It is now apparent, indeed very apparent to any serious observer of Nigerian affairs that present day democracy is failing or has failed depending on what side of the divide one is operating from. Body of evidence on the ground says it all; hence I will not dwell further on this statement of fact.

Experts of, whom there are many in Nigeria are proffering divergent opinions as why this is so, despite a perceived promising start to the 4^th Republic: from corruption, to ethnic divide, to sectarian differences, to military intervention in politics. Yes, all these have a role to play, it is a culmination of all these factors that are leading to the collapse of the 4^th republic to SOME EXTENT. I have emphasized SOME EXTENT for these factors are not the main cause of present day problems in Nigeria. The main cause of the problem is that most of the leaders are not prepared, not cerebrally equipped for the high offices they are now occupying. They found themselves there by pure chance, by non-quantitative speculation, by a poke in the dark and that is why besides eroding the treasuries of their respective ministries, states or parastatals, they have nothing to offer. That is why a state governor will go to the press to mouth off that carrying out statutory functions like paying staff salaries or equipping hospitals is an achievement. That is why a state governor will spend state resources in advertorials to say that paying contributory pensions to pensioners or supplying photo-copying machines to civil servants is an achievement.

That is why Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state Nigeria is telling the whole world that not clearing refuse in his state is an achievement. That is why he is equally shouting to high heavens that not providing portable drinking water to his state is an achievement. That is why failure of health-care provision in his state is an achievement. That is why failure to tackle the menace caused by erosion in his state is an achievement. And that is why not tarring the roads in my (our) neighbourhood is a massive achievement on his side. That is why failure of his political party, APGA in recent polls is an achievement.

Readers, asking – where am I coming from? This is where I am coming from and getting to. According to an article in ThisDay newspaper of May 20, 2009 titled: “Obi – God And Anambra People Will Determine My Fate.” Which, has not been refuted by Governor Obi and his camp to date, the Governor was quoted thus in the said publication:

“Last year the State House of Assembly approved for me to borrow 12.8 billion in the budget of 2008. When I presented the budget of 2009 we remained the only state within our sub-region without a debt of one kobo to the banks. Rather, we closed the year with over N10 billion in credit”.

Two serious flaws bordering on imbecility on the part of Governor Obi emanates from the above statement credited to him. These flaws lend credence to my assertion earlier on in this article that the principal reason for the failings (and failure) of the 4^th Republic is due to the fact: “that most of the leaders are not prepared, not cerebrally equipped for the high offices they are now occupying.”

The first flaw being his budget impasse with members of the state house of assembly in approving his budget for the fiscal year 2008 in, which all hell was let loose and the state ground to a still, for amongst other things, the honourable members of the house rejection of his request for a loan of 12.8 billion naira, from perhaps, his much beloved Fidelity Bank, when he could not account for what projects the loan was for and its repayment schedule. After blackmailing and intimidating all and sundry, the loan was approved for him only for Governor Obi to now tell the whole world that; after all, he did not need the loan. So why did he request for it and for what project(s) in the first place? This indicates that he does not understand the rudiments of a budgetary process, period. Because he is not cerebrally equipped for the office he is occupying at present.

The second flaw in his statement above; that he closed the 2008 fiscal year with 10 billion naira in credit, for a Nigerian state, is the hallmark of an economic and political cretin. Indigenes of Anambra state have no access to portable drinking water, functional refuse disposal is non existent, roads are in parlous conditions state-wide (please visit my home-town, Ukpor), the menace of erosion has destroyed some towns like Nanka and Oko to name a few, the state university has no website or electricity, healthcare workers went on strike with its attendant consequences on the citizenry due to non payment of allowances. The to-do list in the state is a mile long and Governor Obi in his infinite wisdom is boasting that due to his prudent management of resources that Okeke, Okafor, Okonkwo and Okoro should be drinking Typhoid infested water in 21^st Century Nigeria. That his principal city, Onitsha and his state capital, Awka should remain the dirtiest cities in Nigeria. That the roads in my beloved home town, Ukpor shall remain parlous. That Anambra state should remain undeveloped.

The essence of good and responsible leadership is to provide a conducive environment for the citizenry and not to return 10 billion naira to the treasury (If that is true anyway). Would it not have been ideal for Governor Obi rather than return the 10 billion naira to the treasury to use the money to better his state; the reason he was elected in the first instance. I do not see any sense in this action of his, when lots needs to be done in Anambra state like providing portable drinking water for a start (portable drinking water does not exist anywhere in the state) or tarring all the roads in my beloved home-town, Ukpor. Hence the title of this article.

Robot  # 1 | 27.05.2009 02:10

The second flaw in his statement above; that he closed the 2008 fiscal year with 10 billion naira in credit, for a Nigerian state, is the hallmark of an economic and political cretin....Read the full article.

award  # 2 | 27.05.2009 03:57

This Chidi Anyaeche kind of human being, abi u no get any life? I believe in constructive criticism; not this kind of malice and bad belly you constantly spew against Peter Obi. Have you ever seen anything good in Mr. Obi's administration? Is there anything Peter of Anambra State is competent of? Listen mate, we know where you are coming from; and we know where you are heading for. Whichever doomed way you have chosen, don't allow your personal interest to becloud the relevant issues. Just go and learn how to purge yourself of this unwarranted hatred you habour against Mr. Obi Go get a life Anyaeche! PS: This is my independent thought

Chidi Anyaeche  # 3 | 27.05.2009 05:08

Award or whatever I am not sure you even understood the contents of the article, you goat.

Law Mefor  # 4 | 27.05.2009 05:27

I totally agree that Peter Obi is inept and bereft of any change idea that will endure. Like the rest of the Nigerian leaders (with the exception of one or two like Fashola or so ), he is suffering from ‘egolalia’, the messianic syndrome that Obj also suffered from that led him into leading Nigeria back to the woods – the second time. Yet, I do not believe that either of the two Peter that prides himself as 'Okwute Ndigbo' ( the cornerstone of Igboland) or Obj. – or any of the the rest – is an imbecile like the writer called Peter Obi. I think that the assessment is rather too harsh. Law Mefor

agbajo owo  # 5 | 27.05.2009 06:29

=Chidi Anyaeche;359098>Award or whatever I am not sure you even understood the contents of the article, you goat. There is nothing to understand in the article or about you. Your response above speaks volume about your personality. It is because of your kind that Nigeria has reached this level.

i-go-better  # 6 | 27.05.2009 07:23

If he used the N10billion for any of the projects you listed above and claimed no MONEY IS LEFT in the treasury, you would have called him names worst than the ones you gave him above. If he had taken the loan as approved, you would have taken him to the launderette. Peter Obi does not need to perform wonders in Anambra State, he already has an indelible place in the emancipation history of Anambra State in particular and the whole country in general from political brigandage, renegade godfatherism, political do-or-die, political cultism, gangsterism, etc. Nelson Mandela, the world most revered African alive today did not perform any economic miracle for South African. Infact, it is difficult to point at any significant economic achievement ascribable to him as President. It is the symbolism of him as the encapsulation of the fight against the evil of apartheid and that is similar to what Peter Obi represents in Nigerian context. It would be stupid of Peter Obi to go for 2nd term with the evil masquerade, Iwu INEC and all its paraphernalia still intact. Together with your type and the Ubas would ofcourse shame Ekiti State electoral magic with a touch of Okija unbelievabilty to produce a landslide victory for your much more cerebral "DR". If you love that State as you claim, would you wish a party that has never known peace since its formation in Anambra State and presently fractioned into several uncompromising godfather tribes to take control of the State? I am not interested in any of the so-called parties but I know the one that is Nigeria's enemy No1. I would say God forbid if I were you. However, I believe you are honourable a man enough to be entitled to your views and opinion.

Onowu1  # 7 | 27.05.2009 08:43

Chidi Anyaeche, members of this forum know that you and people like you will ever get it in Nigerian politics. If Peter Obi who I think was born and bred in Onitsha can not clean or organise Onitsha, do you think Onitsha has more fundamental problems like overpopulation, disrecard of any forms or shape of city characteristics? How many solutions has you profered. Or just crying wolf from your London apartment. Are you old enough to remember the clash of Jim's Vangaurd(Nwaobodo's tugs) and Ikemba Fronts of NPN at your town? Take the link below and join your Republican side of the American political divide that will wish to paint an Angel black. The Republicans have known for weeks that Sotomayor was at the top of Obama's list. They've had weeks to prepare their "attack," and they still can't get it together. There's a real shocker. :rant::rant::rant:

Bill Carson  # 8 | 27.05.2009 09:35

=Onowu1;359141>Chidi Anyaeche, members of this forum know that you and people like you will ever get it in Nigerian politics. If Peter Obi who I think was born and bred in Onitsha can not clean or organise Onitsha, do you think Onitsha has more fundamental problems like overpopulation, disrecard of any forms or shape of city characteristics? How many solutions has you profered. Or just crying wolf from your London apartment. Are you old enough to remember the clash of Jim's Vangaurd(Nwaobodo's tugs) and Ikemba Fronts of NPN at your town?Take the link below and join your Republican side of the American political divide that will wish to paint an Angel black. The Republicans have known for weeks that Sotomayor was at the top of Obama's list. They've had weeks to prepare their "attack," and they still can't get it together. There's a real shocker. :rant::rant::rant: That was the Bad old days “Ikemba Front” and the other fronts use to engage In classic battles…. I was In secondary school then and lost a relative In one of the Awka clashes. Thanks to Peter Obi the evil days of gangsters’ are behind us (I hope!). I hope you understand that “ONOWU” Is a strong name and you did all the necessary traditional stuff to appease the gods for adapting such a powerful name?

Onowu1  # 9 | 27.05.2009 10:10

I bet you!. When Ijere (The daddy of all masquered) arrive all the small noise makers (obele mogwu) must disappear! :clap::clap::clap: I am at work. Please do not get me started.

Bill Carson  # 10 | 27.05.2009 10:36

=Onowu1;359172>I bet you!. When Ijere (The daddy of all masquered) arrive all the small noise makers (obele mogwu) must disappear! :clap::clap::clap: I am at work. Please do not get me started. That Is my worry precisely……. Onowu Is not supposed to work and live abroad. What happens If your presence Is suddenly needed In your Village, will you tell them you are a modern “Onowu” or will you turn to spirit and get there In a split second? I think there should be a ban on our kits & kin abroad claiming some titles/roles In their village affairs (even with their fat $$$$). Cheers! Eze Afojulu.

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