High Chief Longers Anyanwu, the Ebubedike of Obowo in Imo State is not a man unknown for political sagacity and controversies, yes bold, courageous and a delight to every reporter, in this exclusive interview with EVEREST EZIHE of The Authority Newspapers , he was surprisingly emphatic on his next political ambition ahead of 2027, shocking as it may, he equally threw spanners of controversial suspense into Imo State Charter of Equity in his articulation of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s view points and stands. Again, for the first time in his political history he opened up on his personal relationship with the Governor Uzodimma, as well as his styles of governance. He finally spiced up Nigerians in no doubt over President Muhammadu Buhari’s death and what he stands for. Obviously, this is aptly a must read.
As a political pundit, there’s an issue that has become a front burner in Imo State political Chess board, Governor Hope Uzodimma has written his name in the State political history as a Governor who’s determined to ensure seamless hand over, this he did by accepting the decision of Imo State Elders Council headed by HRM Eze (Dr) Cletus Ilomuanya to recommend and prepare a document for Imo Charter of Equity, this they did an accepted zoning arrangements, endorsing ahead of the State 2027 governorship election, that Owerri Senatorial Zone is favoured to commence with the State zoning arrangements, after which Okigwe and then Orlu Senatorial Zones, the governor applauded the document and the recommendations despite pressures, to justify his stand and seriousness, he sent the document as an executive bill for its to have the State legislative backing, and this was done. However, last month the same governor came with caveat over the implementation of the much celebrated Charter of Equity by saying in the household of God, that he’s no longer interested from which zone his successor will come from, that his optimal interest will be on any person whom he is sure that will sustain his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra, since then, the State has swim into the storm of political confusion with the 3 Senatorial Zones each claiming the legitimacy to succeed the Governor, in view of this, as a political leader and analyst, should Governor Hope Uzodimma be trusted in his scheme of successor, ahead of 2027 permutations ?
Honestly, it’s very funny to ask this type of question, because, I firmly trust the Governor, 100%, and he has been very consistent in what he says concerning his succession plan. If ever there’s any blame, doubt or deception, it should be attributed to the people who are arrogating the Governorship position to themselves. The Governor abinitio said it point blank that his second tenure election of 11/11/2023, will determine the voting strength and the ability of the Zones to comply with the Charter of Equity, and mandated each of the Zones to go and work hard and vote for their party, which is APC and by the time he completes his tenure that he will make sure that the two zones that are clamouring to take over from him, with exception of Orlu have a fair chance to compete. He further said that Okigwe and Owerri Senatorial Zones are all eminently eligible, qualified and clamouring to succeed him, but rather than people from certain zone concentrating on the election of 2023, they boxed themselves by shooting themselves on the leg and into fractionalization and balkanization of themselves into aspirants groups with structures and platforms, and lost focus working hard for the victory of APC as it were, so if there’s anything, the governor has been persistent and have shown determination to provide an enabling playing grounds for the two zones. One thing is obvious, some people are doing selective selection and declaration of what the governor said and what the Governor did not said. They are of the strategic view of blackmailing the governor by boxing him into a political tight corner, so as to accept what he did not mean. In all sincerity, what the governor meant before the Elders Council is unambiguously clear, for example, if you take them bit by bit, by noting the voting strengths of each of the zones and locked them together by challenging them that any zone that gives more votes than the other should naturally commenced the Charter of Equity. It’s therefore worrisome that in every fora, you still see people propagating the Charter of Equity towards their own zone.
Honestly, this is not the spirit in which the Governor made the pronouncement, in which he accepted and adopted some of the proposals of Imo State Elders Council. It baffles me the extent, Imo politicians heats up the political system even as the Governor has more than two years for his administration to elapsed. People are unjustly, jostling and hustling for power, because of pressure coming from the number of aspirants eyeing the position, this is exactly what is creating the so called political confusion, tension and lies. I hereby reiterate, that what Uzodimma said about three weeks ago is absolutely correct. Certainly, it’s the best thing any patriotic and visionary government can do. It would amount to gross irresponsibility for you to hand over power to your enemy or somebody who’s alien to your vision and mission as a compassionate and patriotic leader.
For instance, the governor have redefined governance with quality infrastructural developments and transformations. Good welfare oriented programmes and initiatives. He has giving boost to health sectors through Health Insurance Schemes to her citizenry, unprecedented agricultural revolutions, efficient, qualitative and effective education, Local Government Councils are exercising full autonomy, impressive civil servants and happy pensioners, political and security stabilities etc. The Governor has systematically ensured that people embrace true democracy and development, why are they in a hurry, talking, it’s our turn and all those nannities ? Why are they seems to be stampeding the governor into open endorsement ? Honestly, this is worrisome.
Sir, just last Friday at Umueze 1 in Ehime Mbano council area of Imo State, precisely during the burial rites of Chief Tony Chukwu’s, (Onweghi Ihe Kariri Chineke) step mother, you were quoted as saying to Owerri political leaders, that the people of Okigwe Senatorial Zone have resolved working in harmony with them, ahead of 2027 gubernatorial election in the State, what actually provoked you into giving such assurances ?
Yes, I said so. We have nothing against each other. Yes ! We’re in politics, but first and foremost, we are brothers and sisters, we have no reason fighting each other. What I meant, by that, is that, they have shown us a lot of solidarity and companionship. I assured Ndi Imo, that at the nip of time, we will never disappoint them. We don’t have any reason to hold any discordant views or positions. The truth is that we have no acrimonious relationship with them, it’s definitely, Okigwe Senatorial Zone turn and Owerri leaders are showing us solidarity by coming to see us. We have equally demonstrated to them, that there is no cause for alarm, if they continues to support us, and by His grace, we enter Government House in 2018, definitely we will reciprocate the good gestures by carrying them along. Owerri zone will be major stakeholder, whilst equity and natural justice demands that we should seamlessly assist them to take over after our tenure. That’s simply, what I mean and equally said. I unequivocally informed them, that we from Okigwe zone is not in any fight with them, that we need to work in synergy. Both zones are eminently qualified by the tenets of the Charter of Equity. I said it even if it is you or me,(ma obu m ma obu gi) we needs each other’s support. I said it, if by para venture the Governor in his infinity wisdom, found a suitable and liable Okigwe son or daughter as meeting his successorship plans, that they should supports us, ditto Owerri zone. I never deviated from our initial stand, that it’s our Okigwe turn. Never ! Remember, what’s important about who’s at the helms of affairs is purely a product of the allocation of developmental resources or indexes. It’s a gospel truth that 75% of all the developmental infrastructures in Imo State are domiciled in Owerri, as the State capital. Nobody have debunked this empirical truth, what we’re saying is that as our brothers and sisters, they are naturally and morally bound to show some concerns on the level of developments in Okigwe Senatorial Zone, due to her location and topographical natures, we are still being deluged with the colonial realistic song that, obodo nile empechara ofudi Okigwe na Orlu……. All we are saying is, for the government to come closer to Okigwe so as to enable us complete what we could not complete in the past years. Obviously, among the two Senatorial Zones non have more rights than the other, recalled that the Governor said it with all sincerity of purpose, that it’s only on the basis of morals that Orlu is advised not to contest the Governorship seat in 2027 but constitutionally they are also eminently eligible and qualified to contest, like Okigwe and Owerri Senatorial Zones, clamouring that it’s their turn, it’s equally morally and religiously right that the Governor will not support or hand over to somebody who’s not alligance to the philosophies, principles and agenda of his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantras, aimed at consolidation. Honestly, the Governor’s stand is fair enough. It’s an indisputable fact, that APC will still produce the next Governor of Imo State because Uzodimma have shown visionary and purposeful leadership, in terms of capacity buildings, empowerments, welfare oriented programmes and initiatives, as well as infrastructural developments and transformations.
Ebubedike of Obowo, there’s this strong rumour in Imo State political circles that you, Longers Anyanwu is eyeing 2028 Okigwe Senatorial Zone seat in the national assembly, what’s your take ?
Thank you very much, you know most times, people carries all sorts of rumours, but I think, in this, they are right, because ambition is never a crime. I have been in Imo State since the inception of democracy, I have paid my dues, even yesterday some people accosted me and said this one am so emphatic on zoning arrangements, it’s as if am running for Governorship? I told them that there’s no office both in State and Federal, that am not eminently qualified to run. If it comes to Imo State, and my Governor and other critical stakeholders said they have brought me out to serve the good people of Imo State, inline with the governor’s consolidation agenda and vision, who are my, to say no ? Honestly, if given the opportunity, definitely I will never be found disappointing, certainly, (agam atuta ihe aturum na ahia), ditto for Okigwe Senatorial seat, am a national team player with global antecedent of pedigrees and networking, as for quality representation, in all sincerity, my Okigwe people will for the first time in recent past witnessed efficient, effective and qualitative representations. Majority of the people in the Senate today are my political contemporaries and allies. However, one thing is obvious, it’s God that gives power. Am a senior member of APC from reception and I recognized the superiority of the political party decision or decisions. Am committed in working very hard. People keep asking me, that they are hearing that am running for Governorship, and am running for the Senatorial seat, which one are you running ? All pointer indication, is that am fully qualified, working hard in my preparations. One thing I know, is that I can do any of the positions with fear of God and in the overall interest of humanity and the society at large.
Longers Anyanwu is one man known for constructive and objective criticisms, as one time founder and financier of Accord Party, you were known to be fiery in opposition, but you seems to have recently taking a dramatic U-turn, since the inception of the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, you seems to have taken an exception by been highly supportive, why is it, you have never faulted Uzodimma’s administration since its inception ?
Sincerely speaking, am equally surprised and shocked over this your question, because if you have followed my political trajectories, you would have known that am an ardent member of Hope Uzodimma’s political family, for over 2 decades now starting from PDP days, I was with him as a member of innermost kitchen cabinet, our group then were tagged, Abuja based politicians, in 2003 when he ventured into Alliance for Democracy, AD, I was strongly with him. I have being his ardent supporter and follower. One thing, you should know, is that Senator Uzodimma is not just a Governor, he has been a national leader and a member of the National Board of Trustees of one of the biggest political parties in Africa. I have always believed in his leadership. I did not start following Uzodimma because he is a governor, it was not a matter that it was only me, no, we were many, but me and him have had good cordial and mutual brotherly and friendly relationship, with all the political vestitudes I have passed through, I believe very strongly that every body have got his or her own time. Without any regrets, am one of the ardent organic followers of Senator Hope Uzodimma. Definitely, I can not shy away from it, it therefore behooves on me.to always protect and defend him and his administration, moreso, as he is performing creditably well, taking into account most of his legacy projects and programmes.
It’s instructive to recall that when he took over the governance of the state on January 14th, 2020, Imo State was under the hostages of insecurities and deplorable socioeconomic activities. Infact, Imo was in sorry State, when it comes to infrastructural developments and transformations
Am supporting him before he became a governor, am still supporting him while he’s a governor, because he’s a good man with soul and conscience. I will continue to support him even when he is no longer in power. I have a personal relationship with him. He’s my political leader and one of my mentors, I fought so many battles with him politically. At a time, people taught we are not serious, I was on tour with him to 26 LGAs of the State campaigning, therefore, I have bragging rights for him and he has delivered quality and efficiency in overall interest of the populace and the society at large. He has registered Imo State in the political subconsciousness of Nigerians and the global communities, even though I based in Abuja, I know him as a power broker. It’s an obvious truth that there’s no President in this country that will perform creditably without the inputs and supports of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Remember even before he became a governor, he has been on the front burner in the support of one united and progressive Nigerian union. Even when he wanted to run for the Governorship of Imo State, some political pundits were sceptical considering his national and global political clouts and weights. The quality of his administration’s infrastructural developments is evident of his patriotic mission and vision. He has created enabling environments for socioeconomic activities to thrives in Imo State and its environ.
Can you imagine how peace is fast returning to Imo State ? The State is now investors and tourists friendly. There’s democratic freedom of speech, we were in Ehime Mbano two days ago for the burial of Chief Tony Chukwu’s step mother, no iota of insecurity threat and politicians were freely and happily talking politics, honestly, before it wasn’t like this. Uzodimma have liberated Imo State and her people and you are asking me not to be proud of him, you are asking me not to support him, tufiakwa ! It’s against natural justice not to be appreciative. Am for years compliance to Camp Hope, because he’s a patriotic and compassionate leader. His giant strides achievements are empirical and speaks volume.
As a chieftain of APC something dramatic just happened to the nation yesterday, that’s the announcement of the death of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, one time Military Head of State and one time President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, GCFR, he is also a leader in APC, how do you see him and what’s your take on him ?
Honestly, I just confirmed his death few minutes ago from some of his close aides who are my personal political and business friends, his death is a national tragedy, no matter how you look at it. It’s equally a big lost to our political party, APC, we are about going into another general election and this is a man that is highly influential with intimidating followership, all over the country, Mai gasikiya, as he was popularly known. He said it point blank before his death, that he’s not going to do anything politically with the coalition group, that he’s APC chieftain and that he has no regrets as an ardent member of APC. He appreciated the party for giving him another opportunity of serving the nation and was highly supportive of his successor, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that is a hallmark of gentle man and symbol of party loyalty. He’s a man, very consistent in his believe, wether you like it or not. His views may be too strong for the nation, but I believe he equally means well to the nation, age and health were the major set backs in his administration. Am quite convinced that if he were younger, he would have done better than he did. He came, he saw and played his role. May Almighty God, accept his soul to rest in perfect peace, Amen. The stage is off from him, it’s left for the people living to now read history and interpret it the way they understands it, for me, he was a strong leader and one track leadership style strategist, thus, if he believes in you, he strongly believe in you, but if he doesn’t believe in you, nothing on earth will easily make him to change his mind or stand. Unfortunately, he isn’t apologetic on his systematic life style.
Finally, as a social crusade and political icon, what’s your advise to the people of Imo State ahead of 2027 and inline with the State Charter of Equity imbroglio?
Please enjoin our politicians to reduce the unnecessary political tension and pressure, it’s not germaine. They should equally stop their politics of name dropping, using the governor’s name. Honestly, they should jettison these their campaign of calumny, blackmail, propaganda, falsehood and pull him down syndrome. These things are not necessary, because God gives power, to whom ever that pleases him. The Governor has said it in so many fora that his mission for rotation of power, is to reduce tension, acrimony, exploitation and brigandage. Let there be fair and equity in every thing that’s happening in Imo State,and going sequentially, as other States are doing, if it’s going sequentially as equity demands, after Orlu, it should go to Okigwe by order and exactly the way clock moves. This is simple, no amount of toxic political noise can change the status quo of equity and natural justice. The Governor has been persistent in his statement that he will choose from any of the two Senatorial Zones, that’s either Okigwe or Owerri and he made it emphatic that the person he will choose must be somebody who’s complainance to his mission and vision as enshrined in his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra. He has been consistent with his stand on his successor but people wants to persuade him to say, I have anointed you, which he can not say because of the political implications, moreover this is democracy. There are processes and scrutiny people goes through before the governor will openly say am going to support this or that, so as to achieve fair balance. You can not succeed him, simply because you are following him, there are characteristics, antecedents and pedigrees, to be considered. All these are old methods, that are not feasible in the present political dispensation. The person must have good health, sound emotional and psychological dispositions with stamina to carry on the weight and challenges in governance. You can not force somebody to support you, Imo people must have a say on who governor’s them, you can not get the governorship by antagonizing any zone or person, it’s not necessary, every body have been in this system praying for the survival of the State. It’s a religious truth that Imo State doesn’t belong to any person or group, but to all of us, who are Nigerians and Imo people, and they must make inputs to who governs them. It can never be achieved by blackmail, white lies or propaganda. For us as Okigwe Senatorial Zone people, we have articulated our position why we said, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor should come from Okigwe zone on document presented to all stakeholders in the State including Imo Elders Forum, Imo House of Assembly, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing, till date, nobody has challenged those documents and documented evidences for over 18 months now. We have equally expected that any zone that thinks otherwise should come out with a documented documents, justifiable arguments and evidences to prove their claim or claims but for more than 18 months now, non have done that. We have widely circulated our documents and claims, we are not saying that we are sacrosanct but articulate and lets know why it should be your turn and not Okigwe zone. We must elevate the practice of democracy and politics a little high, that’s my stand, because it will definitely and surely end in praises.
