Chief Longers Anyanwu is a political icon that stirs controversy. In this Exclusive interview with EVEREST EZIHE, he blew open the hornet of Imo Charter of Equity and gave consolidated support to Chief Tony Chukwu’s innovative idea that have triggered cross fire in the media. It’s a historical MUST read.
EBUBE DIKE OBOWO, FOR DECADES NOW, PEOPLE HAVE IDENTIFIED YOU AS AN INNER CAUCUS POLITICAL ALLY OF CHIEF TONY CHUKWU (Onweghi ihe kariri Chineke), RECENTLY CHUKWU THREW A THUNDERBOLT SPANNER INTO IMO STATE POLITICAL CONTROVERSY, AHEAD OF 2027 GUBERNATORIAL RACE, TONY CHUKWU SAID OWERRI ZONE POLITICAL ARCHITECTS CLAMOURING TO SUCCEED GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA, SHOULD BE WILLING TO TRADE THE SHIFTING OF IMO STATE CAPITAL FROM OWERRI TO OKIGWE, ARE YOU PREVIEW TO THIS STATEMENT, THAT HAS RISEN SERIOUS POLITICAL DUST AND CONTROVERSIES ?
Thank you very much, thank you very much, yes, it’s a gospel truth that Chief Tony Chukwu,(Onweghi ihe kariri Chineke)has been my age long political ally with out any regret(s)and am very much proud of that. He is my political leader and indeed the light of Okigwe Senatorial Zone and has been a very committed leader to the well being and development of Imo State and Nigeria in general. Chief Tony Chukwu has equally shown over the years that he is a committed patriot. He has always supported every good government in Imo State and Nigeria. One thing about Chief Tony Chukwu is that he is not the talking type but whenever he speaks, it’s with all sense of seriousness and credibility, moreso he has the capacity to speak for Okigwe people . Recall that Prof. Proteus Nathan Uzoma from Nwangele LGA of Imo State recently said that Chief Tony Chukwu being a dedicated Catholic and prayerful christian, especially during Lenten season, that Chief Chukwu will always do 40 days and 40 nights fasting without food nor water, in most Lenten periods, he is always bold and courageous to speak out his mind. Political pundits, leaders and analysts will always tell you, that when he manages to say a thing, whatever he speaks out, usually comes to pass. What ever he says may look so simple or ordinary, but certainly, it will come to pass. I was with him at Chief Leo Stan Ekeh’s, Lagos residence. We didn’t discuss anything. He never consulted any body but it was a reaction to a pronouncement by the Chief Host, Sir Leo Stan Ekeh’s statement that there has been previous mutual understanding between him, the Governor and Chief Tony Chukwu in far way Dubai over, power shifting and rotation as anchored in Imo Charter of Equity. Chukwu swiftly reacted that there have never been a time,he could remember that they held such discussion or discussions talk less of having an understanding. Tony Chukwu was quite aware that Okigwe people where in the midst of the crowd that attended the dinner and he definitely needed to come out clean, because he’s in the know of Okigwe people’s yearning and aspiration, as it concerns Governor Uzodimma’s successor, and obviously, he understand that it’s equally imperative for clearing himself, thus giving the opportunity for him to demonstrate that he has not sold out the demand of the people of Okigwe senatorial zone, ahead of 2027 governorship election. That he has been supportive of the Shared Prosperity administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma, he said it point blank that since the Charter of Equity brouhaha, he has maintained that Okigwe has always been there upholding the principles and tenets of the Charter of Equity. However, he lamented that Okigwe has suffered a lot of negligence. That it’s an eye sour that Okigwe senatorial zone is today the only colonial provincial district headquarters that has not been made a State, instead the zone has been balkanized and striped off their ancestral kiths and kin, just to make up other States and some zones. Thus, after his fasting and based on divine directive, he reasoned that the logical thing to do instead of endless arguments is to have a bargaining power because when you’re bargaining for something, you have to generate options and after thorough analysis you find out that more than 80% of the resources meant for Imo State since 1976 are expended in Owerri Senatorial Zone and that been the case, it’s only reasonable and proper that the State capital should be relocated. What Chief Chukwu said on that day off hand is that Chief Achike Udenwa ruled Imo State for 8 years, and Owelle Rochas Okorocha equally ruled for 8 years, that it’s only Senator Hope Uzodimma administration that recognized the need to extend development outside the frontier of the State capital, for instance, up to last March, roads leading to Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s ancestral home in Ogboko, Ideato South were not motorable. It was cut off by erosion, yet he was a Governor for 8 years ago. They have this minds set that the best way to access them is based on their level of commitments towards the development of Owerri Senatorial Zone, thus every government in power puts up legacy projects at the State capital, Owerri as a mark of relevance. Ironically, indigenes of other localities resident in Owerri, equally strifes to develop the city by building up their businesses, owning houses while their local communities squalor in abject poverty and penury. The fastest way of developing a zone is setting up a capital there. Recall few years ago there was nothing like Abuja, all we have is Suleja but once the then Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces moved out the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja, Abuja have become a wonder land and developed up to Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi even up to Kaduna States, that’s what a State capital can do. Tony Chukwu is aware that location of capital is a catalyst for speedy development. Therefore, there must be true ingredients to be considered when talking of the Charter of Equity, honestly, that’s the governorship and the State capital. It’s an obvious truth that any body that is a Governor must work for Owerri Senatorial Zone being the sit of power at the detriment and abandonment of other Zones, this is the simple truth. This why Chief Tony Chukwu, put in the argument and it caught fire. He opened the eyes of Imolites to the realties on the ground and they’re shouting ooh ! Which is the essence of zoning which should be the rotation of developmental projects. Once it’s your turn, you should endeavor to develop your area. People will know you, visitors will be coming to see you because you are from that zone, it has a way of creating ripples effect of developments in your area and zone. That’s in simple terms the essence of the argument Chief Tony Chukwu tried to put on.
SIR, IN VIEW OF THE BACK AND FRONT RIPPLES CHIEF TONY CHUKWU’S POLITICAL STATEMENT IS CAUSING IN IMO STATE POLITY, ARE YOU STILL STANDING BY HIM ?
Am not only 100% standing by him, am totally behind him, ironically am not the only one, all the traditional rulers in Okigwe senatorial zone have come out boldly, allying themselves to Chief Tony Chukwu’s statement, the same thing with the President Generals, even Okigwe Global Elders Forum is totally in support. Do you think we’re are happy with this age long mockery and insultive song, ” obodo nile emepechala ofodi Okigwe na Orlu, ndi n’achi Okigwe amaghi akwukwo”. Are we as Okigwe people not still literate ? What kind of intellectuals and leaders that are not endowed in Okigwe ?
EBEKUO DIKE HAVING X- RAYED THE UNAMBIGUOUS BUT CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT, MADE BY CHIEF TONY CHUKWU, WHAT DO WE CONSIDER AS YOUR TAKE IN THE ON GOING DEBATE OF IMPLEMENTATION AND REALIZATION OF IMO STATE CHART OF EQUITY, AHEAD OF 2027 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION ?
My stand and our take as Okigwe people, on the Imo State Charter of Equity, right from the day of its conceptualization have resolutely remained one, we adduced empirical reasons why the rotational implementation must start from us, Okigwe senatorial zone in 2027. It’s what Charter of Equity is all about, rotational political frame work, before Tony Chukwu’s statement, It seems it has become a faith accompli for one zone to produce the next governor of the state, even when we have cried, we have begged, we have taking our demand to every quarter we deemed necessary to listen to our course. It’s the turn of Okigwe. Equity and natural justice have justified it’s the turn of Okigwe Senatorial Zone to produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor. We circulated documents bearing our stand about 8 months ago. Interestingly, nobody has faulted the reasons we advanced, rather they’re busy saying that Governor Uzodimma says it’s our turn. Does a Governor elect his successor? The answer is no. He will only help to appoint so that it reduces acrimony and political brigades.
SIR ON THIS ISSUE, ARE YOU SPEAKING FOR OKIGWE PEOPLE OR YOURSELF ?
Of course yes. I have their mandate to speak and defend them on this issue of Imo State Charter of Equity. We have written. We have canvassed. We have defended our position and no body has faulted our arguments. I will avail you with this document(he gave a copy to the interviewer) which we have submitted to eminent Igbo political personalities. We have equally deposited copies to Imo Elders Council, the good news is that, up to date, nobody has come out to say what we adduced is wrong.Our position is, address the message and not the messager.
WHAT THEN IS THE MESSAGE ?
The message is that it’s our turn. It’s the turn of Okigwe Senatorial Zone to produce Governor of Imo State in 2027.
HOW ?
It’s our turn because, if you are going to Port Harcourt through Owerri, then on getting to Whare House Junction in Owerri, instead of you plying through Assumpta Road – Port Harcourt Road, you vie through Orlu Road on getting to banana junction in Orlu, you are definitely confused and you asked yourself, am sure am on my way to Port Harcourt, you then asked questions and you are told, you are on a wrong route and you are directed better. What do you do ?, what do you do ? You will definitely turn back, come back to Owerri and correct your self from where you started missing the correct route. Is it not the right thing to do ? Despite all the sacrifices, unless you want to embark on fruitless and meaningless journey. Who does that ?. You must go back and retrace your steps and to God be the glory, Chief Tony Chukwu has advanced the argument, in the sense that he has established that the essence of zoning is for every zone to develop their area when it’s their turn to be in power. Fortunately and unfortunately, every Government in power since the creation of the State has shown enormous commitments in the development of Owerri Senatorial Zone, for instance the 48 kilometers expressed road built by Uzodimma’s administration from Owerri to Obowo, more than 25 kilometers of the road is in Owerri zone, starting from Owerri North to Aboh Mbaise to Ahiazu Mbaise, that’s the bane of equitable distribution of political resources. Most often for democratic dividends to reach us in Okigwe zone, it must pass through Owerri Senatorial Zone ditto Orlu Senatorial Zone. What then is Owerri zone man going to do in Owerri zone if elected into power ?. We have all it takes to give good and purposeful leadership and governance.
SIR, FROM THE ON SET, OF THIS INTERVIEW, YOU SEEMS TO GIVE KUDOS TO SENATOR HOPE UZODIMMA’S SHARED PROSPERITY AND 3R MANTRA ADMINISTRATION, WHAT EXACTLY GIVES YOU THIS ENDORSEMENT RIGHTS MENTALITY FOR NOW, KNOWING YOUR ANTECEDENTS AS A VOLATILE SOCIAL CRITICS ?
In life, you don’t development propaganda, blackmail or falsehood on what you can see or feel. See Ezihe, since I was born and even as Ebube Dike, Obowo, the expressed route to my community is narrow, deplorable and death trap, but Governor Hope Uzodimma made the road seamless drive and it takes about 20 minutes for me to be in Obowo, the land of my birth as against 2-3 hours, years back. All the previous Administrators of the State never have the temerity of administration to work on the road except for political campaigns. Uzodimma not only built the road solidly, he expanded the road with drainages and functional solar power poles, ditto to Okigwe and Orlu zone. Our people are not greedy, what we expect him now to do is internal rural roads that will seamlessly joined the express routes, so that developments will spread into the hinterlands.
One of the major problems of my community is access to good Health Center. I was so glad when the Executive Chairman of Obowo and his powerful entourage visited me as their leader and gave me impressive account of their stewardship. They showed me 3,000 health insurance registration by the populace of the Council. Honestly, I was so happy because it has reduced the burden of sending money to alot of people on health related matters, this is what you called impactful and purposeful good leadership with determination. Am not saying that Hope Uzodimma is a Saint but no mortal is, but he has shown courage and determination to make a difference.
HAVING THUMBED UP GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA’S ADMINISTRATION CAN YOU BOLDLY SAY THE SAME THING FOR ALHAJI BOLA AHMED TINUBU, THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES ?
Believe it or not but time will tell, Tinubu is one of the greatest gifts, God has given to Nigerians in recent times. Tinubu is justifying the proponent made by Chief Tony Chukwu by considerating appointments and developments in Yoruba land. Recall, the Western region insisted that it’s their turn and there was no pretence about that, because if something is your turn, you must start from your own enclave,by the time he finishes those who took over from him will either develop Nigeria or their locality. Nigeria democracy is still on evolutionary stage. The essence of politics is the struggle for allocation of resources and development, at a every given time who controls what and how. If I become President today and I decide to do what Tinubu has done, I have done enough developmental services and empowerment to my people. What do my people need, good coastal road, water, light, good health and education. At a time in Nigeria no body know that there could be a coastal road that can led from Lagos to Calabar. Recall that Calabar was the first designated capital of Nigeria but moved to Lagos and later President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida moved it to Abuja, heaven did not fall, the movement is rudiments of development so Chief Tony Chukwu is absolutely correct. You see, if Yorubas succeeds in their Oduduwa sovereignty demand and Lagos is made their capital as being proposed by them, Lagos already has a quotum leap of development and status of a nation’s capital because it’s the last State that hosted the nation’s capital. Honestly, it can favourably compete with any other nation’s capital of equal status. This is exactly what a location of a capital can do to a people and localty. Fastracking developments.
WHAT THEN IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE ?
Learn a lesson, when somebody says it’s their turn and the opportunity is giving, let him or her start developing from his area, somebody came before Tinubu, he was interested only in Hausa/ Fulani agenda, apart from this what else can he show to Nigerians ?
MUST LEADERSHIP THEN BE ANCHORED ON SELFISHNESS ?
It’s not selfishness. Politics is simply about what you can do for your people. If you go to America, there are some member States till today you can not be compared with Texas, New York, Washington DC, Florida in terms of infrastructural developments. There must be a nucleus of development at every giving time that would spark of developments that would spread to the hinterlands. You can not spread your legs ideally and expect quotum leap. Developments are products of gradual strategic and steady planning from a point. This is the fundamental essence of the pressure and people clamouring for their turn is increasing, people have had their turn but they have nothing to show for it.
