I want to start with a question: Is it that Willie Obiano’s stewardship as Governor had no blemish or shortcomings and no one should ask questions, or that even though he had some questionable ventures, we should keep quiet and not ask any questions, because he is our brother?
Our People always want to use sentiments and confuse every matter, or resort to all sorts of emotional blackmail. Contrary to the lies being peddled and emotional blackmail on the spin, Willie Obiano is not hated. He has not killed anyone or snatched people’s wives. He’s a good man and not the enemy.
But, that is one side of the story. Under his watch, touts and all sorts of people brutalised Anambrarians severally and on a daily basis, with many “pits” and dues and levies being collected across board. All pleas, supplications and cries from the people against these fell on deaf ears. People lost their lives to stabbing and etc. This is one major factor. Again, people complained endlessly about bad roads and traffic gridlock and severally beckoned on the Governor to come to our aid. This was hardly paid attention to.
In 2003, after a certain Chinweoke Mbadinuju left office as Governor of Anambra state, many people were jubilant and relieved because it was like a reign of terror coming to an end. Trust me, many people feel thus now.
Obiano’s current travails at the hands of the EFCC have been expected. Some months ago, when the EFCC placed him under their watchlist, his Aides were all over the place, threatening fire and brimstone, daring the anti corruption agency and saying that he had no questions to answer. While all these were happening, Willie had the time and grace to set the records straight. He didn’t.
Again, Willie Obiano is not anti APC. He actually has a good relationship with the APC and helped them to dislodge PDP and Peter Obi at the 2019 elections. He never denied this and instead, even owned up to it. You can check the news again. We don’t forget these things. He’s not being persecuted for not joining APC. He’s actually APC in many respects.
He is also not being harrased because he is Igbo. Other former non-Igbo Governors have also faced the EFCC with some going to Prison at different times. Northerners and Fulanis have also faced EFCC and been imprisoned. Orji Uzoh Kalu recently went to Prison,
despite being APC.
Remember that the EFCC had also beamed their Searchlights on other ex Governors like Mr Peter Obi, Rochas Okorocha and the likes. This is not new.
Apart from that, remember that the EFCC did not go to Aguleri to arrest Willie Obiano, nor did they come after him. No. Rather, they arrested him on his way out of the country, hours after he relinquished power to Gov Chukwuma Soludo. If there was nothing to hide, why was he in such a haste to rush out of the country? He could not even spend one night in Anambra, the same Anambra that his aides said he developed massively and transformed? He was the one who walked into the EFCC net. They didn’t go looking for him.
Again, there are many allegations concerning his stewardship, and many unclear matters involving his management of public funds. Starting from the money handed over to him by his predecessor, to other projects. The Flyovers in Awka, the International Cargo Airport, the Helicopters, the Bank bonds, Horses, CCTV equipment his Government published widely that they acquired, (which the people cannot even see) and many others.
Meanwhile, for a Governor who was in the eye of a storm for some drama regarding the transparent process of financial standings when he was taking over office, would it have been out of place, for him to also give a statement of the State’s finances, like Mr Peter Obi did when he was leaving office?
You see, no one hates him. He just has questions to answer. Mark you, if the people could see roads built, clean Anambra, secure State, portable Water supply or other developmental projects, many people would not have been interested. Instead, his legacy was that of touts unleashed on the Citizens, arbitrary levies and dues being enforced, refuse dumps littered all over the State, terrible roads and etc.
By the way, if you were either employed or hired, or bankrolled by the Government of Willie Obiano, or you benefitted through sponsorship, or had your relatives employed by him or served with him, or you’re from his place, why don’t you stay quiet and allow the neutrals examine things?
How does a Governor finish serving a State and the majority of the people are happily cheering that his wife was slapped, and that he’s under the custody of the EFCC? Why are people relieved that his tenure is over? Why does it feel like post-Mbadinuju all over again?