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Nzeribe not serious about Imo guber race �Anyanwu
Recently, maverick Senator Arthur Nzeribe was reportedly endorsed by traditional rulers in Imo for the 2007 governorship
race in the state. The controversial politician has also been quoted as saying that his senatorial zone, Orlu,
would contest for the governorship race notwithstanding that Governor Achike Udenwa who would have spent eight
years by 2007 is from that zone. Nzeribe�s argument is that the two other zones, Owerri and Okigwe, challenged
Udenwa in 1999 and 2003 when the latter ran for the governorship. But, Chief Longers Anyanwu, National Publicity
Secretary of the influential Okigwe Zonal Organisation (OZO) and chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) disagrees with Nzeribe�s claim and insists that Orlu zone should forget about the governorship race. Importantly,
he tells Group Politics Editor, Felix Ofou that there is no truth in the claim that the maverick is running, adding
that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power and Steel could not have been serious about the ambition. Excerpts:
You were quoted recently as warning Senator Arthur Nzeribe to abandon the governorship project or face imminent
disgrace. Why did you take such a stance?
Well, I think what I did was advising him as it were then. There were speculations that some people were urging
him to come out for 2007 gubernatorial contest in Imo State. What I thought was best for him was to advise him
to desist and reject such a temptation or urge, but from the findings so far, I can confirm to you that it was
a mere fluke. He has no intention; he has no plans of disrupting the zonal arrangement in Imo State, which is in
favour of Okigwe zone.
But you were aware that traditional rulers were at Nzeribe�s house in Oguta to endorse his governorship ambition.
Do you think such a gesture still remains a fluke?
Gestures by traditional rulers, who are not politicians, who are not partisan, majority of them might have been
under intense political manipulations, be it as it may, I think good conscience and judgment is prevailing on the
matter.
Are you saying that those who called the meeting with the decisions passed must have been joking?
I do know that the Orlu Conservative Forum is a pressure group that represents the interest of the zone and a very
important zone for that matter. Anything concerning political consideration must be put into serious consideration
in their zonal interest. Having said that, I think I must only be responding to the demands of present political
reality. I know that whoever wants to be the governor of Imo State must have put into consideration the interest
of Orlu people, enterprising and majority people in Imo State. So to that extent, they have made a very reasonable
impact. It has called the attention of all aspirants; it has called the attention of all the zones that are interested
in the contest that they should not take the interest of other people for granted.
Is it true that the governorship was zoned to Orlu in 1999 and in 2003?
You see by the way it is written, not just by saying, the evidence is there and what has happened buttresses the
fact. You will recall that 20 something years ago, very revered political leader called Mbakwe emerged, and on
the verge of his bidding for second term in 1983, emerged a coup. After that, the next dispensation, in that order,
Orlu took the turn. So it has always been in that sequence between Owerri and Orlu. Even traditionally, that is
how things are shared in Imo State. And it was not difficult for the leaders and elders and founders of the state
to lay that foundation, and that has been working, it had always protected Imo until the military coup took place
and it had made it possible for governance just like Achike Udenwa, who has been in the helm of affairs to have
a very peaceful state to govern. It has never been the part of our history where people out of might or out of
undue manipulations, emerge as leaders. But because these things are well spelt out, that is why there has always
been less tension in the state. Above all, when Udenwa was going for second term, all the local governments, all
the traditional rulers in Orlu led by our political leaders in Orlu, all the traditional rulers in Okigwe led by
the political leaders in Okigwe paid courtesy or solidarity visits to Orlu people telling them that our people
should allow them even though Okigwe have their own sons who, on their own, wanted to be governor. But Okigwe as
a people, Okigwe traditional rulers as a group, political leaders in Okigwe as individuals not only supported Orlu
but they backed the campaign.
So what you are saying that if the people in Orlu, for example, who contested against Achike Udenwa in 2003 were
only chosen just for electoral purpose; they had no intention to win, because they knew they were not going to
win?
Anybody who vies for an election will definitely want to win, that is not what we are saying, but as at the time
the decision is going to be taken, the people will always know from where they will elect their leaders. And I
can assure you that every time election is taking place, people will come from everywhere but at the end of the
day, the people of Imo State, the people who decide who would rule them naturally know who to vote for. So I can
assure you that Imo people know whose turn is it, they even know whom to elect.
I�m sure you are aware that the claim by Owerri is that they were there for less than two years and that Orlu by
2007 would have had eight years. Mbakwe�s second term was cut short, but was there for more than four years, and
Owerri is insisting that they should be allowed to have their term. What is your view about that argument?
I tell you with all honesty that Owerri people have claim, can equally say they have claim, but not Orlu. What
we are saying is that if they are saying that their claim is based on the fact that they were stopped from completing
their first term, they could have made their point in 1999, and finish up. The logic then is that the leadership
of the state agrees that nobody stopped you. You have been given your own chance to produce a governor and you
are stopped. So it was agreed consequently that the Orlu people should produce the governor. If they have strong
case, if their claim is based on these reasons and the reasons are strong, they could have started from 1999, not
now. So, if they could not wait and allow Orlu to take their turn, then they have to wait for their turn to come
again. But all the same, this is a political contest; I am not saying they cannot make claim, but whose claim is
more authentic? Whose claim is more realistic? Whose claim is more documented? That is what we are talking about.
Of course, you were aware that Chief Achike Udenwa was at the meeting of Orlu people where decision was taken for
Orlu people to present a governorship candidate for 2007 and also one for President. Is there anything to back
that endorsement? What is your view?
I don�t have any problem. Governor is the leader of our people in Imo State. Governor is a leader of our party.
Governor by the same token is a leader of Orlu people. I want to say that, at any point in time, the people must
gather at their leaders� place. And a leader that is worth it will not be seen as taking parochial decision or
desire as the case may be. So you don�t hold the governor responsible for the pronouncement, people could gather
there. You pressmen said after all that it was in governor�s place, therefore, the governor has endorsed the claim.
Nobody has said that the governor has endorsed the claim of any candidate from Orlu. So, I sympathise with the
governor for the fact that the meeting was held in his house. At the same time, he is allowed to host the people
in his house. You know the governor will certainly be involved over the election, but the decision of who becomes
the governor is that of the Imo State people, and he had said that much. But the governor alone has a pronounced
position on the Igbo presidency. He has not made any pronouncement on the governorship of Imo State. And we will
wait until he makes the declaration; we cannot hold him responsible for any claim of any group.
I remember you were also quoted as having endorsed Udenwa for presidency. Why did you take such a decision? Is
your position still tenable in the face of current realities?
I recall what I said some months ago when the issue of that struggle came up. There were so many positions. People
were speculating that oh, Achike Udenwa should not be taken seriously. You know, they dismissed him with the wave
of the hand. Then I said no, this man cannot be frivolous, that I know my governor, my governor is a serious-minded
person; that he mentioned that he is interested, people should take him serious, that was what I said. I said if
at all the governor has said that he wants to run is a declaration that must be taken seriously, not as people
are thinking. This is because a two-term governor, a man who has won the politics of redemption since 1978, who
has been a follower of Aminu Kano�s People Redemption Party, so people don�t know him. As far back as1983, the
governor had started running national elections--- federal House of Representatives. So, I said that he is not
a man we can wish away and that a man who has run for governorship two times can become a president.
Your party in Imo State is currently embroiled in crisis. Of course, you are aware that the chairman has been suspended.
There are two panels that have been set up by the National Working Committee of the party, now why did you think
he was suspended and do you think the decision was in order?
Politics is all about struggle, crisis and resolution of crisis, and Imo state is not different from other states
where such problems have arisen and they are solved. Having said that much, the party chairman, Dr. Alex Obi, is
my leader by virtue of his experience and his position in Imo State. I cannot say he is familiar with the circumstances
that are going on, but I pray that it is not a strenuous influence that is responsible for it. And I believe as
a party loyalist that there has to be transparency in different actions that have been taken by any person and
I know that if Alex Obi is innocent, I know the party will exonerate him, but if he is found wanting, there must
be political remedy that is clearly spelt out in the guidelines in the constitution of the party; that is all I
can say because I don�t have the full fact of the matter.
Well, there are things that are parts of why he was removed because he was unlikely to endorse certain candidates,
either for governorship or for other positions. Is there any truth in such insinuation?
We leave the truth to judgement of the panel that will be looking at it. They are to look at the matter and the
material evidence to take the position on it.
Let�s talk about the Igbo presidency projects. Ohanaeze has been at the forefront of the Igbo presidency project,
and there is certainty that the next president of Nigeria come 2007 should be a Nigerian from the Igbo extraction.
Do you think that demand is legitimate and consistent with the current realities?
Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to vie for any position if one is qualified to do so, whether you are
Igbo, whether you are Hausa, whether you are Efik and whether you are from Edo, wherever you come from. Once you
are a good citizen and you have reached the age requirement for the position you are contesting, you are constitutionally
backed to run for it. And given the political situation here, you find out that everybody will want his person
to become the President. But the ultimate demand is that who becomes the next president of Nigeria lies in the
hands of the people. I am an Igbo man, therefore, I am contesting for Ohanaeze, whatever they say must be in my
interest and the Igbo people and Nigeria in general. But beyond that, I am a politician, a partisan politician
who belongs to a political party. I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I cannot lay my support anywhere,
but as an Igbo man, I would be very happy if an Igbo man becomes the President. But what is important is that the
decision of the party is overwhelming in partisan politics. If you want to remain there as a leader of the party,
as a founding member of the party, what I can do now is to join the association of who produces the president and
as soon as that is done, so be it. But I want to tell you that everybody who wants to work under my party should
be encouraged.
I have looked around and seen so many people who have not declared and those who have declared to run as people
who have better experience, better exposure who have what it means, what it requires to win. At any time they are
running, then I will consider myself as an option. But for now, I am not in doubt of the calibre of the qualities
of the forerunners, aspirants of Okigwe who want to be governor, and if by the grace of God, they clinch the ticket,
I will queue up and support them.
Does that mean by the 2007, you will just be a spectator as regards the political game or�?
I will run, and the level we are now is a level of consultation. Our party has declared just as the President of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria has cautioned everybody to allow people who are currently elected to do what they
are elected to do. So I�m consulting, my people know what I�m going to run for, but it is not yet time for us to
start declaring, after all, nobody has declared for anything. So be sure that I will have a position that I will
run for.
But you have not told us a word� you have said that governorship is out of the way for now unless, as it were,
those people you are looking up to fail to take the challenge. But what other position would you likely to be interested
in come 2007?
As you know, 2007 is far for now, even though it�s still near. We are still consulting widely and at all time I
don�t want to ride against the tide. I know that, like I said, I have some people who have already declared interest
in the governorship, at least they have consulted us. I know that some people who are eminently qualified; good
senators there. There are other positions that are left; House of Representatives is there. And I�m a party man,
who strongly believes in party discipline. I�m really looking forward to congresses that are forthcoming, looking
forward to state congresses, and national convention. I really want to be part and parcel as strong member of party
building, because I do know that 2007 will pose a better challenge to all the parties. Other parties will really
want to upset our leadership. And our party must be strengthened to retain the position to perform better. And
in my calculation, I want to be in the centre of it, I want to make sure that the party is strengthened, repositioned
and understood better at the national and at local levels.
So by the time we achieve that by 2005, it will be clearer where I�m going to be. It will be clearer to ascertain
the particular role my people will want me to play �but I tell you, I must run for something starting from 2005,
starting from the national convention. That is why I�m appealing to all the party leaders to plan with caution
and put the interest of the party and nation at heart, so that we don�t rock the boat. The most important thing
as a leader is to make sure that the system does not break down. If it breaks down, everybody pays for it. At the
same time, the leadership must lead with ability; the leadership must have the human face; the leadership must
be responsive to people�s yearnings; the leadership must at all times be in touch with the people, members of the
ruling class, members of the labour, the local people. They have to understand, and they have to agree to whatever
policy of the government.
But the only thing is that they it is not unnatural that there are crises in the polity, but what is important
is how the crises are resolved at all times. And I don�t believe the only way the system can run well is by not
having any opposition. I don�t believe that the only way one can win election is by scrapping everything that is
being set. If you go inside a room to discuss an issue, you disagree to agree, and then move forward. I don�t believe
in politics of rancour. I believe in politics of ideas, I believe in politics of implementation, I believe in the
politics of sincerity, faithfulness and justice, above all.
So this issue of may be somebody says oh this man has done what is not good, or a thing that is against him, what
is important is consistency. Those of us who have been in this party, putting our resources, putting our time risking
our lives, supporting the party even at the lowest efforts are not looking for any contracts whatsoever, rather
we take our only money and invest. That is because when it is time when the fruit is ripe, when the book is written,
history will remember those who have contributed for the liberation of the people politically. From the military
time, we have fought, we insisted that the military should vacate and give chance to democracy. However the system,
we have been consistent, I have been consistent in the party, not because I want to be minister, not because I
want to become governor but because I believe that in a democratic setting where there is peace, stability and
justice, business will thrive. One can do little things he knows how to do best. When you are equipped and exposed,
you have something to do, you will be comfortable doing it. And you will see results. When you become a political
jobber, because if you know you want to be commissioner, if you are not made commissioner, you start saying the
government is not good. You know when you are part and parcel of the making of democracy and making of leadership.
That the governor is there, I�m happy, whether he gives me anything or not. The most important thing is that we
in the party, we the foundation members in the party brought him up, put him there. I want a situation in the future
where the President, when the governor, when everybody who is elected will take instructions from the party, and
that is how we see things moving forward. And that is the problem of Nigeria system. America, we want to be like
America federalism. When we talk of true federalism is a different topic, because everybody in Nigeria wants a
true federalism. What do we mean by true federalism? Giving reasonable autonomy to the federating units. And if
that is done, there will be competition. I am not talking of regionalism. I am not talking of confederation, I
am talking of true federalism where there is a meeting point of all the stakeholders, all the federating units.
They will now compete among themselves to come out good.
Even in politics, even in parties. Who, like right now I am a patron of G88, all the 88wards in my zone, Okigwe
zone, I�m their patron, we fund it, we make sure the membership is contained of average of ten persons, political
leaders from each ward in Okigwe zone. Grass root politics, be in touch with the people, sense or feel what the
people really want. But most of us here because you have power you now become more powerful than the people. I
do that kind of politics, and do politics because I want to be just governor, because I want to have contracts,
I am here because I believe in this country, I am here because I have made my own contributions to the enthronement
of democracy, I am here because I believe strongly that I�m part and parcel of this system, and this system must
work. Anybody who wants to scuttle the system, we�ll expose the person.
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