That awkward moment when the three successive Governors of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Willie Obiano and Charles Soludo found themselves before the altar of God during the 90th birthday of Cardinal Arinze.
They smiled at each other, exchanged customary greetings and official niceties but deep down inside, their hearts are littered with grudges and unresolved animosities of past and present political tussles.
Obi and Obiano may have cast aside their differences, but the Anambra political terrain is still bearing the imprimatur of that explosive godfather and godson cold war that kept them at dagger’s drawn for years. The battle which has kept Obi and his camp out of power in the state since he left office in 2014, is far from over. Although, Obiano succeeded in installing Soludo, another political cage fighter, as his successor, the momentum is now in Obi’s favour to ascend the highest political office in Nigeria, the presidency.
But Soludo is not convinced that OBI should be the first Igbo person to preside over Nigeria. Infact, judging from his recent article and media statements, he prefer to support any of the other candidates jostling for the presidential seat in 2023 instead of Obi. The reason is not far fetched. Soludo, is equally interested in being the president of Nigeria someday.
He may deny it today, the Way Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had been denying his presidential dreams for years until, he eventually hits the ground running. The calculation, in Soludo’s mind is that Obi’s presidency will be a spoiler for him. And so, he will rather scuttle his presidential bid, to boost his chances.
Obi has demonstrated, time and time, that he doesn’t engage in politics of mudslinging. If you throw him dirty, he will spray you perfume, smile and walk away. But of course, he doesn’t forget those who want his downfall. He will make sure he steers clear of you and maintain his lane. That’s probably his dealing with Soludo and Obiano right now.
As for Obiano, now enjoying his new lease of life as an honorary citizen, the ex-excellency, with the hope that Soludo may not pay him back in the same coin he paid Obi, over eight years ago, he is the most likely fellow to have lesser burden in his mind as they sat Inside the Basilica at Onitsha. He may be burdened by the fact that he had not made any public statement in support of the presidential bid of that very man who brought him into politics and made him the governor of a state without asking for anything in return. Like, Soludo, he may argue that Obi overlooked APGA and joined Labour Party after ditching the PDP and that he is bound not to endorse or campaign for candidate of another party. But, his conscience will quickly remind him that it was Obi that rose up and came to his rescue when the EFCC took and treated him like a common criminal and it appeared he was heading to jail. It’s possible that his conscience no longer remembers or remind him of such things. That is why his own burden is less. All he needs is find the right wine that will put him in the right mood and there would be nothing to worry about after all, there’s money somewhere to spend and take care of things he or other members of his immediate families may need. Why worry about Obi or Soludo when he can easily fly out of the country, to anywhere on a short or long vacation in the company of his drama queen, the Osodieme?! And if calculations are right, she may be heading to the Senate soon, where she can lighten up the National Assembly with her own brand of political show-offs.
It must be a strange sight for spectators at the church, looking at the three men that made Anambra what it is today, trying to strike a balance between the drama playing out in their minds/ heart and the ones before them. Thank God they came and left in peace. No exchange of words or punches. It was a fruitful and glorious day for Anambra.
©Olisemeka Sony
