 ides us in the face, it’s either we get it right this time or for generations to come, resign to fate.
But as the leader of the pack in the South- East all round calculations, it would be disastrous to fail a second time considering that the last four years have been a mirage. Posterity will never forgive us. I feel privileged and duty bound to introduce to us, for avoidance of doubt, one that cannot afford to fail us. Anambra masses need a man that has been tested for our trust at this critical political point.
A man of size and character: Educated in Arts, tutored in Christ-like nuances, schooled in humility, a servant of the masses, exposed to the western philosophy of civilization and enlightenment yet at home with our people and culture, trained in political sciences , worked and lived in virtually all parts of the globe, dogmatic in people oriented ideas, a practical solution provider, knowledgeably experienced in conflict resolution, conversant with the needs and aspirations of Ndi Anambra, an astute administrator with a knack for perfection. A man of immense integrity and honest, enraptured with the fear of God, non sectional and bold. Anambra people must come out en masse to support Oseloka Henry Obaze (OHO) to restore Anambra to her former glory.
There is an Igbo adage that says that ‘Iru oma adiro nma ima ula’. Our people are wiser today. Let us come out as a people to salvage Anambra from the ruins of the decadent of the outgoing regime.