If you wanted to know how fleeting but powerful this thing called “political power” is, please advise Obiano, who just left the seat of the Governor of Anambra State, to invite his friends, relatives, political dignitaries to a send forth dinner.
Also, advise Soludo, the newly sworn-in Governor, to invite the same set of people to a welcome dinner. No one needs an oracle to predict that Willie Obiano’s hall will be empty. His aides, contractors, his private security apparatus, and relations scampering for seats in Soludo’s event.
This simple post-leadership test means that what attracts those sycophantic behaviors of people milling around your abode and calling you Baba! Agu! Ebubedike, etc., is your seat and not you.
Obiano knew life after office would be very lonely.
Hence, he took off to the United States 24 hours after handing over to Soludo to escape the desolation of post-political services, especially inglorious ones. I hope he served his people well. If not, many will pour fuel to increase his travails, and the beads of sweat shall not dry so soon. I heard a former Governor once say to a gathering, “When I shall be in EFCC custody, none of you will be there with me, so leave me to do whatever I like.”
For Soludo, I say welcome to the hot seat. A seat I perceive will be laden with vast debts’ portfolios. Soludo competed to be at his present bus stop many times but failed. It was a tortuous pathway. He almost got killed. So he must use his time to provide a service that will glorify God’s name and put smiles in the faces of Great Anambra People. Yes He Can!
As a former CBN Governor, he needs no counsel. He has been Governor of Governors. So, he knows how good and bad the economy of Anambra State is, yet opted to serve. I beg him in the name of God, he must change the trajectory of using four years to lament on the negatives of Obiano. His service starts counting NOW! He should not waste it. As an economist, a scholar and a former CBN Governor, if Soludo couldn’t make Anambra State the investment destination of Africa, providence and history may not be kind to him.
I pray for him as I pray for myself that life after service in Anambra State will make him the best Governor Nigeria ever had. God giving us life, I hope to write after his first four years a good story of positive accomplishments as no other.
I hope the spirits of the government houses according to St. Reuben Abati shall not change the course of his plans.
Good luck Prof. Grace and peace!!!
