By James Eze
This is not a great time to be in the opposition in Anambra State.
The show of strength in Isuofia yesterday is capable of forcing most of the struggling politicians lining up for the November 6 gubernatorial election to rethink their decisions. The show in Isuofia was a classic case of “imakwa ka anyi si kwado?”
Rising from the doubts and confusion created by some power-mongering elements in the party through the judiciary, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has demonstrated once again why the coming Anambra election is a no contest. The event was the conferment of a chieftancy title on Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, by his Isuofia hometown.
The cerebral economist and former CBN governor is widely expected to win the coming election as the candidate of APGA. But to set out on the path of victory, the world renowned economist needed the blessing of his community; a kind of enduement which places an unseen halo of success over his head.
But showing an incredible presence of mind and disarming guile, the leadership of the party had turned the solemn send-forth ceremony into an intimidating statement of intent. A stratagem that sought to deflate the opposition’s Dutch courage before they began to take themselves too seriously for their own good.
It is no secret that no candidate in the Anambra poll can stand next to Chukwuma Soludo pound-for-pound. None of his challengers has his brain power, his global renown or his streak of achievements. None has his erudition, sense of mission or charisma. And well…if it still needs to be said; none of Soludo’s challengers has the backing of the most formidable political machinery in Anambra State.
It is therefore easy to see why every possible obstacle has been thrown at Soludo since he emerged as the candidate of the ruling party in the state. The battle has been fought from Awka to Jigawa and some of the most unlikely places where courts sit in Nigeria. But in the end, the victory of good over evil is always certain.
For when the best candidate stands on the platform of the best party machinery, only God can stop him.
• Eze, an award-winning poet is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obiano.