By Ndibe Okeke
The selection of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as gubernatorial flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State for the February 9, 2010 elections in the state is the best news that has been received by the indigenes of the state since the past 10 years. For the first time, an indigene of the state who has national and international reputation has come out to be counted.

For a State that has produced Nigerians of such national and international stature like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Pius Okigbo, Dr Philip Emeagwali, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Chike Obi, Prof. Ben Nwabueze and many others, Professor Chukwuma Soludo is indeed a square peg in a square hole and very eminently deserves to pilot the affairs of the state.

Since the creation of the state in 1991 it had been one tale of woe or the other. The years between 1991 and 2003 can well be described as the years of the locusts in the state.

It started with the years the Military ruled the state. Not being accountable to anyone but their superiors in the Military hierarchy, the former Military administrators plundered the state and left it desolate. With the inception of civilian administration on May 29, 1999 the indigenes thought that a messiah had come to wipe their tears and lay a solid foundation for the development of the state.

Little did they know that their fate would be like that of the Israelites under King Rehobaom. The Military flogged them with whips but the Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration flogged them with scorpions. Hence, no single road was constructed  in the state from 1999 to 2003. Schools were closed for one academic session and   teachers and civil servants salaries were unpaid for several months.

It was an era of godfathers, one from Oraifite and the other from Uga both of whom struggled for the soul of the state. The Governor opened the treasury to them and no meaningful progress was made in the state throughout the period.

It was an era of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO), when millions of naira were deducted from the funds of the state every month for a contract that had no expiry date. No wonder Dr. Mbadinuju was the only Governor whom the PDP denied a second tenure during the 2003 elections.

Then came the Chris Ngige administration. Although he came with a stolen mandate, the sharks and buccaneers could not allow him a breathing space. On his refusal to again open the state treasury to them, the musketeers plotted his removal and, backed by a conniving President who looked the other way, abducted the Governor and made him sign a resignation letter under duress.

The evil men were later to burn down whatever remained of the few public offices in the state capital, again under the close watch of the Police. Whatever infrastructure that was put in place in the state was done by Governor Ngige who apparently had a mission and vision for the state.

His illegal administration was later terminated by the Court of Appeal and Mr. Peter Obi who actually won the 2003 election mounted the saddle. He has improved on the foundation laid by Dr. Ngige and Anambra State has since became peaceful. Mr. Obi has made giant strides in the development of the state despite all the distractions through illegal impeachment and opposition from the elite who no longer have access to the state booty to share among themselves.

There is no doubt that the Almighty God has in his wisdom appreciated that the people of Anambra State have suffered enough and decided that this is the time to bring a brilliant mind, a tried and tested bureaucrat who has seen it all on the national and international scene. In his wisdom he has decided to climb down from his Olympian heights to serve his people.

Having rejected offers of consultancies from international agencies and taken up the gauntlet to contest election for the Governorship of Anambra State, well-meaning indigenes of the state should join the crusade and support him.

Let us rescue our dear state from thugs and arsonists, the barely literate traders and businessmen whose only interest in the politics of the state is ‘business as usual’, looting the state treasury and sharing the spoils of office.

It is common knowledge that more than half of the 49 aspirants for the governorship of the state who paid the 5.2 million naira fee each were sponsored by the same notorious godfather who has sworn that Anambra State will  never have peace except his stooge occupies Government House Awka.

No wonder the only person he found competent to rule the state after sponsoring over 20 aspirants with more than 100 million naira is his brother in law. What a shame, what a humiliation for the people of Anambra State.

How did Anambra State descend to this sorry pass?

This is a call on those of the 49 aspirants who have conscience, who have the interest of Anambra State at heart, who deeply regret the unfortunate state of affairs the politics of the state has been in the past 10 years to sheathe their swords, bury the hatchet and rally round Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. He should be supported to give Anambra State enlightened leadership.

Having attained the rank of Professor before he was 30 years of age, Prof. Soludo appreciates the value of education and cannot toy with the future of our children. As an Economist of repute who revolutionised our banking system, Prof. Soludo will devote his knowledge and experience to making Anambra State’s economy viable, dynamic and self-sustaining.

His major challenge will be refocusing the mind of our  youths from the lure of immediate profit from trading in Onitsha, Lagos, Nnewi and other major markets in Nigeria to a more noble and enduring investment in education. In the long run, we shall all realise that education is the greatest legacy we can ever have and bequeath to our children.

A close study of his manifesto indicates that with the support of the entire indigenes of  the state, Anambra State will under Prof. Soludo become the Japan, the Taiwan and the Dubai of Africa South of the Sahara.

No longer should we allow the affairs of our dear state to be run by only those who see politics as business, who invest billions of naira of ill-gotten wealth in elections and expect to recoup same from the state treasury through their stooges. These people are fighting the last battle of their lives and because it is a battle between Good and Evil, light will eventually overshadow darkness.

The politics of post February 2010 Anambra State  should be played by mature and brilliant minds,  people who discuss issues and not personalities, people who think of providing jobs, not thugs, people who shun violence and enthrone reason and decency in public affairs and discourse . Let us forget the years of the locusts and embrace a new era in Anambra State.

Professor Chukwuma Soludo represents a new face of Anambra politics. We should all join him in creating a new Anambra State. So help us God.

Mr. Okeke writes from Awka, Anambra State.