Andy Uba And The Anambra State Government House

By Uche Nworah

Ndigbo have a saying that ‘agba lu aka na azo ani, onye ji ede ana akonye’, translated this simply means that in the Nigerian situation, the man with the might (in this instance resources and blessings of Aso Rock) will triumph against the ‘small frys’.

Andy Uba only recently became visible in Anambra politics having operated in the shadows from where he pulled the strings; he had previously relied on his younger brother, the erratic and uncouth Chris Uba to do the hatchet job for him and he got rich as a result, enjoying business patronage from the high and mighty. The younger Uba probably mistook his brother’s shadowy personality as a sign of weakness and attempted to exploit it, he began to dream of the ultimate political prize in the state backed by his agbero followers, who were quick at every point to dispense their own brand of justice – mayhem, lootings and killings.

 Andy Uba

Andy the smooth operator eventually put him in his place after realising what a huge political baggage he was. It only took the withdrawal of Chris Uba’s security detail and the denial of certain perks including access to Aso Rock to get him scampering for cover. Now Nigerians are wondering where Chris Uba is hiding having not heard from him since his disgrace and downfall. Chris Uba can not complain too much though over the way things have turned out for him, he made money as Andy Uba’s fall guy; he sure did have fun while it lasted and must be relishing those days when South East PDP members including the chiefs and PhD holders addressed him as leader, not bad for a kid that never went to university and a long way from his days as water boy at Author Eze’s New Haven Enugu residence.   

Now that Andy Uba has formally resigned from his position as President Olusegun Obasanjo’s special assistant on domestic affairs, it appears that the stage is now set for him to launch his gubernatorial campaign in Anambra state, an ambition that many believe is the root cause of all the crises in the state.  

How did he get here in the first place, and how did the Ubas (including Senator Ugochukwu Uba) rise to such political prominence within a short time having never been heard of in the state, and having never featured in Anambra state’s political equation prior to Andy’s involvement with Obasanjo and his consequent elevation to the position of an Aso Rock insider, and a core member of Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet?

Insiders say that the Ubas owe their political fortunes to Andy Uba whose reported ‘rehabilitation’ and ‘investment’ in Olusegun Obasanjo after his incarceration, at a time when Obasanjo reportedly had only 25 thousand naira in his bank account is the reason for their Aso rock connections. Another version is that Andy sponsored Obasanjo for medical treatment abroad and stood by him at a time when it seemed that Obasanjo was about to join his ancestors prematurely. We can only speculate and may never know the true facts, however what we know now is that Andy Uba is a very close confidante of the president and is rumoured to be Obasanjo’s right hand man helping to look after his business investments, a role that Otunba Fasawe was playing before his fall from ‘grace’.  

Now that it appears that the president will be vacating office in 2007 (supposedly), what better time to repay Andy for his loyalty and support. Just like IBB in his days, Obasanjo is inclined to install some of his loyalists and allies in different political positions. Dr. Osita Ogbu, his special adviser on economic matters already has his backing to take over as governor of Enugu state in 2007, likewise many others.  

The benefits of such a move for Obasanjo are quite obvious including the privilege of state receptions and access to political decision making, rather than just having unlimited access to state coffers. At over 70 years of age and with all his rumoured wealth, Obasanjo may no longer be doing this just for the money. He may have learnt a lesson or two from those before him who no longer enjoy political favours on the strategic imperative of maintaining a political lineage and dynasty.

The stage seems to be set then for Andy Uba to take over from Dame Virginia Etiaba in Anambra state in May 2007, baring any other surprises including premature impeachment from the hot-headed members of the Anambra state house of assembly. Ndi Anambra and indeed Nigerians would be fooling themselves if they pretend that they don’t already know what the scores would be. Andy Uba will get the PDP nomination and would go ahead to ‘win’ the state’s gubernatorial elections, a position and viewpoint made more tenable by the lack of serious contenders from the PDP and the other parties including APGA and ANPP who are all currently in states of political comatose.

Would the people vote for him? Yes and No, some will and some will not but Andy Uba will still go ahead and campaign in Anambra’s many villages and towns. He would give monetary and other material gifts to the traditional rulers and community leaders to endorse/rubber-stamp his candidacy, he would promise them cars, roads, schools, scholarships etc. Some may even get theirs during his visits. The market women, artisans and students would enjoy the whole Andy Uba road show, there would be plenty of rice on offer at the market squares and community centres on the days, and the elders would each go home with thighs of goats and bottles of Schnapps with some crisp naira notes to refill their snuff boxes in reminiscence of politics of the second republic.

Mothers, and young women (women’s wing) will compose songs and sing his praises, they will tie new bubas and Hollandis clothes with his smiling face imprinted on them. Andy Uba’s campaign would almost be a formality because the results of the elections would have been written long before the election day. The U.S/London/Lagos media axis would pour their venoms as usual; they would blow their grammar and incite the people to violence from the comforts of their homes, they would preach to the people to resist Andy Uba’s money but those down at the trenches would simply pick up what little crumbs that are falling from the master’s table and get on with their life.  

Even the opposition candidates from the other parties know the scores already and would have initiated their own damage limitations strategies by scaling down their election campaign expenses. Some of them would just be putting up appearances waiting for a phone call from Andy Uba’s camp which would be dangling carrots before them; abandon ship and cross over they would beckon, most would.

If he gets to add the title of the executive governor of Anambra state to his CV, what then should Andy Uba do with it? Should he stop there or should he go a step further and redeem himself and his family name by working for the people, just like Chris Ngige before him. Should he call a round-table aimed at finally moving Anambra state ahead? Although the cat is almost as good as in the bag, Andy Uba needs to engage Ndi Anambra more, he needs to talk to them and tell them his true motives and plans for the state. Maybe they would listen but in doing this, he should never allow Chris Uba (the fall guy) to be present in the arena of such consultations and meetings.

The gods would be watching Andy Uba closely, he is already a wealthy man, and he doesn’t need the state’s money that much. Opportunity is beckoning on him to turn Anambra state into one of the best states in Nigeria. Should he fail, that indeed would be the bigger tragedy, not that of his direct and indirect involvements in Anambra’s many crises in the past 4 years.

Our people indeed have short memories, we forget and forgive easily but if after 2011 Anambra state is still the cry baby of Nigerian states, then he would have failed and would be gravely excoriated, the Uba name may then be worthy of being struck off from the books and banished from the land.

Ndigbo say that ‘ta bu gbo’, hence some people bear the name Tagbo. This means that it is never too late to make a fresh start.

Opportunity beckons both for Ndi Anambra and for Andy Uba.

November 2006. info@uchenworah.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 Andy Uba And The Anambra State Government House By Uche Nworah Ndigbo have a sayi...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 07.11.2006 08:59

MrOneNaija  Villager

# 2 THE REHABILITATION OF ANDY UBA? My first impression after reading the commentary by Uche Nworah is that he seems more concerned with the rehabilitation - I don't know whether or not to call it moral or political - of Andy Ubah than he is concerned with the necessary recovery of Anambra after almost eight years of systematic, primitive and criminal orchestration of mayhem inflicted on the state and Nigeria in general by forces that are beholden to the likes of Andy Uba and his ally in crime, the leviathan of Aso Rock. And the futile attempt on the part of the author to draw a distinction between the Uba siblings - Andy and Chris - regarding their respective roles in the violence and general depravity which have been on display in Anambra since 1999 is quite troubling indeed. In many key respects, Andy Ubah can be said to be more sinister than his younger brother. While the latter may be considered a tough-talking tout willing to take to the mean streets of Nigeria's thuggery-infested politics, Andy Ubah, for his part, is seen as the one offering the intellectual/moral(?) prop that has been the sustaining fabric of much of the destruction one has witnessed in Anambra and probably much of Nigeria today. How then does one legitimately imagine that the aspirations of the people of Anambra in the next eight or so years should be tied to the perverse ambition of an individual in the mould of Andy Uba? If the Uba clan had really been interested in the development of Anambra, they would have opted for peace and tranquility. They would have favoured the rule of law over gangsterism and the brutal desecration of democracy. In the past seven years, havoc, mischief and impunity have been synonymous with the Ubas and their sponsor, the Butcher of Aso Rock (BOAR), otherwise known as Obasanjo. And to imply that there is no viable alternative in Anambra to the behemoth so erroneously referred to as the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is questionable. It almost reminds one of the PDP propaganda which claims that all the other political parties are in a "comatose" state and that those seeking elective offices outside the confines of the PDP's corrupt framework do not stand a chance. Well, at least in Anambra, APGA proved the poll-rigging PDP machinery wrong in 2003. It seems to me that in Anambra, in short in Nigeria, what we should rightly be concerned with is not a rehabilitation of the very individuals that have ruined their respective states and by extension the country in the last seven years. We should instead work toward the respect of the will of the people in future elections by not giving the impression that those who rig, cheat, organize mayhem against the citizenry can be allowed another decade or thereabouts in the vain hope that they will turn our collective fortunes around despite their sordid track record. Posted by MrOneNaija| 07.11.2006 10:45

docokwy  Villager

# 3 Nworah, Andy Uba is a conniving thief; a subtle impostor, in whose family history runs the gene of thuggery. Recently, he has added the appelations ''smuggler'' and illegal '' Ota farm tractor parts buyer'' to his inglorious names. Therefore, whatever you say, he does not deserve the Anambra governorship. And, if people like you are hell-bent on putting him there, when the fire begins to burn, as it sure would if he gets it, please make it an Anambra-only issue. Enough of this madness from Anambra which people like you often term Igbo problem. Igbo is far bigger than Anambrarians can ever imagine. Posted by docokwy| 07.11.2006 11:23

ELAWALO  Villager

# 4 Rehabilitation my foot! Mr Nworah can you clearly state that your article is not an attempt to launder Andy Uba’s image in this forum? Morally Andy Uba has no business occupying the Government House in Anambra state. If only on the basis of the recent money laundering allegations. It is a cry shame that this “Bandit” has emerged as a larger than life figure in the politics of this state. This only evidences the despicable levels of descent of civil institutions & human values. The thugs, urchins, bandits, incendiaries, confusionist’s, and their retinue, are reigning supreme in the land of the wise and knowledgeable – how come ? From Ibadan to Ado Ekiti to Akwa, imbeciles and %#%#%#%#%#s are talking; men of knowledge competence and wisdom are either hiding, licking boots or keeping silent ( maybe being wise - who knows?). Repeatedly we sigh Nigeria! The reasons why nothing works are not far fetched. Uche, I have enjoyed your posts in the past but this one… I reserve my comments but you could have sounded less patronising! At the very least habba ! Anambra Indigenes Say No Andy Uba and his Co horts ... !!!! Posted by ELAWALO| 07.11.2006 11:27

Zhul- qarnain  Villager

# 5 As for me, the difference between Chris Uba and Andy Uba is six and half a dozen. God save Anambra, God save Nigeria. Posted by Zhul- qarnain| 07.11.2006 11:28

MrOneNaija  Villager

# 6 STILL ON ANDY UBA... Dollar Smuggling Scandal Dazes Aso Rock Posted by admin on 2006/11/7 14:19:43 By Tony Orilade/Abuja TheNews Online The alleged money laundering scandal involving Dr. Andy Uba, the Special Assistant on Special Duties to President Olusegun Obasanjo has dazed Aso Rock, with President Obasanjo too shocked to personally utter a word about it. Only a puerile remark has come from an aide of the president. And the response even skirted the issues. The scandal also involves the President’s Temperance Farms, in Ota, Ogun State, with the laundered money used to buy some equipment for the farm. Dr. Uba was alleged to have smuggled into the United States the sum of $170,000 in 2003, using Obasanjo’s presidential jet. Efforts to speak with Remi Oyo, Special Assistant to the President on Media, proved futile as a lady who picked the call said: “madam is not around now.” She is said to be on the presidential tour of Asia. However, Mallam Uba Sani, Special Assistant to President Obasanjo on Public Affairs, told P.M.NEWS that “The presidency is studying the situation and has read the report just like every other person. We shall make our position known in due course.” The Political Adviser to President Obasanjo, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, said the allegation is coming from a “tendentious source” and as such “it is dismissible”. On his part, EFCC boss, Ribadu said his commission would wait for official legal request before it acts on the allegation. “There is no record in the report that the money in question belongs to the Nigerian government. But the important thing is that if the U.S. authorities inform us formally, we will take action,” Ribadu said. Andy was first accused of smuggling thousands of dollars into the United States of America on 22, September, 2003, via New York, when Obasanjo went to attend a function of the United Nations. The President’s farm in Ota, Ogun State is also under investigation because $45,487.28 (about N6.5 million) from the laundered cash was used to buy assorted farm equipment that were shipped to the Obasanjo Farms in Otta. The money, among others, was illegally deposited in tranches in various banks in Portland, Oregon by a lady, Miss Loretta Mabinton, acting as a surrogate for Uba. The lady was said to have performed similar runs in the past. On 27 September, 2006, Judge Marsh ordered that “based upon the Settlement Agreement filed on 31 August, 2006, between the United States and claimants Loretta Mabinton and Emmanuel Uba, and upon the records and files in this action, the court has subject matter jurisdiction action and that $26,000 in United States currency is forfeited to the US.” Gino, in a 21-page affidavit, said it was not the first time Mabinton would deposit such funds allegedly on behalf of Uba at Electra Federal Credit Union (EFCU). “Mabinton stated that she needed the sum of $170,000 to handle Uba’s personal/business affairs. Additionally, he asked her to buy a Mercedes Benz SL 500 car with some of the money and ship it to him in Nigeria. “Mabinton said she deposited $160,000 into a joint account with Uba at Electra Federal Credit Union and deposited $10,000 into her personal account,” Gino said in his affidavit. The defence by Aso Rock has at best been puerile as it has failed to address the issue of money laundering involving President Obasanjo’s farm, his jet and one of his top aides. In his reaction, Mallam Garba Shehu, Director of Media Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation told P.M.NEWS that “When God fights for you, you hold your peace. Nobody can claim to be above the Supreme Being, God Almighty. This battle is God’s battle. They were fighting Atiku with all the arsenal in the world just because he has a presidential ambition. They have failed. Now God has taken over the battle. “You know, there is a saying that in God’s judgement, there is no appeal. We are only watching how the drama will unfold.” Posted by MrOneNaija| 07.11.2006 12:01

BiafranPrincess  Villager

# 7 Uche Nworah, sorry to burst your bubble but Andy Uba will NEVER be governor of Anambra state. Watch and see the wahala that would come his way between now and april 2007. Ngige was the catalyst that broke our yoke of oppression under self centred fools like the Ubas Ekwuemes etc Our eyes are towards Canaan, we shall NEVER go back to Egypt again! Igbo Kwenu! Posted by BiafranPrincess| 07.11.2006 12:08

GirlWifanAttitude  Villager

# 8 Uche what nonsense is this? Dude, if you don’t have anything to write, I suggest you relax until a more insightful and creative piece comes to your mind. What? Are you now campaigning for Andy Uba? What kind of crazy nonsense is this? Have you received “Jara” from him or have you had dinner at his table :mad: ? Mazi Uche Nwora, because of this article you have been dethroned from the title of Ezeudo I of Enugwu-Ukwu, and the position will be given to another. So, the blood of those deaths at Okija means nothing to you that you still want that accursed family to rule you? What recompense has Chris Uba and the Uba family made concerning the incident at Okija and the bodies found there? You said it yourself that Chris Uba used to work (“works for”, you mean) for his brother, so now Chris has been caught, everybody wants to say he is the only one and his brother wants to pretend that he has nothing to do with him, eh. I’m sorry they are in it together, regardless of how pure you paint him. People are still pretending that that wickedness did not occur at Okija and is still not occurring (because that shrine is still there today for politicians), and some depraved souls are doing everything in their power to sweep it under the carpet. It will never be swept under regardless of what anyone does, the blood of Abel still cries out to his maker and vengeance still calls. Would the people vote for him? Yes and No, some will and some will not but Andy Uba will still go ahead and campaign in Anambra’s many villages and towns. He would give monetary and other material gifts to the traditional rulers and community leaders to endorse/rubber-stamp his candidacy, he would promise them cars, roads, schools, scholarships etc. Some may even get theirs during his visits. The market women, artisans and students would enjoy the whole Andy Uba road show, there would be plenty of rice on offer at the market squares and community centres on the days, and the elders would each go home with thighs of goats and bottles of Schnapps with some crisp naira notes to refill their snuff boxes in reminiscence of politics of the second republic. Yes, greedy unscrupulous people will go vote for Andy Uba for the crumbs and hand out they will receive from his table. That is why the land will remain cursed, because people are willing to forego their principles for a few crumbs of bread that falls from the devils table, forgo a future of peace and prosperity for a short time relief of miserly bags of rice and beans, Buba and a few yards of Hollandis. Mothers, and young women (women’s wing) will compose songs and sing his praises, they will tie new bubas and Hollandis clothes with his smiling face imprinted on them. Andy Uba’s campaign would almost be a formality because the results of the elections would have been written long before the election day. Yes, they will praise evil with opens eyes and their own will end up like the people that ended up in Okija. Any one or group that will vote for Andy Uba or support his leadership because of his miserly handouts or his ill-begotten wealth, while that Okija shrine still stands, and the blood of the helpless humans sacrificed in there still cries for restitution, will be accursed. Posted by GirlWifanAttitude| 07.11.2006 12:18

cdimkpa  Villager

# 9 Andy Uba's evolving politics in Anambra By Kodilinye Obiagwu THE travails in office and eventual exit of former governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, was largely with the input of his political godfather, Chief Chris Uba. Another Uba scion has been seriously linked to the tribulation of Ngige's successor, Mr. Peter Obi. The impeachment of Obi last week by the state House of Assembly was allegedly procured to ease the entry of Dr. Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba into the Government House as governor in 2007. However, an unscripted sub-plot may have found its way into the unfolding drama in Anambra less than a week after the impeachment of Obi, as Andy is currently at the centre of a money laundering charge in the United States (U.S.). Investigations by the United States security services put the amount involved at $170,000 (about N25 million). Andy allegedly laundered the money during a trip with President Olusegun Obasanjo. A U.S. District Court in Oregon has seized a portion of the fund. Uba is close to power as the President's Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs/Special Duties, reputedly the first man to see the President when he wakes up and the last man to see him before the President retires for the day. He also screens the President's telephone calls and visitors, and decides who talks or sees the President. Those conversant with the inner workings of Aso Rock say the President's ears belong to Andy, to "put it mildly." The Anambra State lawmakers exposed Andy more than any recent event has put him under spotlight. The lawmakers said they wanted the President to release Andy to the state and reward such a faithful servant by making him the next governor. They allegedly "implored" the President to allow them impeach Obi and make way for Andy. Andy, who has picked the nomination form for the 2007 polls, has denied any involvement in the travails of Obi. He said that he believed that the lawmakers were mature enough to conduct the legislative affairs of the state. He, however, added that he believed that his gubernatorial ambition would offer him an opportunity to bring to the state what he has learnt under Obasanjo. During the President's two-day visit to Awka, three weeks ago, Andy's supporters held aloft all kinds of banners and placards hailing him as the saviour of the state. His smiling face adorned posters and several T-shirts worn by commercial bike (okada) riders. His crowd of supporters thanked him in their placards for attracting a strong Federal Government presence to the state. The people literally hijacked the essence of the visit from Obi, whose bemused aides wondered why Andy was using his affinity to power to intimidate the people. Andy cannot said to be a public figure in Anambra in the mold of his brother Chris, at least. Throughout the travail of Ngige, Andy was in the background while his younger brother Chris, had the spotlight, marshalling the troops. However, after the battle and with Ngige out of the way, Chris started fancying his chances of being governor. He started mending fences, apologising to the people and restructuring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He toured the state with party men seeking reconciliation of interests and closing of ranks as he savoured the battle of wresting power from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). It was obvious that he wanted to be governor. But whatever plans he had hit the rocks when Andy's men started the campaign to dismiss Chris as an inappropriate gubernatorial material largely because of his educational background and "nuisance clout". The retort was derisive: "Chris to be governor when Andy is there?" It was clear to many Andy supporters that the only way the presidential aide could be governor was if he caged his younger brother and "put him in his place." Chris, leader of the PDP in the South-East, member, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, soon faded into the background as Andy started curtailing his influence in the PDP. And when Andy appointed his campaign team without the knowledge or input of Chris, it became clear that the battle line had been drawn. In former governors Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Ngige, the Uba brothers had common enemies and one indivisible political interest. But for the 2007 gubernatorial polls and the race for the Government House, the brothers have fallen apart. Their slogan may well be 'everyman to himself and God for us all.' They have become the Biblical Cain and Abel. The ease with which Chris lost his spot on the stage when Andy became involved has led to one conclusion: Chris was simply a puppet and Andy was the hidden puppeteer who pulled the strings. Since Andy was in Aso Rock and Chris after all does not have the President's ears more than his senior brother, it became trite to say that whatever Chris did and got away with had Andy's approval. Chris lost the structure of the PDP, his security and clout. At the stirrings of the 'coup' against Obi, long before the presidential visit, Chris quickly contacted some Anambra stakeholders in Lagos, among them some members of Ngige's camp, to alert them that the present problems in the state were the handiwork of Andy. "It was almost a plea," one of those contacted by Chris said. Chris, he noted, wanted a media war conducted in the manner of his battle for the soul of Anambra with Ngige. Chris had let it slip that he had largely shielded Andy from the dirty aspect of the quest for political power. But now the impeachment of Obi, which has Andy written all over it, confirms the extent of the influence of the man that could be governor of Anambra in 2007. Andy, like his brother Senator Ugochukwu Uba, worked doggedly for the actualisation of the botched third term bid. Andy, it was said, supervised alleged monetary overtures made to federal lawmakers to secure their support for the tenure elongation. The release of the money laundering report from the U.S. pointing to some financial dealings involving Andy might be the lid off the Pandora Box of Andy's finance. His wealth and he intends to sponsor his gubernatorial campaign is a matter of speculation. It is rumoured that he has made good use of his position to award and obtain contracts in the lucrative oil sector. The extent of his powers and the possibilities of what Andy can do near the president is wide. The story of how he 'appointed' the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Maurice Iwu has never been completely debunked. The relationship with Andy is one question Iwu has confronted at interview sessions and informal meetings. His answer is that Nigerians appointed him, because the Senate, which is made up of the representatives of Nigerians, screened him. However, Iwu has never denied that he and Andy are friends. And Andy is said to have brought his friend back from the United States of America and made him INEC chairman. Andy was alleged to have nominated Senator Adolphus Wabara as Senate President. Wabara is very close to the Uba family and is a frequent guest at the expansive residence of Chris in Enugu State. With the money laundering and the excitement following the impeachment of Obi, Andy might soon become a public figure, as only a true politician can cope with. Posted by cdimkpa| 07.11.2006 12:55

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 10 This write-up by Uche Nworah is a beautiful one, when viewed from a certain perspective. I like this part best: The U.S/London/Lagos media axis would pour their venoms as usual; they would blow their grammar and incite the people to violence from the comforts of their homes, they would preach to the people to resist Andy Uba’s money but those down at the trenches would simply pick up what little crumbs that are falling from the master’s table and get on with their life. Perhaps, Uche has decided to occupy the "trenches"? :biggrin: :biggrin: :D :lol: Imagine, if you will, Andy Uba (or members of his closest circle), reading and digesting the contents of this article, together with the previous one, also written by Uche, entitled Peter Obi is Not a Politician. What do you imagine would be Uba's impressions and reaction? First of all, he will realise that Uche is an astute communicator. He will also realise that Uche's 'services' can be recruited to his favor. If/when this happens, let no one begrudge Mr. Nworah of the bounties which he shall surely reap. For he surely deserves it. Assuming, of course, that he hasn't already started reaping. :biggrin: DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala| 07.11.2006 13:28

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