By Emeka Alex Duru
Even in the best of time, election in Anambra, is an interesting encounter and war of sorts. It is usually an exercise in which the combatants throw in everything in terms of wits and resources to outsmart their opponents. For the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), any contest in the state provides opportunity to reenact an old rivalry and battle of supremacy. It is usually one with the stakes high and points to prove.
The November 6 governorship poll in the state, falls into this order. It is a contest that is seen in many quarters as a proxy war for 2023 general elections between the APC and PDP. For APGA, it is a significant outing that will determine the future of the party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced the date for the poll, cited Section 178(1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25(7) & (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which prescribed that election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than One Hundred and Fifty (150) days and not later than Thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.
“In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard, the Commission has fixed 6th November 2021 as the date for the conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election”, INEC National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced.
That has effectively drawn the battle line for the contest. APGA, APC and PDP, have strong reasons to go all out for the poll. APGA, the ruling party in the state in particular, has its existence tied to the outcome of the exercise. Since 2003, it has been in control of the state’s politics, with Peter Obi, the 2019 PDP vice presidential candidate and Willy Obiano, serving as governors on its ticket.
When APGA made its debut in 2003, it was a household name in the state and the entire South East. The profound acceptance of the party in Anambra accounts for its slogan as ‘Nke a bu nke anyi (This is ours)” Ordinarily, the job performance profile of Obiano and existing favourable sentiments from the people should be enough to earn it good outing in November. But the poor handling of its state and National Assembly primaries in not only Anambra but the entire states in the South East in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, has greatly affected its rating in the zone. Notwithstanding, the Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu factor in APGA and the party’s control of the state legislator and 21 local government areas in the state, still make it a force to reckon with any day. The likelihood of the former Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo emerging its candidate, may also give the party some gains.
APC and PDP, see the encounter as more than a mere election. It is a dress rehearsal for the days ahead. For the APC, Anambra is a gate-way for a strong push into the South East in 2023. Until the party secured anchor in the zone through the controversial victory of Hope Uzodimma in Imo and recent defection of Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, the party’s presence in the zone had been marginal. Before and since the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, APC has not been well received in the area. The inexplicable exclusion of the zone by the President in his policies and appointments, until lately, did not help matters. But with 2023 politics already on the cards and the clamour for the presidential ticket of the party by South East APC chieftains, Anambra election presents a good opportunity for them to prove that they are on ground. Over time, APC has been able to rake in some big names in the south east politics to its column. These include Orji Uzor Kalu, Ken Nnamani, Arthur Eze, Chris Ngige, Ogbonnaya Onu, George Muoghalu, Rochas Okorocha and others. The party took second in 2017 governorship election in the state. There are whispers of Senator Andy Ubah, Ngige and Tony Nwoye eyeing its slot for the election
The PDP desires victory in the poll, if for no other thing, reclaim the position it lost to APGA since 2003, due to arrogance of power and indiscipline within its ranks. A win in November will put it in good stead for the 2023 general elections. It also needs Anambra to consolidate its south east base, against the backdrop of insinuations of likely defection by two governors on its platform to APC any moment from now. On the surface, the party has all that it takes to take charge of Anambra. But its outings in the state’s politics have been quite paradoxical. While it continues to win major victories in National Assembly elections, repeating same feat at state encounters has been herculean.
It currently has two senators – Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) and Stella Oduah (Anambra North) in the senate and many lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Crisis at primaries has been identified as the main factor denying the PDP victory at the state level. How it fixes itself this time around, will go a long way in determining how far it goes. Some aspirants are showing interest in its ticket. They include former Chief Executive of Transcorp Plc, Val Ozigbo, Senator Ekwunife, Political Scientist, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, US-based surgeon, Dr. Maduka, among others. They have the name, reputation and network of contacts. The Peter Obi factor remains the trump card for the party in the state, if well managed.