By VALENTINE OBIENYEM

Chatham House in Central London is a place where the best rub minds in a rarefied atmosphere. It has continued to host personalities interested in governing states, where their knowledge about policy and emerging developmental trends are gauged. This iswhatinformsaquestion session even after a written speech has been delivered.

As I contemplate Obi’s road to Chatham House, I rememberanIgbo folk song about a crooked man, who married a crooked wife, beget crooked children and walked along crooked paths, so that everything about himwascrooked. Crookedness is whatdefines the nature of men Obi is contesting against. They represent thejejuneNigeria of the pastthatNigerians, young and old, are queuing behind Obi to supplant from the Nigerian political field for their colossal damage to thenation.

In their characteristic crookedness, they planned to embarrass Obi in London. Who else read an open letter that was widely circulated on social media platforms?The letter was a warning to Mr. Obi not to visit London,not to talk of Chatham House.Checks proved the authenticityof the contents of the letter.

Some people who performed woefully guessed rightly that if allowed, Obi would shine. Steeped in crookedness and mischief, they tried to stop him. However, they failedmournfullybecause they were dealing with a man whoselife is defined by integrity.

After all wassaid and done, Obi was in London at Chatham House on Monday, the 16^thof January, 2023. His performance proved that those who wanted to stop him did not have the moral force to do so.

As he was being introduced by Dr. Alex Vines, the Director of African Programme, his confidence and looks bespoke a mind serene, erect, and firm. Kingsley Anajemba (Aluta Panorama), who came all the way from Manchester and seated beside me asked a question:“I hope our man will bubble with ideas as usual ?”

Now, let usrecallObi’s performance at Chatham House, where he inhaled cold and exhaled wisdom. His speechwasan interesting narrative, not fatiguing andinstrange tongues, but a clear and flowing stream, sparkling now and then with substance of governance.

He built the speech around the theme of the engagement:“Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: a Vision for Policy Change and Institutional Reforms.”He could be reliedon to say something whenever he spoke.

Obi startedwiththe foundations of the problems of the country by tracing the rootsthus:“The Nigerian state is captive to an elite gang-up and a rentier political economy that has concentrated political power in the hands of those who came to power and influence mainly through their own contrivances and not through the affirmation of the people, and therefore, do not have the incentive to serve the people’s interest.It is the capture of the State that has led to the problems she faceson all fonts. On the insecurity and economicfronts, he said:“We have alarming insecurity that has led toloss of many lives and properties, significant decline in food and economic output,immense trauma that has compromised the mental health of communities, and in some cases, irredentistpressuresand disaffection with the Nigerian project.The economy is in crisis with a troubling debt profile worsened by oil theft of proportion once hard to even imagine, two economic recessions in six years and a lamentable power sector that significantly constrains manufacturing and social life.”

Thecontinued economic decline of Nigeria has led to widespread poverty in the realm. Using statistics,Obiexplained to the audience how poor Nigerians are:“How did we (Nigeria) plunge into such economic decline that we have overtaken India as home to the biggest pool of the absolute poor in the world? While the poverty rate in India is about 16%, that of Nigeria is about 63% with about 133 million Nigerians classified as multi-dimensionally poor.”

Peter Obiwas evidently appalled by what could be termed the mutation of morals and manners among politicians, when he spoke of the need to maintain ethical standards and introducing positive values into governance by exploiting one’s rich upbringing. His words:“In many ways, this is at the heart of my remarks today which are deeply rooted in my upbringing, particularly my mother’s counsel that I live a life of positive impact and manage both personal and public resources most prudently for sustainable/inclusive growth and development of the society. It is the principle that guided my stewardship as Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria and led to ourmuch-commended performancewith some priced awards to show for it. Some oftheawards were for outstanding accomplishment in keyMillenniumDevelopment Goals(MDGs) now Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the same counsel and principle that is guiding and motivating me to offer to serve in a New Nigeria!”

On what could beregardedas the second part of his speech,Obiintroduced his running mate, and an economist respected for hissuaveresourcefulness, Sen. Datti Ahmed. The business of restoring the glory of Nigeria would be a joint effort. Obi gave a little insight, including the colour of their Cabinet:“Senator YusufDattiBaba-Ahmed, my running mate, and I are committed to a new politics that starts with the ethics of servant-leaders and anchored on the marriage of clean hearts andskillfulhands.”

Noting what disunity has done to the country, and that the strongest incentive to cohesiveness is internal unity, Obiexpressed his commitment:“To secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency, and unite our dear nation to manage our diversity, such that no one is left behind”.

Oninsecurity, he implied that bad times accentuatethatphenomenon. The arm ready to strike is always held back by the abundance and watchfulnessof the Police. Here, he promises far-reaching reforms. He hopes to achieve it“by pursuing a robust reform of the security governance structure with a strong coordinating mechanism that assures that all levels of government –Federal, State, and Local(with 3-level policing structure) – are aligned with strong collaboration with partners from both the privatesector and development groups to provide the required services and deliver results for every Nigerian. Once this is done, it is also important to have a single, clear, coherent, and consistent communication system to keep the government accountable, citizens engaged and involved in the development process. It is important for institutions to be able to provide strong leadership, coordination capability, partner and engage collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders in an environment that mutually reinforces values.”

Peter Obiis not happy with Nigeria’s mono-economy. He lamentsthe criminality of subsidyandoil theft as resting on the fact thatas Nigeria istoday, only oil flowsinher economic arteries. He consequently insists that he“will moveNigeria from a country of rent-seekers sharingOil receipts and consuming conspicuously, to one that produces, based on vast factor endowments whose value-chains can move ustowards a high employment economy.”

Heforeseesan agricultural revolution too, and dreams of a country in which agriculture shall be given the attention it deserves as one of thepivots aroundwhich the shift from consumption to production shall rotate. Hear him:“The second plank of my policy thrust is to ‘Shift emphasis from consumption to production by running a production-centeredeconomy that is driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization’. With about 70 million hectares of arable land, we will pursue an agricultural revolution through proper segmentation of Nigeria to activate and harness the factor endowments of different parts of the country for both rapid and mechanized agricultural development and as a pillar for Nigeria’s other sectoral development and industrialization. We will incentivise and invest inagro-cluster and industrial cluster development across our geo-resource zones to take advantage of agglomeration and scale effects particularly in North-West,North-Eastand North-Central regions of Nigeria.We will dredge both Rivers Niger and Benue, build dams and massively support the planting of economic trees across the country for local usage, poverty elimination,exportand revenue generation.”

Obi is a product of the rule of law. He was the first person toassume office as a State Governor through the court process to retrieve his stolen mandate. It wasalsothrough the courts that he returned from impeachment and had his full tenure. His marriage to the rule of law always playsa key part in his political life. As President, he says he would“Restructure the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms to entrench the rule of law, aggressively fight corruption, reduce cost of governance, and establish an honest and efficient civil service“.

The world talks in terms of Artificial Intelligence, robotics and all the marvels of the time. Here, the world has left us behind, buttheObi/ Datti presidency will be desirous of catching up.In his words,“The fourth plank of our governance priorities is to ‘Leapfrog Nigeria into the 4^thIndustrial Revolution through the application of scientific and technological innovations to create a digital economy’.Building onthegains of the agriculture-led manufacturing and export, we will pursue the development of knowledge and skills to leverage on the emerging disruptive digital technologies, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, block chain technology, biotechnology anddata science – all of which are at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution.”

Understanding the effect of transportation and power on economies of the world, and how the comatose state of both militateagainsteconomic development in Nigeria, he offered a blueprint:“The fifth plank of our governance priorities is to ‘Buildexpansive infrastructurefor efficient power supply, rail, road and air transportation, and pipeline network, through integrated public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial public sector governance.’Our solution to the perennial power problem in Nigeria is a comprehensive one that covers transmission, distribution,generationand financing as detailed in our Manifesto. However, we will immediately complete the $2.3billionNigeria-Siemens network improvement deal to achieve 7,000 MW stable capacity by the end of this year (2023), 11,000 megawatts by 2024, and 25,000 megawatts by 2025. We will support local manufacturing capacity of power technologies and encourage and expand local R&D in universities, training centres, and workshops through whichmany jobs willbe created.”

Asthe Governor of Anambra State, education was among Obi’s strongest points. He would replicate what he did in Anambra at higher levels. Here, he did not speak in tongues: “Our 6^thpriority programme is to‘Enhance the human capital of Nigerian youths for productivity and global competitiveness through investment ineducationand research, quality healthcare, and entrepreneurship education.’The World Bank's Human Capital Development Index ranks Nigeria 168 out of 173 countries. To move Nigeria right to the top bracket of the index, we will pursue a Marshall plan-type programme on education that incorporates compulsory technical andvocational skills, sports, entrepreneurship, programming, and digital skills from the primary to the secondary level. In line with this commitment to transform our educational sector, we will prioritize the funding of this critical sector. Our tertiary institutions will be remodelled to serve as hubs or centres for research, development, and commercialisation of ideas for the quick industrialization of Nigeria.”

Governing a State is quite different from governing a country; as the latter deals with external relationsand international diplomacy. It is not as simple as we imagine. Many factors affect this, which prompted one man to say that nations weigh words by counting guns. But Nigeria has to start from the basics, hence Obi said: “Finally, our 7^thpriority is to conduct an Afro-centric diplomacy that protects the rights of Nigerian citizens abroad and advances the economic interests of Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in a changing world”.

After the speech camequestion time. I think it was more of a debate as exciting and as fascinating as a tournament.Obi’sagile intellect grasped the questions hungrily. All thequestions asked were expertly answered. He was never at a loss for an illuminating comparison or arresting phrase.

The moment they asked him about security and how he would tackle it,it was easy to see how worriedthe issuehas agitated him. This was confirmed by a worried look that darkened and ridged his face around the rubicund nose. Who is not worried about the spateof insecurity in the country?

After his own appearance, Obi and his team went into meetings, evaluating what was done and reviewing all questions. He held six meetings with other groups the same day.

On the contrary, after his own appearance at Chatham House, theold man of strangetonguesentertained his entourage in bibulous hilarity. Watching his dance steps, onewould think he had discovered a hidden truth. By such indulgences, he provides raw materials for his “abuse” as he called it only to turn around and complain about the caricatures ofsatirists.

By his every step, Obi has proved his preparedness for the job. Age being on his side, he would absorb readily, unlike others, the drain the arduous task of governance will make upon his resources of body, mind and will. More than others he understands the country and her problems better. More still, he has never been part of the problem. This is why each time he speaks about Nigeria, he is so plain and truthful that they affect that catharsis of emotion that even set some crying. Many cried at Chatham House.

From his speech, all we can do now is to console Nigerians and inform them that with Obi and Dattiinthe race, promising meteors haveentered and are poisedto alterthe political orbit.

•Obienyem, Media Aide to Obi, writes from Abuja.