By James Eze
If there is ever a time when democracy appears to prolong the realization of the people’s wish, it is the current Anambra gubernatorial election where a Chukwuma Soludo must run against candidates who are no match to him before he can assume leadership of his people. If elections were not a democratic necessity, even his fiercest rival would give him the position on merit.
But here we are; going through the rigors of electioneering, pretending that someone less prepared for the job might win. It is saddening. Very saddening!
Not only has Prof Soludo been widely accepted as a genius in his field and beyond but if as James Carville said in Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992, “it’s the economy stupid,” for the Anambra election, then it becomes a moral imperative to have someone of his caliber provide leadership at a time when economic survival is the ultimate test for Nigerian states. In 1992, Carville was merely throwing up a memorable phrase to underpin the importance of electing someone who had more competence to revive America’s flagging economy, but in 2021, his fancy phrase carries even a weightier meaning for Anambra State at the moment.
And this is why; the question to ask is why should Anambra crawl when she can fly? There’s no enlightened Nigerian who does not know the inherent possibilities of Anambra State. In fact, Anambra has been a metaphor for dreams that appear reluctant to come true for many years. Most Nigerians know what Anambra should be and is not. Indeed, it was not until Peter Obi pointed at what was possible and Willie Obiano punched a big hole on the wall of that possibility and framed it in gold for all to see, that Anambra began to see a vague vision of her own strength. A world class international airport, a game-changing convention center, a vibrant SME sector, a most modern agricultural sector, a globally competitive education sector and a thriving sub national economy point an unwavering finger in that direction.
In truth, anyone who visited Anambra eight years ago will not miss the impressive changes on the landscape. No great leader leaves the landscape the way he met it. Obiano has changed Anambra in ways that will not be forgotten easily. It is not just in the aspect of building major infrastructure but in re-awakening the well known Anambra drive for excellence. There’s a growing belief among Ndi Anambra that their famed success abroad can take firm roots at home. And that is the second battlefield a leader must win. He must be able to kindle self-belief and influence the people to desire excellence. Obiano has laid a great foundation in that.
And if Obiano’s success must be sustained, Anambra must vote Chukwuma Soludo. Not only is Soludo’s economic competence needed now but his gift of the imagination will carry Anambra to a new phase of greatness. In Albert Einstein’s own words, “imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.” It is a huge blessing to have a leader with a gift of the imagination. He can dream incredible scenarios into existence. That was exactly what Soludo did with the banking reforms and the re-imagination of Nigeria’s financial landscape. In the Anambra scenario, he has already started with symbols. Symbolism is a good place to start a lasting movement. Folks who have noticed Soludo’s choice of Akwette fabrics of different patterns and designs should know what it signifies. Soludo is seeking to rekindle those things that once made Ndigbo great. He is asking us to look inwards, to rediscover ourselves. Akwette fabrics are handwoven textile materials of exceptional quality produced in the town of Akwette in Abia State. It is to the Igbo what the Kente is to Ghanaians. But no Igbo political leader has ever made serious efforts to develop that economic and cultural heritage to the benefit of our people. The intrinsic message of Soludo’s choice of Akwette designs as his campaign clothes is clear as daylight. Only Chukwuma Soludo could have remembered Akwette!
Another important item in Soludo’s manifesto that we must not look away from is his commitment to build a homeland for Ndi Anambra. The concept of a homeland has been a big theme for the Igbo for ages but no political leader has approached it with the intentional definition of Soludo. The Igbo needs a great homeland. A restless sword returns to the scabbard. Among the Igbo, Ndi Anambra are probably the most widely traveled. The question is after all the success abroad achieved by dint of hard work and surviving incredible odds, where does the Igbo return in triumph? Every election year, the Igbo across Nigeria is reminded that he is a settler whose presence is an incredible act of tolerance by his fellow citizens. The mass drowning in the lagoon threat by the Oba of Lagos makes a memorable case for an Igbo homeland. It is embarrassing that after that threat and Fashola’s deportation of some Igbo people before it, no Igbo political leader has taken the idea of an Igbo homeland seriously until now. If not that the Igbo is a wild flower that grows best in hostile territories, we should all be justifiable failures.
So, there is a sense in which Soludo’s envisaged victory in the Anambra poll is a victory for Ndigbo. It is probably the first time since the Biafran War that the Igbo would have the best among them seek a political office from where his impact would be felt by all. The last time we had such a chance was when Sam Mbakwe ruled Imo State, and lately, Willie Obiano’s remarkable remaking of Anambra. But many discerning observers would wager that Chukwuma Soludo’s impact will be more transcendental than all post war Igbo leaders and more. He is sure to spark up the fire that will light up the pathway to Igbo renaissance!
And that is why Ndi Anambra have their work cut out for them this Saturday. They must prove to the world that merit can survive in Igboland. They must save us the bitter taste of not giving the best man a chance. They owe it to Ndigbo to give Chukwuma Soludo a chance!
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