By Tai Emeka Obasi
While witnessing events as Dr Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano was being sworn in as governor of Anambra State on March 17, 2014 at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, my writer’s mind was cooking a book that would have been great service to providence and history.
I could see a story that would have inspired mankind for centuries to come. A story that would have given any human being hope, irrespective of age. A story to have greatly educated mankind of all races. A story that would have made protagonists out of every hitherto dejected.
But it never would be for that great story ended up one great opportunity lost.
I was recalling all the processes leading to that historic moment because, in my capacity, I was truly involved.
It all started sometime in May, 2013, about three weeks to All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA 2013 Gubernatorial primary election. It’s not a common happenstance, but HE Obiano was the only important person I recall meeting the very first day I heard his name for the first time.
One of the most important players in making the coming of Akpokuedike as governor of the great Anambra State, Chief Okey Ezibe had invited me over to Aguleri. It happened that we had one of the numerous appointments in the East with Chief Ezibe. We here means my great friend, Chukwuka Emelionwu, known as Kasvid of blessed memory and I. We drove down from Lagos, called Chief Ezibe, who flew to know exactly where we’d meet – whether in Awka or Awgbu.
“Tai, where are you?” Chief Ezibe asked and continued when he got the answer, “can you find your way to Aguleri?”
“If you want us to, why not?” I returned.
“Then, come straight away to Chief Willie Obiano’s house.”
“Chief who…? ”
“Willie Obiano… once you get to Aguleri, start asking. He’s a popular man. They will direct you. Gasie nu ike,” Chief Ezibe said and hung up.
I turned to Kasvid. We just booked into rooms and we were at his usual choice Room 102 at Golphins Hotel, Awka.
“Do you know any Willie Obiano?” I enquired.
Kasvid shook his head and that meant something. There’s hardly any big name Kasvid didn’t know in Anambra and I used to marvel at that rare ability. But he didn’t know this one. We both heard of and met the man same time, same day.
We found our way to Obiano’s house. Together with Kasvid, we always found our way, however difficult. But this one wasn’t difficult. The man who later became governor was indeed a popular man in his town.
“Tai, you’ve always asked me who would become the next governor of Anambra State after HE Peter Obi…look at him there,” Chief Ezibe said, pointing at Chief Obiano.
We just entered his private living room in his massive residence of which the major one was still under construction.
I was momentarily confused, but the man that invited us over wasn’t one that made such remarks carelessly.
Obiano was sitting and discussing with another man when we entered.
“Akpokuedike, these men, Tai and Kasvid are from the media. But not just your ordinary media. You will need them in this campaign and it’s important you start knowing them now,” Chief Ezibe continued his introduction.
Chief Obiano sprang to his feet very sharply, shook hands with us, said complimentary things and we took some 10 minutes talking this and that. Only five of us in that private living room.
The three of us (Obiano, Kasvid and I) later took a picture outside while the one who later became governor was briefly seeing us off.
Immediately we entered the car I opened up.
“What’s going on? What about His Honour Oseloka Obaze?”
“Are you asking me?” Kasvid returned and we drove back to Awka.
Later that day we met with Chief Ezibe at Cosmilla Hotel. He took nearly two hours lecturing us on the politics of the moment and the heavy prize to pay for Chief Maxi Okwu losing the Chairmanship tussle to Chief Victor Umeh in court.
If it was not coming from a man as respected as we did respect Chief Ezibe, I would have lost my cool. I saw the danger of bringing a complete neophyte to replace a governor like Okwute. I kept asking what would happen to OHO. But Chief Ezibe repeatedly consoled, there was nothing anyone could do about it except dance to Umeh’s tunes if Okwute wanted to hand over as APGA governor.
Back at our hotel, I couldn’t sleep. I was not a politician and never one now. I had taken real time to research and study OHO and had zeroed my mind on the fact that he was a perfect personality that would continue from where Obi would hand over. How come a mere national chairman of a party could be that powerful?
Later that morning, around 5.00 a.m, I went to Google, typed in Dr Willie Obiano and started researching.
• Obasi is from Anambra state