By Peter Obi

Twenty years ago, on August 27, 1991, a new state full of hope and bright prospects was born. Inhabited by one of the most industrious and entrepreneurial peoples in Nigeria, Anambra State derived its name from one of the major rivers of the state.

As the State marks its 20 years of existence, my special thanks go to all those who worked hard for her creation. I thank organisations and individuals who have continued to work assiduously for the progress and development of the State, especially the Elders Advisory Council, Traditional Rulers’ Council and Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU.

At inception the state was briefly administered from August 27, 1991 to December of same year by Joseph Abulu, a Navy Captain. He was succeeded by an elected civilian governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife who governed from January 2, 1992 to November 18, 1993 when his government was truncated by a military takeover.

Consequently Colonel Mike Attah mounted the saddle as military administrator from December 13, 1993 to August 20, 1996. He was succeeded by another military officer, Group Captain Rufai’D Garba, who ruled from August 21, 1996 to August 9, 1998 when he made way for the last military governor in the person of Wing Commander Emmanuel Ukaegbu who ruled from August 10, 1998 to May 29, 1999.

It was at this time that Nigeria transited once more to democratic rule with Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju becoming the State’s first elected governor in the Fourth Republic. His regime lasted from May 29, 1999 to May 28, 2003.

Then came what was supposed to be another bold step in the country’s democratic journey when elections were held throughout the country to elect another set of civilian leaders. At this point it was clear to everybody that something had gone wrong. Anambra State was lagging behind most states in the performance indices of good governance and development.

That was when I decided to come out from the secure and organised private sector to delve into the murky waters of politics with all its uncertainties. Driven by a burning zeal for a corrective mission after my experience at Kellogg Graduate School, North Western University, USA and what sadly seemed a return to the barbaric nature which I encountered in Anambra State, I could neither say no to myself nor to the desire of the people for change.

I contested election for the position of governor on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Following an extensive issue-based campaign that was acclaimed as unprecedented, I was overwhelmingly endorsed by the electorate to govern the State. Regrettably, that unflinching verdict of the people was thwarted by anti-democratic elements who declared another candidate the winner of that election.

Rather than give up and surrender to fate or resort to violence, I saw the anomaly as part of my raison d’être for being in politics and therefore a challenge to be confronted.  I initiated proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal where I eventually reclaimed my stolen mandate after three grueling years of political and forensic battles. The verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal was subsequently affirmed by the Court of Appeal. It was the first time a sitting governor would be removed from office by a litigant.

However, I was barely seven months into office when the same anti-democratic forces again struck and illegally impeached me. Part of the reasons adduced for my illegal impeachment was that I was frugal in pruning the cost of governance by reducing the previously inflated cost for the rebuilding of the Government House and Governor’s Lodge burnt by the same undemocratic forces! Interestingly, reducing cost of governance and efficient management of resources, which contributed to my jungle impeachment, formed the need for my involvement in politics.  Was it then time to say enough and pack my things and go?

Again I returned to the court and made another history as the first governor to upturn an impeachment. Incidentally, the State had suffered another setback in its development journey as the midnight impeachment came just as I was fashioning out a blue print for the restructuring of the state.

Having come back from the illegal impeachment, I was confronted by yet another obstacle. This time, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the body charged with conducting elections in Nigeria, wrongly ordered the conduct of gubernatorial election in Anambra State despite the constitutional provision that the person first elected as governor has a four-year tenure, which begins from the day he took the Oaths of Allegiance and  Oaths of Office.

Worse still, I was even excluded from contesting for this new and controversial election for fear I would win. Eventually, somebody was declared winner, forcing me to vacate office on May 29, 2007.

I once more returned to the courts and doggedly pursued the case from the High Court to the Supreme Court, against public opinion. This case changed the time-table for the conduct of gubernatorial elections as I was reinstated on June 15, 17 days after I was forced out of office.

This judgement opened the doors for some other governors to benefit from similar situations. Such governors include Adams Oshiomhole, Olusegun Mimiko, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Liyel Imoke, among others.

However, despite returning to office, my troubles were far from being over, with a State House of Assembly that was 100 per cent PDP. By the time I was able to make them see reason and key into my programmes designed essentially for the good of the people, 2007 had already gone. Suffice to say that while I was sworn in on the 17th of March, 2006,  my actual service to the State started in 2008. The 2008 budget was thus the first budget that I presented to the House of Assembly as Governor.

*Mr Obi is the Governor of Anambra State