Commentary: Why Governor Obiano Deserves The Support Of Ndi Anambra

^{WRITTEN BY EJIKE ANYADUBA}
It is not so much for any outstanding physical attributes of Governor Willie Obiano which are lacking in the other candidates. No, not at all! Like the rest, 

he also has no claim to any feat that will make him excel in that office without the support of Ndi Anambra.   
However, unlike the others, Obiano is not a newcomer on the job. He has acquired sufficient knowledge, enough, to afford him a clearer vision on statecraft. Fair enough, he has not disappointed in the three and half years he has borne the responsibilities of the office. If nothing else, he was able to make the country-wide temporary economic decline almost a mirage in the state. More than that, he has also brought security. This, admittedly, gives him a competitive edge over others. 
This is not to say that others would perform any less if they had the opportunity. But the times are grave and do not encourage any manner of trial. The consequence, without much emphasis, would be a dice with death. Being differently constituted and of varied political affiliation, it is difficult to expect hundred percent support for the governor.
However, Akpokuedike’s re-election offers the state relative advantage. One, it presents the South and Central senatorial districts quicker access to power. Two, it ensures seamless transition, conserves funds and sustains rather than disrupt development. Three and perhaps the greatest advantage is that it will deepen the existing security structure and have it entrench in the state.  
Often, people take the security of life and property in the state for granted. But that is a good deal of disservice, judging from where we were coming from. There is no denying the fact that security is the greatest gift a state can give her citizens. To gamble away this gift out of partisanship is like cutting off one’s nose to spite the face. History will be most unkind with such indiscretion. Note how devastating crime has been in other states. Just few days ago, a Catholic priest was kidnapped and murdered in a neigbouring state. This is one out of many of such stories told everywhere. Even Lagos, with her rising profile as one of the foremost states, is not spared the menace. 
To underscore the weight of the crime, kidnap was made a capital offence in Anambra. No doubt, all the achievements of the state in virtually every sector would have come in vain had the Obiano regime played the security game by ear. Engaging the criminals early in the administration through structured plan greatly conduced to the peace and development in the state today.  
We would still recall the ravages of crime in the state. How costly it was to everybody. How lack of proper planning in tackling the menace brought about militarization. Unarguably, the introduction of the unorthodox security outfit, the Bakassi, brought about proliferation of small arms in the state. The direct effect of which was the inglorious abduction of the then governor and burning of our patrimonial inheritance. Following from there were cases of mindless armed robberies and kidnaps. Needless to say that hostage-taking was almost endemic in the state until recently. 
The experiences of the dark days are still within living memory and unworthy of reliving. To guard against possible relapse, Ndi Anambra should better listen to the confession of a Bakassi operative at a church in Lagos.  After listening to the confession, we would see reason why our state should be protected from relieving the odious experience. 
Sometimes in 2003, at one of the Pentecostal churches in Lagos, a plain looking young man sauntered to the podium to give a testimony. Shorn of histrionics associated with such exercise he mounted the dais. Staid and exuding no contrition befitting the confession he was to make he declared his guilt and seemed purged of them.  
As he began, he gave details of his gory exploits in Anambra state. The man was a security operative – a member of the defunct Bakassi boys – that held Anambra state in their palm for close to four years. He told the congregation how he coordinated the business of arresting and killing of suspected criminals and their accomplices; the gory details of how every victim was dispatched. The high point of his confession was the arrest and killing of the alleged kingpin of the criminal ring. How the man was arrested after several failed attempts; whisked away to Ochanja road intersection in Onitsha, and slaughtered in public glare. He was quick to add, however, that the group’s invincibility derived from being sworn to about seven deities, and ably led by a powerful, but physically challenged spiritualist.
The confession mirrored the decay in Anambra state at the dawn of this democracy. What this means is that we must be particular in endorsing a candidate who is minded to keep the state ahead of others in security and development. It is hoped that the electorate would be bold enough to acknowledge the truth, stand with security and vote for Obiano.