Anambra Gubernatorial Elections
As a person of Anambra origin, I thought I will weigh in on the current campaign to elect a governor for Anambra state to replace the outgoing Governor Willie Obiano. Governor Obiano’s stewardship does have some successes but has been marred by some of his personal characteristics which I will not go into since I cannot verify the validity of the information being proffered against him.
Typically, I do not wade into state politics. For whatever reason, my political interest had always been at the national level. However, and given the critical juncture we find ourselves, I am tempted to wade into the state and local elections and lend my voice to ensure that we continue to perpetuate good governance by electing a person who will move Anambra forward. Furthermore, with the security challenges now facing the entire eastern region, we need someone with lots of humility, patience, and political savvy to navigate our state through these trying times. Granted there are a lot of heavy hitters in the arena and clamoring to be the chosen one to take over the reins of Anambra state, but the question remains, what has these heavy hitters done for the state or the country? We often sing their praises and naively give them our votes just for them to act like the demi-gods that they purport to be and take advantage of our trust and naivety. That must stop!
My people, there is a total lack of leadership in Igbo land. The vacuum created by this lack of leadership has left Umu Igbo youth wondering in the wilderness like the Israelites did when Moses went up to the mountain to obtain the ten commandments. Some of these persons currently vying to govern Anambra have been in the troughs of government all along but have not made any discernable contribution to the progress of Anambra. Hence the reason our youth have opted instead to follow an absentee leaders and wreaking havoc in our region. When will we learn? These persons, some currently holding political offices have not offered one iota of progress to our people, why do we believe they will help us as the state governor? We got to be smarter than that my people. We must recognize that Leadership has alluded the Igbos for some time now and it is about time we begin to cultivate our own leaders even if we must grow them from someone with no visibility into the kind of leader, we will want to shepherd our affairs. This needs to happen if we intend to fend off the current marginalization of Umu Igbo. We need to look somewhere else since all our effort at giving our mandate to our current crop of leaders has produce the same thing…no progress. We must begin anew and create our own reality. We must work to change this narrative from war, war, war to build, build, build. The Anambra Igbos are up to the challenge. We are the same people who built thriving economies with only twenty Nigerian pounds issued after the civil war. We are the same group of folks who hold sway of not only the middle class, but commerce in Nigeria. My people, where is our pride! Where are those characteristics that made us uniquely Igbo and Anambra? That trait that is responsible for our successes all over the world? That has so endeared us unto others that even our enemies come to us for help when they are jammed up? I want that Igbo back! Just like the song by Peter Tosh, we the Igbos need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves up, and start all over. Do not let anyone convince you that marginalization has ever slowed or stopped the Igbo enthusiasm, innovation and tenacity. Instead, we often use difficult situations as motivation to showcase our Igbo smarts by building businesses, creating wealth, even if with only twenty Nigerian pounds. We simple apply “IGBO SENSE” and do what we must do to overachieve and succeed.
This piece is for all Anambra men and women to look critically at the candidacy of Chief George Moghalu who is running to become the next Governor of Anambra State. Chief Moghalu has shown himself to be very humble, educated, savvy and politically astute. As Director General for the Inland Waterways, he has singlehandedly made sure that the Onitsha seaport became a reality. Do you know how much money Igbo importers would save just for the ability to route their containers to Ala Igbo? Do you realize how much jobs this move for Onitsha port alone will create in Anambra state? Talk about saving Umu Igbo the headache of having to go to Lagos and clear their goods, and then pay again to transports those goods and services to the east? All these savings and jobs will benefit the local traders who will see increased patronage due to folks having money to spend. Let me remind everyone that Chief Moghalu was able to accomplish all these while working within the current central government. Talk about political savvy! This young man possesses a complete and total understanding of the workings of the Nigerian political environment and the Igbo psyche. We must take a good look at him.
I got to know Chief Moghalu while watching a video of his numerous interviews. He was responding to a question regarding his candidacy for the governorship of Anambra. What was most impressive was how well he articulated the challenges facing our state and nation today while succinctly conveying how he will deal with such challenges. There were no complexities with his delivery, and the average citizens or layperson would have no problem deciphering his intent. All through this interview, his demeanor was devoid of the normal political rhetoric and pomposity typical of Nigerian politicians. I was determined to learn more about this individual who appeared to be the antithesis of our usual political aspirants. My search led me to his Facebook where I left a message. To my surprise, Chief Moghalu responded to my chat himself. He apologized for taking too long to respond and directed me to work with one Mr. Alex Anaso, the leader of Partners for Good Governance, a very good grassroots group that is active in Anambra politics.
A few weeks later, I was contacted by a good friend Azubuike Ikejiani, a US based Pharmacist and Nigerian entrepreneur. He was inquiring if I knew Chief George Moghalu. We talked about all we knew about him and just like me, Chief Moghalu had impressed him as well. It was Pharmacist Ikejiani who decided to form the “Moghalu Partners USA.” In fact, that group was formed without the consent of Chief George Moghalu. Not one to engage in half-baked plans, both Pharmacist Ikejiani and myself decided to invite Chief Moghalu one more time to speak with us as the Moghalu Partners USA regarding his plans. Also, we wanted an opportunity to be able to question him ourselves and see how he will handle our line of questioning. Despite his grueling campaign schedule, he obliged us and suffice to say that we were all impressed with his responses to our questions which covered everything from security to the Anambra economy.
As is typical with campaign organizations in the US, we asked Chief Moghalu how he wanted the group to help him with his campaign, and his response was classic. He simply asked for our prayers and that we all should endeavor to look over his plans and if we believe in it, to help him disseminate said information to our peers both at home and in diaspora. He did not ask for money, or any favors, just to share his campaign plans and only if we believed in it. We were all sold!
Several months went by and then I was once again informed that Chief Moghalu will be speaking to Anambra State Association Worldwide (ASA-Worldwide), a forum comprising of Anambra citizens from all over the world. I was totally impressed as to how many people from all over the world, who were members of this organization, called in to listen to Chief George Moghalu articulate his plans for Anambra. Despite initial technical difficulties related to Nigerian “network” issues Chief Moghalu finally connected to the zoom call. Consistent with ASA-Worldwide rules of order, Chief Moghalu was presented with four questions. And again, with much humility, he provided very stellar and clear responses to all the four questions. In fact, in their thank you letter, the Secretary General of ASA-Worldwide said and I quote “after listening to your presentation and your blueprint for sustainable development in our home state, you must know that we are breathing a collective sigh of relief about the future of the light of the nation.” Such is the quality of this man Chief George Moghalu.
To find good, we must embrace goodness. I believe that Chief George Moghalu represents the kind of goodness that we seek. And that he will be that catalyst that will catapult Anambra to new heights as the beacon of light for Nigeria. Rather than promise to make Anambra another Dubai, he simply stressed creating an enabling environment and a level playing field where all Anambra citizens could play, on their own fields and at their own pace. He is fully aware that the average Anambra man or woman does not need a handout, just an enabling environment. Responding on the matter of free education for all, Chief Moghalu said that he will support free primary education but not to the university level because the State cannot sustain it. On free healthcare for all, again, he truthfully responded that whereas the state could afford and sustain free healthcare for the incredibly young up to five years and our senior citizens of sixty-five years and over, we do not have the resource to provide free healthcare for all. He further stated that the current federal allocation and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is simply not enough for such ambitious undertaking, which will include upgrading all our medical facilities as well. Which politician will be this truthful with such information?
I know we are still at the primary stages of the Anambra gubernatorial campaign; however, it is incumbent on us to find good and promote it. All I am asking is for you all to look up Chief George Moghalu, get to know him, study his agenda and if you like what you see, help him to spread the message. Anambra needs change and that change begins with whatever choice we make come November 6, 2021.
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