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".....And I will support him [Obi] because our goal is to see that Anambra moves forward because we have suffered enough", Dr. Andy Uba, Vanguard News.

 

Indeed, I have been reluctant to comment on the now resolved situation in Anambra state. The reasons, of which had to do with what I believe the problem was-- the trait of a people suffering from a pseudo federal system.

 

{mosgoogle}I was convinced beyond all reasonable doubt and still feel the same today that the principal players in the long drawn Anambra political impasse: Messrs Mbadinuju, Ngige, Obi and Uba can not be blamed for all that happened. Though, extravagant emotional statements have continuously been made faulting one or the other of the quartet, one of which saw Dr. Chris Ngige heavily vilified and later beatified.

 

I have to make It clear, that their political travails underscored the danger that is a defacto unitary system of government, and a faulty electoral process. It must be emphasized that a strong political center that wields absolute power, will malign regional political structures, and further decimate its political aspirations. A quick comparison can be drawn with the defunct Politburo of the Soviet era; whose failure exposed the malaise of a power-packed center.

 

The victory of Peter Obi, much as it is highly welcomed, could open a new vista If Anambra leaders fail to work together. A failure to do so may see them contend with the high wire politics at the federal level before accomplishing any dream project, such as that of an  Airport. It is sad, but this is where all the citizens of the state would have to harness their individual political out-reach, irrespective of party allegiance.

 

 Examples are already abound in Igboland of abandoned projects, some of whose problems have to do with the uncooperative manner of the federal government. The Onitsha River port complex has since 1980 been abandoned. The Enugu Airport is yet to be fully functional as an International Airport. The Owerri Airport built with communal effort took years to have the nod of the federal government to get operational. Upon that, its technical facilities are not something to write home about.

 

 The revamped interest in the Anambra Airport project at Oba has got many minds elated. This is more so because the status of business in Onitsha and Nnewi sequel to the civil war, has not moved beyond its pristine stage--faring goods and people by buses on very bad roads. The projected benefits of the Cargo Airport cannot be quantified, as the existing high volume of commerce and industry in the state will prop its earnings.

 

There is no doubt that the recent events in Anambra state have altered certain political equations. The out-gone administration of Dr. Andy Uba had made the Airport project her focal point, and to which we learnt an Israeli multinational company would commence the construction July 2007. Politics or not, It was a good news.

 

Most probably, It was in this line of thought that the Ohaneze President, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, while welcoming the verdict of the nation's supreme court, still urged Dr. Andy Uba not to shy away from the problems confronting Anambra state. Dr. Ikedife may have borne in mind the nature of the power-packed center politics of Nigeria, and the influence Dr. Uba wields in the ruling PDP. To him, Andy's influence would bring benefits to Anambra people, in sync with the Peter Obi led APGA government.

 

While It is possible for the APGA government to build the basic Airport infrastructure, acquiring necessary equipments and operational permit could be politicised, and may turn out a "do-or-die" affair with the ruling PDP. Reminiscent of the siege that was the last eight years in the state.

 

In retrospect, Dr. Uba's immediate call on his followers to support Mr Obi mirrored the great equanimity with which he accepted the verdict of the nation's supreme court. The call on his supporters further exhibited the cool demeanor and the persona behind the man. 

 

It would be right to say that the triumph of the judiciary in Nigeria was just one step in the right direction. But the great moment in Nigeria's march towards democracy will arrive when the nation is restructured to a practical federal system. A time when power is devolved to the existing states, or the conversion of the current  geopolitical zones to federating units.

 

As Igboland struggles to meet up with the rest of Nigeria in federal-aided infrastructural development, Anambra state politicians must think Bi-partisan, must close ranks in order to attract the much eluded federal attention, especially in opening their skies. 

 

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