By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Sometimes, it takes attacks and challenges to weigh the strength of a man in the face of battle, especially in politics. That was the lot of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who before his entrance into the murky waters of Anambra politics was a political neophyte but a successful banker.

His first tenure as governor was bereft of notable achievements apart from security, which he gave his all and the end result was a secured state with minimal crime. To this end, Anambra State was referenced as the safest state in Nigeria.

As a result of the abysmal record of achievements, opposition parties saw it as a loop hole for a walk over during the November 6, 2021 governorship election in the state.

Little did they know that the governor was saving the best for the last, to give his party a smooth ride to victory.

At the moment, Obiano is working on delivering three legacy projects which include a stadium, International Conference Center and an international airport that has already carried a flight landing test. Full operation of the airport is expected in July this year.

The three flight test landing at the International Cargo and Passenger Airport Umueri, Anambra State may have come at the nick of time when the state is preparing to usher in a new government and the ouster of the old.

Before the epoch making event on April 30, 2021, there were doubts in different quarters that the airport may end up a mirage like with the past administrations of Peter Obi and Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju who was the initiator of the idea.

But Governor Obiano remained aloof and proved the doubting Thomases wrong with the unveiling of the international standard edifice that was put in place without dipping hands inside the state coffers.

No doubt the legacy project has etched the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on top of the chart and created double jitters in opposition political camps.

The opposition parties were still trying to come to terms with the declaration of interest to contest the election by former Central Bank Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, when the bigger drum sounded at the ninth hour.

There is no doubting the fact that Soludo’s pedigree and impeccable curriculum vitae stands him as the best hand in the mix, but this achievement by APGA government coupled with the incumbent backing has doubled his lead.

For now, the hope of opposition parties using the smear campaign of “uncompleted or abandoned” projects to leap their strength have been put to bed while APGA coasts home to victory.

Perhaps, is good to say that APGA has a way with strategy as history appears to be repeating itself. Recall that it was Peter Obi’s achievements on ground that gave him the second tenure baton as well as the leverage to hand over power to an APGA successor.

Suffice it to say that, it takes two to gamble but takes the smarter to win the price. APGA as a political party has interestingly sunk its claws into the system, so much so that pushing it out of Agu Awka government House may require extra vigour, hard work and more intelligent strategy.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be a party of the masses, but they appear to have continuously put the wrong foot at the wrong time since the ouster of former Governor Chris Ngige. The endless bickering in the party also appears to be eating deep in their wheel of success. So far, 16 people have been cleared to contest the primary elections of the party and end the result may again be another round of prolonged bickering, back stabbing and anti-party activities.

But, for APGA, it’s more like a family business: “Let’s agree to disagree.” The unity and understanding of the major players of the Igbo party is unrivalled.

Even in times of crisis, the party has a way of cleaning up after itself without washing any of its dirty linen in public. Governor Obiano on his part as the chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT) of the party has also played his role well by ensuring that even if it’s five people in the party, unity and focus for victory will always prevail. His strength was tested during his second term election. Like a Spartan boy, he held sway and came out with a clean sheet of twenty one over twenty one.

His style of dribble and mathematical know how sent opposition parties to sleep so much so that none contested his victory, rather, the opponents in unison congratulated and wished him well.

Every contest must have players, hence, opposition parties cannot just chicken out of the ring for fear of losing. After all, there must be a winner and a loser.

However, APGA need to handle the stirred water arising from Senator Victor Umeh’s open declaration of Soludo as the party’s candidate without waiting for the conduct of the party’s primary election may throw a spanner in the wheel of its success if not well handled.

For now, fate seems to be once more smiling in the direction of APGA. Will Governor Obiano close his reign with another round of intimidating victory for the party? Time will tell.

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