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Since July 10, 2003 when governance in
Anambra State went to the dogs, politics in that part of the country has
constantly defied party order – in short, it has become mercenary
politics, so to speak.
Recall that this same Anmabra State house
of assembly claimed it received the resignation of the then Chief
Executive of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, and there and then passed a
resolution mandating the chief judge of the state to swear in the deputy
governor, Chief Okay Udeh, to take over as the Chief Executive
The political events that followed,
consumed Eucharia Azodo led house leadership. The current speaker, Mike
Belonwu an accomplished confederate of Christ Ngige?, and the proposed
beneficiary of the current impeachment move against the current Chief
Executive of the State and his deputy; took over as the speaker of the
house till today. Nigerians were later entertained to what could be
called legislative rascality by Belonwu led house leadership, when they
completely expunged the resolution on the resignation letter of Dr.
Chris Ngige which they received from their book(s). Belonwu led house of
assembly did not however, inform Nigerians of the fate of the letter
they received on July 10 2003- whether the letter was dumped as a result
of forgery or what?
As if the 360o U-turn on the
resolution on Ngige’s resignation letter was not enough, they handed
down on indefinite suspension to the former speaker, Eucharia Azodo,
whose fate till date, this writer could not ascertain. From then on, the
state assembly in partnership with the governor of the state then, Dr
Chris Ngige, fought the leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to
stand still? Political analysts are quick to opine that the relationship
between Ngige led PDP government in Anambra state and national
leadership of the party was not healthy for party politics and
discipline and accordingly advised that efforts should be intensified by
the governor towards normalizing relationship with PDP leadership. In
short, they believed that the actions of Hon Belonwu led Anambra State
house of assembly and Chris Ngige, were pure anti-party activities.
It did not take long before the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), dismissed Dr. Chris Ngige from PDP for
anti-party activities. Till Dr.Chris Ngige was finally shown the way out
of Anambra state government house, through court Judgment arising from
election petition from All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] candidate,
Peter Obi, his dismissal was not rescinded by the party.
Experts in power politics in Anambra State
have reasoned that should Governor Peter Obi be shown the way out of
Awka, arising from the latest impeachment move, PDP would have played
into the hands of its greatest enemies with Hon. Mike Belonwu as the
anchor man. The mere fact that Belonwu led Anambra State House of
Assembly has not officially told Nigerians the reason behind the
wholesale dumping of the resignation letter they received on July 10,
2003; is acceptance of morally bankrupt Ngige leadership in Anambra
State by Belonwu led house of assembly?. It however, appears Ngige and
Company are planning a classical takeover of political affairs in
Anambra State via this carefully orchestrated impeachment move against
Governor Peter Obi. According to political pundit, PDP will eventually
lose at the end of the impending titanic battle.
There is nothing politically wrong with
the impeachment of Governor Peter Obi and his deputy, if they have
committed impeachable offences, but in doing that, the beneficiary of
the office should not be Hon. Belonwu based on his anti-democratic
antecedents? It is therefore the candid opinion of experts that Belonwu
led Anambra State House of Assembly leadership should be shown the way
out first then, Governor Peter could now be impeached otherwise the
after effect could be catastrophic to the overall interest of PDP.
Pronouncement:
now that PDP has elected to transform itself from “election- winning
machine to an agenda setting party”, it must show by action to rational
Nigerians that the current slogan is not mere rhetoric by first,
insisting that Anambra State house of assembly, comprehensively clears
the air on the status of the resignation letter of Dr. Christ Ngige
which they received on July 10 2003. They [Anambra State assembly] must
be compelled to tell Nigerians whether Ngige resignation letter was
forgery or not. If in their view, the letter was forgery, they should
reconcile their position with that of Ngige who said he signed at gun
point. If on the other hand, they agree with Ngige’s position, of
resigning under duress, should they have allowed Ngige to remain in
office when it is realized that only court of competent jurisdiction
could determine the correctness of Ngige position while out of office as
the issue is not Ngige as a person, but the Sacred office of the
executive governor of Anambra State.
National Judicial Commission [NJC], on the
other hand, should tell informed Nigerians the reason[s] behind the
recommendation they forwarded to Presidency for the dismissal of justice
Egbo-Egbo; who ruled that the resignation letter before him was that of
Dr. Christ Ngige and therefore, asked him to vacate office. Was
Egbo-Egbo legally correct on this score; when it is acknowledged that
Ngige said he actually signed resignation letter but----?
Emeka Oraetoka
Information Management Consultant
Opined from Abuja
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