Anambra 2014: Why Ngige May Never Be Governor Again

Anambra 2014: Why Ngige May Never Be Governor Again

Ngige

The mention of Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige would certainly ring a bell, not because he is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but for his time as the governor of Anambra State.

He is of small stature and those who took on him based on that had repeatedly been chagrined by his prowess at streetwise tactic. He built this reputation while at the helm of affairs in Anambra where he was credited with dismantling a famed network of a godfather. He even admitted to being slapped around by the said godfather.

Locked in a fight with the people who made him, he ran for cover under the masses of the state by immediately embarking on populist projects, mainly road construction, attracting applause for it. Thus he made his name, and his fame.

The rest is history as the courts upturned his victory thus his sack from Anambra government house. Electoral success subsequently took him to the senate on the back of votes from his Anambra Central Senatorial district defeating APGA-government-led Prof Dora Akunyili.

Will he make a good governor again? His supporters would argue endlessly in his favour of course. After all he did the roads, he broke the godfather stronghold, he is liked etc. Yet those who would not readily agree he did well the first time would accept he at least did what had not been done before.

But that’s not what matters now. Fingers are pointing in the direction that Ngige may never be governor again. His party Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN would soon metamorphose into All Progressives Congress, APC, if it is registered. And this party may not give him their ticket!

Soludo

Presently, the declaration of Chief Godwim Ezeemo, a media mogul must have come as a jolt to Ngige who is believed to have offered him to run alongside him as a deputy governor. There are indications that further intrigues within the party might have put Ngige on the edge.

Elites of the party are said to be suspicious of the former governor who they believe to be arrogant, and one of them would say “he go about with the feeling he is populist and cannot be helped.” They say Ngige parades himself with so much arrogance when in company of peers as if the party cannot win election without him.

Those in the know claim there is emerging cold war raging between Ngige and his kinsman Senator Annie Okonkwo. They say that Annie would not see Ngige a governor and is determined to break his stranglehold on Idemmili politics where both men come from.

It is muted that Annie who had unsuccessfully aspired to govern Anambra may be waiting till the last minute to declare his intention to run again, a move that would put more spanner in the ambition of Ngige. It is not also known the kind of financial muscle Ngige could muster to back his ambition.

Knowledgeable sources say that should Annie dampen his ambition, which they say is not likely he would seek to sponsor another candidate in spite of his kinsman Ngige. Then it boils down to party primaries which would determine who gets the flag in the first place.

Annie, a member of Anambra club of billionaires would seek to outdo Ngige in the horse-trading that would produce the flag bearer. Ngige is not know to be super rich.

Annie

 

However, supporters have argued that Ngige would most certainly get sponsors. What is not know is how much financiers are willing to risk on him as it is not known how far the former governor committed repaying such investments in the past.

Opponents claim he does not repay and canvass their position that investing in Ngige would result only in heartbreak. They point at the way he handled Chris Uba, saying that inasmuch as he was applauded by the masses, it is not the masses that will vote for him at the primaries but the elite. They also claim that some of those who financed his senatorial ambition complain of having sour grapes.

If this permutation is not enough to stop Ngige, his relationship with the only southeast governor in the APC alliance is another suspect reason. It is said that governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state may not want to attend the Governors Forum with Ngige. If claims like this are to be yardsticks, the close-door tie Annie Okonkwo enjoys with the governor may be seen as one directed as thwarting Ngige’s bid.

It is said that Rochas who has the capacity to deliver his state than would Ngige might demand to command who gets what in the southeast, and the party would more likely oblige him.

That is, assuming APC itself would even want Ngige to be governor as things now stand. When Ngige ran to be minority leader of the senate in 2011, it was forces within his party that made sure he did not get it, in preference for party rookie, former governor of Benue, Akume. It was said then as it is said now that those who feared his rising popularity worked against him.

Uba

 

Even the local party men in his state may be beginning to assess their stand with him as he did not lead them to electoral victory in the past. Some claim the former governor did not make any effort to transfer his popularity to seeking victory for them. That he in fact usurped the effect of their bandwagon followership to amass victory for himself.

Should Ngige survive these, he would be met in a straight fight by whoever carries the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP where heavyweight politicians like Chukwuma Soludo and Andy Uba are already jostling. On the side, he would also contend with the financial muscle of the neo-rich oil baron Ifeanyi Ubah. This is in addition to the fact that Peter Obi who is presently the All Progressives Grand Alliance governor of the state may also not want him at the Awka governors lodge again.

APC sources claim that when it is registered, the compromise may be for Ngige to continue as a senator for now. And if it happens, it may be his last!