By Prince Oliver Okpala

It is understandable that whenever an election is coming everyone will get into the fray and in such circumstances there would be mudslinging, unwarranted attacks and lies just to curry favour and to smear the image of opponents. This is today what is playing out in Anambra State by opponents and detractors of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano. There is nothing to fight for rather the opposition has gone all out to discredit the government and Governor Obiano for cheap political gains.

But it must be understood that seeking power by all means is not a virtue but a sign of depravity and moral bankruptcy.    The legendary Martin Luther King Jnr. even warned his fellow comrades while they struggled for their legitimate right to self actualization in the United States, hear him: “But  there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.

Bitterness and hatred

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force”

This is the least that is expected of those who must fight to gain any manner of victory, be it political or otherwise amongst civilized people anywhere.  But unfortunately, some would – be aspirants or candidates in the forthcoming Anambra Governorship race have already saturated the media with venom even when the campaigns have not begun.

This is an ominous sign that things may get very messy if they don’t call themselves to order in the face of greed for power.

Some of these would – be aspirants have even gone into the fray of creating enemies for themselves instead of working hard to promote their candidacy and their questionable image. They have set up media teams just for the sake of attacking    Governor Obiano.    They use all sorts of strategies such as blackmail, name calling, lies and rumours for no just cause.

But Governor Obiano is not perturbed neither is he moved because he knows that it is the people who would deliver him when the time comes. He has remained in touch with the people, listening to them and ensuring that their wishes and aspirations are taken care of. And this is all that matters to the amiable, focused, principled and visionary governor.

These political jobbers are only interested in their pocket and therefore throw caution and discretion to the wind in discharging their hatchet jobs. They should be called to order because Anambra state is bigger than any individual or group of persons.

Sometimes one reads with concern, materials they circulate on the social media like a recent one purportedly written by the CEO of a conglomerate who hails from Anambra State.

They make boastful and extremely inflaming comments that anyone who understand the burden of leadership and has love for the people would never dare to make. The truth is that most of these ill hearted attackers should go for political self-development.

They should know that politics must not entail spewing lies against political opponents neither should it degenerate into invoking fire and brimstone against fellow citizens who share contrary views with theirs. Anambra people are wise and discerning, there are many of them who know the truth and cannot therefore, be hoodwinked into following empty loud – mouthed political contractors.

These angry politicians should not take their personal weakness and moral failure into the political arena of Anambra, a state that prides herself as the Light of the Nation.

Nauseating posture

All the allegations leveled against Governor Obiano are at best infantile and laughable.    So far what is glaring is that the nauseating posture and utter lack of decorum by these individuals does not positively portray anyone with the ambition to run the affairs of Anambra State.

They ought to know that making controversial, unfounded, malice-ridden public commentaries against real and imagined political opponents is not a mark of brilliance but of mischief and bad manners. As the Igbos say “he who brings home ant-infested faggots should expect the visit of lizards.”

One of them has even floated media outfits and is now in the habit of unleashing his editors on the governor just to pull him down. And in their desperation, they lack political education, finesse and have no sense of limit.

These traits are a threat to the political future of Anambra State and the people must all rise up to make sure that these political misfits do not pollute the political air of Anambra State. The truth is that Governor    Obiano  does not deserve this atrocious campaign of calumny.