The laboratory called Anambra state

The Anambra laboratory like Britain during the world wars, took most of the heat of the civil wars—the complete pacification of Onitsha—but unlike Britain, recovered on time to provide purposeful leadership in the economic recovery of the peoples of the Eastern region. This is attested to by the fact that, it is the only state in Nigeria that boast two economically viable cities built entirely on the strength of it people. This is discounting the minor ones and a third—Awka— been built under the watch of the government. It is also, a state that is not locked down with the celebration of heroes, past; as it at every turn in the nation’s chequered history, throws up extraordinary individual—either for good or otherwise—who replaces, the last.

In this present democratic dispensation, it has produced stars and life savers like Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the man, who as head of the nation’s apex bank, helped in crafting the document—policy support instrument— as well as saved adequate cash, that made it possible for the country to exit it indebtedness to foreign financial institutions. It was also he, who, seeing far ahead of his peers, led a then vilified, pro-consolidation team, into cooking policies that kept the nation’s economy, ahead of trouble— global financial crisis— that would have wiped it out. This is not forgetting, micro finance banking, AFC and many more that he left in the oven, for his successor to tidy up. There is also Prof. Dora Akunyili, the lady that has received more credible international awards than all the leaders of the country, put together. Not forgetting, Madam due process, Oby Ezekwesili, the lady, who, in order to actively lead the solid mineral ministry, had to embark on self re-education on the subject of solid mineral mining, through active research.

But been the laboratory that it is, the state, has also, not failed to throw up individuals whose public conduct has been without the censorship of discretion. People, who, been passable at their business pursuit and bored with the creation and editing of chieftaincy titles and it conferment on self through surrogate traditional rulers, seek compensating interest in the control of the state, not minding the preferences of the local folks. These categories of persons have since the return of the present democratic dispensation been aligning themselves with the personal interest of those at the centre as a means of accessing the necessary governmental powers needed for the actualization of this singular objective.

The first of such oddities to be shunned out of the Anambra laboratory in the present democratic dispensation was the never ending word war between the then, governor, Dr. Mbadinuju and his political and economic god father, Sir Emeka Offor. While the word exchange and occasional clash between the supporters of both parties was going on, a more rascally robotic godfather—Chris Uba-- was been silently assembled in the state laboratory under the supervision of Obasanjo’s wordless but deadly third term knight errant, Dr. Andy Uba.

When finally he was unleashed on the state with Ngige drafted in as governor, he set about, like others before him, appropriating governance in the state. Off course, Ngige objected and was kidnapped—from whence the militants in the Niger Delta copied their past time— and a ransom of his office, by way of resignation, demanded for his release. Atiku, an outsider in the whole affairs however the highest authority available at the time of the happenings, hurriedly and apparently, without consulting his boss, ordered his rescue. In place of the failed kidnapped attempt, came the first attempt at state of emergency declaration within the current democratic space for reasons of simulated breakdown of law and order by the Chris Uba led thugs.

Chris Uba confusion and embarrassing failure at removing Chris Ngige was mitigated by Mr. Peter Obi; who had been in court challenging the declaration of Ngige as the governor of the state, when the court declared him the lawfully elected governor of the state. But his candidacy never received the endorsement of those who had assumed the role of deciders of the political fate of indigenes of the state however basing their calculations on the normal electoral calendar which would have seen him spend less than two years as governor, they had temporarily recalled their troops. This was not to be as he went back to court to seek a four year term. Provoked by his temerity, the power holders went back to the laboratory to cook up something more spectacular. This time, an impeachment; that was implemented at an unholy hour.

With the impeachment bungled and the court once more, returning Obi to power, the man behind the Chris Uba mask felt it was time he personally took charge of situations. Enter, Andy Uba. This, Chris found disagreeable and loudly said so. He was promptly shaken back to reality. Andy immediately declared for the governorship of the state and was written into office by INEC. Two weeks after his swearing- in, the Obi’s case was decided and he lost his job. By then, his power source Obasanjo had vacated office. But those two weeks were enough to whet the appetite of Andy for a return. This needed an overhaul of his party, PDP structure in the state and the destabilization of the government in the state. While that of recreating the party in his image and likeness has not been easy due to the large army of powerful personality in the party who were sidestepped for him during Obasanjo’s reign, who have largely massed together to confront a common enemy; his design for distracting the state has faired no better with the absence of the ready support of the presidency.

With Obi chalking up credits with the people for visible developmental strides across the length and breath of the state, the Anambra laboratory has been finding it difficulty to introduce a new template for unseating a performing governor without the quarterbacking of the President but all the same making frantic efforts with the state governorship election fast approaching. One of such efforts amongst many failed ones was the recent attempt to tar him with the colours of an embezzler of public fund in the crudest of methods in this digital age. They had remixed a story pertaining to the police and cash discovery, to read that he, a former chairman of a bank, now wanted to exercise his right to defraud the state, like they would have done if the opportunity had avail itself.

The story itself is as laughable as it is absurd. Far less intelligent state chief executives routinely, ferret, their state resources, not just outside their state but the country without anybody been wiser; But in Anambra laboratory, that has failed since the days of Mbadinuju to conduct local government elections due to fears of its fallout been used as an excuse to declare a state of emergency, it is plausible; particularly for those of them more cleaver with the destructive use of their hands, than brain.

The laboratory is still functional and very soon would, as usual, throw up another set of the good, the bad and the ugly to replace the current gladiators.

Ilobi Austin hideouts includes: www.twitter.com, www.facebook.com www.nigeriavillagesquare.com and www.vibratingaustin.blogspot.com