Forcing The President’s Hand
By Uche Nworah

I must apologise to people who normally read me for serving another uncharacteristic political piece, the third in a row now. But unfolding events in our polity make even the most ‘uncaring’ and unconcerned of patriots to want to cast a second look at the water bowls of the oracles. The exigencies of the times call for such, and the coming days surely would see lots of rescheduled deadlines and stop-press headlines in the Nigerian media. Let’s brace for them.

When I published Andy Uba and the Anambra State Government House, certain facts and the full details of his involvement in the American money laundering indictment were not yet clear. Uba’s pedigree and his peculiar ‘princely’ circumstances could easily make any commentator run-away with the impression that here was the king-in-waiting in Anambra state, maybe not and not so fast I have been reminded by those who read, follow and understand this political game better than I do.

Certain scenarios may be worth re-enacting here for clarity purposes. While debating the Uba saga and Anambra politics over the phone with Chigbo Ugochukwu, an Abuja based lawyer who also has some inside knowledge on the workings of Aso Rock, he reminded me of something that Prof George Obiozor ( Nigeria ’s Ambassador to the United States ) said about Nigerian politics, which may also be extended to other political contexts worldwide. According to Chigbo, Prof Obiozor defined politics thus; ‘Politics is a concentric series of conspiracies in which the last party to conspire emerges victorious’.

In retrospect, I may have concluded on the Anambra governorship race too soon.

As a youngster I loved the flamboyant politics of Dr Sam Mbakwe (Dee Sam) and Dr. K.O Mbadiwe (Agada gbachiri uzo) during the second republic, I used to enjoy the whole intrigues and razzmatazz associated with politics which were beamed to us by the media, it was men like them that elevated politics to the next level with their rhetoric and ideological stances. It used to be that there were professional politicians, men of timber and calibre (apologies Mbadiwe) who understood the game and enjoyed the klieg lights and men behind the scenes who pulled the strings and sponsored the politicians with the intention of securing their business interests. In K.O’s case, it was alleged that the likes of Chief C. Moore Obioha (Okpurishi of Arondizuogu) and Dr. Mbazulike Amaechi were those behind him. In those days it was never the case that those with means who should rather be concerned with protecting their wealth ever dreamt of coming out in the open to contest elections, and thereby sharing in the limelight with the professional politicians, an error in judgement by the likes of  Peter Obi.

M. K. O Abiola was reportedly NPN’s chief financier and enjoyed the business privileges that came with it. When he hinted to the party’s hierarchy then that he would also love to put himself forward as the party’s candidate, Umaru Dikko allegedly told him that the party’s presidential ticket was not for sale to the highest bidder, Abiola subsequently suffered such detestations because of his wealth, by the political class including the military junta until his unfortunate death in 1998.

Now that Andy Uba has inadvertently exposed Aso Rock and President Obasanjo to international scrutiny and ridicule by his stupid decision to ferry dollars aboard the presidential jet, would Obasanjo still keep faith with him?

Now that opposition legislators in the upper legislative chambers are calling for Andy Uba’s head, would Aso Rock still provide him with the backing that he needs to survive all the heat the American affair is generating?

Now that Andy has left Aso Rock, and is no longer the first and last man to see President Obasanjo everyday, would he still have the backing of INEC and Aso Rock to make it to Awka in may 2007.

In politics, 24 hours is indeed a long time, the week started out well for Andy Uba but he must already be wondering already what life is like on the other side. He is now vulnerable and as exposed as the other aspirants; his only ace may only be in the size of his war chest.

And what if President Obasanjo chooses another crown prince for the Anambra job, in order to safeguard the integrity of his government’s anti-corruption stance, would Andy Uba still be standing on the last day?  What if Prof. Charles Soludo was to be thrown into the equation by Aso Rock?

In politics, they say that what goes around comes around. Andy Uba finally is at the receiving end of his own brand of politics – attacking the enemy with whatever you have. How very convenient for his opponents and enemies  to have released information about the American affair to the media in the same week that he resigned from his top job as Obasanjo’s right hand man.

Chris Ngige must be smiling now; Peter Obi may be chuckling even though half heartedly. Calling to mind Prof Obiozor’s earlier definition of politics, we might be in for a very long movie especially with the formal declaration of intent by the master political strategist of them all, Ibrahim Babangida. Just reading about the entourage which accompanied him and his wife, escorted by the Inspector General of Police (Sunday Ehindero) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offices in Abuja to pick up his 25 million naira presidential nomination form shows that the battle is far from over, but the body count may have already begun.

November 2006. info@uchenworah.com 

Robot  Villager

# 1 Forcing The Pre...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 09.11.2006 13:46

ula-lisa  Villager

# 2 Sometimes the handlers of the masquerade implore it, cajole it, nay force it to stay away from the market-square. Some defy the warning at their peril. Make we :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Posted by ula-lisa| 09.11.2006 14:25

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 3 In essence, this piece represents a lengthy apology. It couldn't have come at a more auspiscious moment. It is precisely because of the fact that "24 hours is a long time in politics", that supposedly articulate and enlightened persons, like yourself, should refrain from purportedly reading the tea-leaves too early, in such a fawning manner. Especially when the object of your 'predictions', in so many ways, represents all that is negative and uninspiring about Nigerian politics. However, I disagree with you, when you subtly seek to rationalise the travails of Peter Obi, when you write: In those days it was never the case that those with means who should rather be concerned with protecting their wealth ever dreamt of coming out in the open to contest elections, and thereby sharing in the limelight with the professional politicians, an error in judgement by the likes of Peter Obi. Ironically, if one is to go by your assertion above, it then means that the likes of Andy Uba, (whom you were so earnestly sure of his victory) also, have no business contesting elections, because, it is an open secret that Uba is wealthy beyond imagination. Uche, I must observe that it is hard to categorize your political stance. Is it ideologically driven, or is it just a case of 'situational ethics'? One second, you're saying one thing, and the next moment, you make a complete volte face. You will agree with me that if this attitude persists, it may be hard for discerning minds to take you seriously. And that would be such a shame, because, I sincerely believe that you are a great communicator. This is a God-given talent that should never be taken lightly, nor seemingly sacrificed on the alter of expediency. Uche, Nwanem madu (Uche, pesin broda), nno (welcome) DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala| 09.11.2006 15:01

Onos  Villager

# 4 Uche: Okay o. We've heard you. And I'm assuming, with this article, that you're distancing yourself from that criminal called Andy Uba. However, note that you contradict yourself when you wrote: How very convenient for his opponents and enemies to have released information about the American affair to the media in the same week that he resigned from his top job as Obasanjo’s right hand man. Are you implying that Uba resigned before the money laundering charges were made public? That his 'enemies & opponents' only released the information to the media (ala saharareporters et-al) AFTER he had resigned? Listen, Uche, peddling such little 'white' lies doesn't help the theme of your article which I believe is an apology or clarification of your stance to your readers regarding your preceding piece. You can sneak such false statement as quoted above by a lot of people but know that there are quite a sizeable number of discerning folks here who can read between the lines. Welcome back, bruv! Posted by Onos| 09.11.2006 17:06

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 5 =Onos;138027>Uche: Are you implying that Uba resigned before the money laundering charges were made public? That his 'enemies & opponents' only released the information to the media (ala saharareporters et-al) AFTER he had resigned? Listen, Uche, peddling such little 'white' lies doesn't help the theme of your article which I believe is an apology or clarification of your stance to your readers regarding your preceding piece. You can sneak such false statement as quoted above by a lot of people but know that there are quite a sizeable number of discerning folks here who can read between the lines. Welcome back, bruv! Wow!! Onos, I missed this one completely, in Uche's write-up. Hehehehe :lol: :lol: I give up. I take back all my reconciliatory words. Uba's "enemies and opponents", indeed. Meanwhile, he only offers an apparent wistfulness as to the impact this "information" may have on his candidacy. He says nothing, whatsoever about the moral intergrity of the man, rather he blames Uba, for getting caught (which he characterizes as "stupid" - nothing more), and wonders aloud (the prospect of the money/position, which the writer may have been dreaming of, vaporizing in a puff of smoke, must be very disconcerting, indeed), if OBJ will still keep faith with him: Now that Andy Uba has inadvertently exposed Aso Rock and President Obasanjo to international scrutiny and ridicule by his stupid decision to ferry dollars aboard the presidential jet, would Obasanjo still keep faith with him? Onos, Uche's lies are not "white" lies. They are carefully constructed distortions of facts, served on a platter of make-believe political commentary. E be like say the chap don chop obokun fish, and the bone(s) don dey chook am for throat. That's why he is compelled to continue on this perditious path. What a waste. Another 'wouldacouldashoulda' of a dude, bites the dust :rolleyes: DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala| 09.11.2006 17:48

No Smoking  Villager

# 6 Abegi make una no forget say wannabe-governor Uba go need advisers and commissioners.. Trusted paddymen don begin hustle O.... :rolleyes: Posted by No Smoking| 09.11.2006 18:11

katampe  Villager

# 7 Hi Uche: I am shocked you have rejected your earlier statement.But, why? I found this statement very confusing the ... ‘uncaring’ and unconcerned of patriots to want to cast a second look at the water bowls of the oracles. Why are the folks patriots then if they are unconcerned, or "uncaring'? Someone says you are great communicator,maybe somebody or yourself can help me here. I think your last article makes sense irrespective of what the opinion shapers on this forum seem to suggest.Can't you allow all of them go to blazes ? Do you care , especially if you were speaking with your conscience? It is either you have no moral anchor from which you do your analysis.I earlier noted that I wished you were doing this for the right reasons.I know Paul Adijie sticks to his guns irrespective of what naysayers say, I think that is the price you pay for being a public commentator. I have always known this generation certainly has problems, with women becoming feminists and bra burning advocates, and the men increasingly fixated on lucre of high office or token appointments and rap artistes.You made an analysis and instead of you to avail us the reinforced premises under which you made the analysis you have chickened out.I hope Pat Utomi relieves you off the post you currently have on his campaign team - you are a fair weather kind of guy and you have become the butt of jokes at the village square for having an opinion. In a civilized world it should be the herd of uncivilized folks rampaging on the internet that should be moved enmass into a dungeon of the discredited for assault on free speech or saying things as you see it, but of course you said it not because you believed.I have always suspected your authenticity all along , and you confirmed it. Posted by katampe| 09.11.2006 18:26

Djister  Villager

# 8 All this talk about Uba, dis one dat one..you notice that these characters are written about without any reference to the people who they will presumably rule. Nigerian politics is about imposition. The people of Anambra had no choice over Ngige, when they got their coice Obi he got booted out and they will have no choice over Uba & Uba Ndigbo Limited! When writers focus on the personalities, i can only think they are out to make hay while the money is flying around. Long Live Shahara Reporters o jare! Posted by Djister| 09.11.2006 19:03

BiafranPrincess  Villager

# 9 Uche! Uche! Uche! Sorry but your pitiful attempt at an apology is just NOT accepted. I knew you would finally reveal your TRUE self by your own words and u are doing it marvelously. Peter obi represents all that is decent and upright in terms of leadership that Anambra needs while the UBAs represent all that is reprehensible and ugly about 'rulership' in our land. The former is for values,ideas and intergrity, philosophy and dignity, restarting from the foundation to rebuild. The latter is for money-politics, devoid of morality and populism. The moment you started attacking Peter Obi and almost tripping over urself in predicting Uba's governorship, I knew you had pretended all these while to be someone with a sound philosophy and principles. You are at worst the poster boy for all the so called 'elites' who are deep down just angling for a chance to make their own quick buck. And now u're trying to do a quick withdrawal on Uba and pretend to be a progressive again. Haba! what do you take us for? I often wonder how IBB was able to get seemingly brilliant people with intergrity to work for and even defend him, and by simply deconstructing ur likes Uche, I can understand how. Uche, Please stick with ur stories on everyday funny events in life and forget about this posing as a whatever it is u're pretending to be. I have no problem with people being sycophants but own up to it, don't pull a wool over our eye with wuru wuru intellectual play on words. I repeat again: Your man Uba will NEVER be governor of Anambra state! Amen and Amen! Posted by BiafranPrincess| 09.11.2006 19:20

Abraxas  Villager

# 10 Hi, folks! =katampe;138033>Hi Uche: I am shocked you have rejected your earlier statement.But, why? I found this statement very confusing the ... ‘uncaring’ and unconcerned of patriots to want to cast a second look at the water bowls of the oracles. Why are the folks patriots then if they are unconcerned or "uncaring'? Someone says you are great communicator,maybe somebody or yourself can help me here. I think your last article makes sense irrespective of what the opinion shapers on this forum seem to suggest.Can't you allow all of them go to blazes ? Do you care , especially of you were speaking with your conscience? It is either you have no moral anchor from which you do your analysis.I earlier noted that I wished you were doing this for the right reasons.I know Paul Adijie sticks to his guns irrespective of what naysayers say, I think that is the price you pay for being a public commentator. I have always known this generation certainly has problems, with women becoming feminists and bra burning advocates, and the men increasingly fixated on lucre of high office or token appointments and rap artistes.You made an analysis and instead of your to avail us the reinforced premises under which you made the analysis you have chicken out. I hope Pat Utomi relieves you off the post you currently have in his campaign team - you are a fair weather kind of guy and you have become the butt of jokes at the village square for having an opinion. In a civilized world it should be the herd of uncivilized folks rampaging on the internet that should be moved enmass into a dungeon of the discredited for assault on free speech or saying things as you see it, but of course you said not because you believed.I have always suspected your authenticity all along , and you confirmed it. DECONSTRUCTOR, DECONSTRUCT THYSELF!! Nwanna, biko ji s'ike, (i nugo?) Anu kporo'nkwu ad'ee j'onu. Muchas gracias, mi amigo. Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III) Posted by Abraxas| 09.11.2006 19:28

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