Eagle_Eye_Reports

ANAMBRA: 2010 AND THE LIMITS OF PROPAGANDA

By all standards, Anambra is a peculiar state. It is a state where the best in Nigeria are often seen as well as a state where the worst of Nigerian politics is equally often seen. Since, the creation of the state in 1991, the state has been host to events both bizarre and the extra-ordinary. Anambra is a state where truly, the good, the bad and the ugly are seen in abundance.

The fifth republic has been tumultuous in Anambra State. It all started with political war among the godfathers both within and outside the state to entrench their suzerainty by imposing who becomes the governor of the state in 1999. Prof A.B.C. Nwosu seemed to be coasting him to victory. All of a sudden, the wise godfathers appeared from nowhere and declared that Anambra State was not yet ripe for a professorial rule. Pronto, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju became the governor of Anambra State. Since that fateful substitution, neither a governor of the state nor a godfather has known peace.

The ills and gains of the Mbadinuju administration are known to history. Mbadinuju did not disappoint when it came to the fireworks of propaganda. “It shall be well with Anambra State”. This was his favorite slogan. Yet the state was literally collapsing. While students could not go to school for a whole year, “Evangelist” Mbadinuju was at his best – dishing out gospel propaganda to all who cared to listen. Is there a limit to propaganda in Anambra State?

At the turn of 2003, it was clear that Mbadinuju was no longer saleable. There arose another powerful propaganda: to unite all the Igbo states in a pan-Igbo political party. With Biafran sentiments strong in the air, Ndi Anambra massively voted for Mr. Peter Obi. Of course, Peter Obi did not disappoint in the department of propaganda. He raised the rhetorical question “Anambra: are we the cause or cursed?” What is more? With the background of crass insecurity of the Mbadinuju era, Obi declared, “I will fight crime with jobs”, I will build an industry every 100 days”

Fortunately for the state (with the benefit of hindsight) Ngige appeared from nowhere and became the governor of the state. As a commentator aptly put it, “even if the P.D.P had fielded a goat as its gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State in 2003, that goat would surely emerge the governor of Anambra State” Our votes simply did not count. Thereafter, Obi embarked on titanic legal battle to reclaim his mandate.

By design or by fate, Ngige changed the face of governance in Anambra State. He radically changed the mode of propaganda. By embarking on massive construction of roads in the state, Ngige literally tarred his way into the heart of Anambra State. For once, people saw that the state could pay workers as at when due and still build infrastructures. The greatest achievement of the Ngige administration was the raising of the parameters of governance in Anambra State. Though petite in nature, Ngige was a genius in the art of propaganda. What Napoleon did with arms, Ngige surpassed with propaganda. He effectively demonized Chief Chris Uba, the man who admittedly, made him a governor. Despite being rejected by the people at the polls, Ngige eventually warmed himself into the hearts of the people. He literally became a hero.

When Peter Obi reclaimed his mandate in 2006, people welcomed him with so much goodwill. The expectations where so high. Obi was expected not only to continue the works started by Ngige, but also to actually surpass him. It appeared however, that Obi was much more interested in acronyms. Thus the state embarked on a large-scale marketing of an acronym called ANIDS. The fireworks of propaganda rent the political space. A litany of explanations became readily available. The rains prevented the construction of roads. Insecurity prevented the local government elections. The house of assembly caused instability. Unemployed graduates should exercise patience. Everything is in the pipeline. The government has plans. Overnight, gigantic billboards dotted every strategic location in the state. There is a billboard, nay two celebrating the clearing of a blocked gutter! Projects were advertised in pamphlets, almanacs and newspapers. Ngige became a readymade scapegoat on the lips of government propagandists. Diatribes became government’s frequent gifts to Ngige on the airwaves of the state run media. How words can stand solid works remains to be seen.

Ahead of 2010 even streetlights that have never shone since Obi’s administration were beautifully painted. Painting the lights with APGA color for sure was much more important than making the lights work! Perhaps, the greatest achievement of the Peter Obi administration is the elimination of the politics of godfatherism in Anambra State. Obi has complete control of both the state and his political party. This further heightens the expectations the people. What Ndi Anambra keep wondering at is why billboards are not being erected in nearby Enugu State and not so far away Lagos where serious gigantic development projects are going on without a noise. While the people of Enugu complain that contractors are too fast in the execution of their projects, Ndi Anambra keep praying and hoping for when a yearlong dry season could come so that the few roads under construction could be completed. Indeed, there are limits to propaganda.

With 2010 around the corner, the fireworks of propaganda once more bestride the political space. The race is tough indeed. Accusations and counter accusations are already donning the pages of newspapers and magazines. But the truth of the matter is that demagogy can never work in Anambra State again. Indeed, there are limits to propaganda.

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