Anambra State: Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah & Politics Of Numbers, By Tobenna Obiano.

"Where a man's treasure is, there his spirit, body and soul definitely are!" This is one thing that defines the person of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, and often which often makes me to get back to discussing him. I will expatiate on this later.

No matter what anyone thinks, feels acts or says, there are things we may never change. We may choose to cushion our mind and thoughts to half truths and lies, but deep down within us, and from our subconscious and conscience, we know the truth.

It is therefore only fair and right, that when wrong is done, we stand and note it quite clearly, speaking up against same, and pushing to right the wrong. Fact remains, you cannot beat a child and also try to stop the child from crying. It doesn't happen. Action begets reaction; that's just the way things are.


Again, it's only right to appreciate those who have done well, and in reward for their sterling performances or maybe hardwork, they are celebrated and encouraged by getting more work and even higher responsibilities.

As a people, we must all learn and live by speaking up for a better, peaceful and prosperous society. This is one of the unfortunate problem of the Nigerian society of today, right from politics, in business, in the education sector, our religious circles and even in our communities. Somehow, it actually begins from our shared family system and values, a poorly home-trained child moves ahead to live ignorantly and maybe foolishly too. This is why the mantra, "catch them young" is very important.

We must beat down sentiments and bias, while condemning in totality, evil wherever it raises its ugly head, and speaking truth to power for justice, equity and fairness sake.

As a serous-minded people and a prosperous society, we must at all times, ditch vices, while uplifting the sanctity of virtue, encouraging hardwork and rewarding success and excellence. This is very important in our everyday lives. It is a lead way for world super-powers and progressive nations. This is often the style of the people, leaders and the led alike in sane havens and nations.

As an independent observer in the affairs of my home state of Anambra, looking up towards the forthcoming Anambra State Gubernatorial elections slated to hold on the 18th of November, 2017, I have watched as things unfold and particularly, I have waited for the storm brought about by the primaries to be weathered, but then, even as everything slowly calms and maybe is returning to normalcy, I have chosen to make very important notes and correct an impression.

Quote me, wrong is wrong even if everyone else thinks of it, or takes it as right and in thesame line, right is right even if everyone else thinks or takes same as wrong. These things can't stand interchangeably. We may choose to subdue, interchange or wrongly beat up one in favour of another, it never changes a common and verifiable fact.

There were inadequacies that rose from the last primary elections of virtually all major political parties. This assertion could be verified with litanies of pending court cases, the unappealing stands thus far, the infighting noticed and the divisions into camps of the major players or contenders and their groups.

It is not enough to call for peace meetings and declare quite uncharacteristically, and on an unagreeing grounds, that all has been settled and well. The best way to correct a wrong is to fix it. If the primary elections were marred by irregularities, the exercise can be repeated. A repeat of primaries would not bring the world to an end neither would any political party need to break a bank solely for that purpose. This is very important in-order to settle grievances easily, and sort differing or disagreeing parties.


History was made recently, worthy of note is that our distant neighbors, Kenya, who we often laugh at as non-progressives or backward nation through her Supreme Court, have proven to be a truly democratic entity, where a Presidential election won by an incumbent was cancelled and date fixed for a repeat, solely because of complaints and evidences of irregularities. If it's doable in Kenya as a country, why not in our small domain of Anambra.

The PDP for instance have had persons from various camps complain about the outcome of that primaries. I read somewhere too, that some of the would-be party faithfuls who are supposed to be a part of the primaries were actually teargassed (who does that?), inorder to maneuver the entire process, and have special or doctored persons accredited to vote. This is a weighty allegation and shouldn't just be waved off or wished away or swept under the carpet.

I always love falling back to history and the past. This is particularly important because it tells a whole lot of what led to the present, and what may be anticipated or expected in the future. Our minds and thoughts may need to be refreshed, atleast for clarity purposes.

Often times, our society and people tend to forget so fast. Our people either allow certain infighting ruin their chances. Our society sadly, fails to reward excellence, hardwork and loyalty. People who have been consistent, supportive and gone as far as offering their own and all for the progress and good of a group or society are often relegated to the back or pushed away in a rigged system, even when or where many would believe they are supposed to come out victorious. There are mistakes that are costly and aren't worth making or allowed for a repeat. One of such is right here before us.

One of the major reasons why PDP lost shamefully to the opposition, APC at the last General elections was their adamancy and choice, in refusing to hear others' disagreeing opinions and their blunt refusal to do away with sentiments, to doing the right things. It overtook them, ate into them and it finally consumed them. Ofcourse, these are little things that matters, where if neglected, it often backfires. President Goodluck Jonathan lost his reelection bid because those from inside within, even fought and worked against him. If Anambra PDP fails to put their house in order, a repeat is in the offing.

In the last 7days or so, through various social media forums, I have watched a particular clip which has since gone viral. I think it is been circulated by the fans base of one of the major contenders in the forthcoming election, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. Yes, he contested to win his party's nomination ticket during their primaries and sadly, same primaries was allegedly overtaken by irregularities. The use of force, the teargas incident and an allegation of a doctored list of delegates to the primary election have all been raised.

I'm writing particularly about the PDP as a pointer because their chances at winning the Anambra Gubernatorial elections seems high. Well, for that to happen, they must put their house in order first. And ofcourse, non of the contenders is a push aside, even across party lines, but only one candidate will win and so, a good leader goes to war with his best winning squad, not with a divided army heading for a gamble.

In those clip that has now gone viral, I saw a particular one which caught my interest, it was a gathering, according to then Gov. Goodswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, for the very first time of all political office holders, leaders and representatives in Aso Rock. It was organized by non other but the oil tycoon, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who doubles as a sole financier and Director General of the group, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN who had pushed all out, traveling all the states of Nigeria and the FCT creating awareness and collecting signatories for the reelection bid of Mr. Jonathan.

At the venue of this gathering, speaker after another, they were all showering encomiums and praises on the person of Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, from the Chairman of the event to Governors in attendance to the President himself, they were all thankful of him for his choice to institute and fund the TAN group which made serious waves back then.

The TAN impact wasn't solely aim to help in the Presidential elections, according to Pres. Goodluck Jonathan, it in no less measure aided the other PDP Governorship aspirants who were then contestants too. TAN worked for them all and they were thankful.

Even after the President lost, many from the sideline watched to see if Chief. Ubah, the sole financier of TAN would be invited or arrested in connection with Arms Deal loot as it where, incredibly, the man was never fingered in connection with the loot. He had willingly, yes, on his own volition used his resources to sponsor TAN to finish, unassisted.

It is only sad that in less than three years of that uncommon gesture, where Ubah gave in his one and all for the success of his party in the General and State elections, suddenly, they have forgotten whole and entire. They have swept everything under the carpet and are done and dusted with him. It is only unfair, if the allegation of fraud at the primaries which keeps resonating is found to be true. Therefore, the party leadership shouldn't be quick to make conclusions.

Also, talk about qualification, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah like a few other contenders arrived fully made. He is prepared for the herculean job of leadership. He is one man who have achieved quite a lot for himself, his community, the society and our nation. He singlehandedly built the biggest oil tank farm in Nigeria, if not West Africa, the Capital Oil and Gas, where hundreds and maybe thousands are gainfully employed. This oil facility owned by him, in more ways than one has remained the backbone of this nation in times of lack and scarcity.

In an unequaled show of love for his home-state, the think home ideology and rising demand for "Akulueuno" of Ndigbo, he decided to return home and heavily invest. In less than three years, he built the Ifeanyi Ubah Games Village which hosts his Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club and their stadiums, Authority Newspaper, Authority FM (a radio station), and in expanding his frontiers, he is building a hospital, a recreational park, a shopping mall, a cinema, restaurants, a holiday resort infact with other facilities for relaxation and comfort. This gigantic investment is costing him millions of dollars and would in turn employ thousands of Anambrarians.

Chief. Ubah also has a running foundation, where he sponsors bright students, aids the indigent, support the widows and widowers and helps in community development. He had partnered with West Ham Football Club of London, who's management he brought to Nigeria and they made huge donations to schools and the club.

It is pertinent to note that Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah also contested and won the position for Chairmanship, Anambra State Football Association, where in his thoughtfulness and huge support of his initiative, coupled with strategic planning, he founded the Anambra OneFamily OneFootball project aimed at bringing together youngsters who might want to pursue a career in football and thus far, the project is ongoing and variant successes being recorded. Today, the round leather game of football is a big time business and exchange medium, where if one excels, he turns to becoming a resounding success.

Even in his community and his immediate vicinity, he singlehandedly tarred the road and lighted up all around the area. To the church, he has remained a big time donor and supporter. It is worthy to note that he is currently building the Nnewi Catholic Cathedral all on his own.

If Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for instance has made these huge sacrifices and inputs towards the development and progress of Anambra State, we can be assured that he is in for the best, for as the saying goes, more work as reward should be handed-down to the successful. In the long-run, as one of the leading investors in the state, he will do everything within his powers to do more, in delivering dividends of democracy to all divides and people. As an entrepreneur of class, one can say that he has been tested and perhaps, can be trusted.

In the end, whatsoever that is worth doing, is worth doing well. No doubt, the choice of the humble, fine and refined Mr. Oseloka Obaze is a good one, but then, if the process that produced him as his party's flag-bearer was truly marred by irregularities, I appeal to the authorities of the party to do the needful. This is a kind advise, and I say so because we know that if not, it may backfire.

There is supposed to be a level playing ground for all contenders. It is only unfair if there was already a pre-anointed candidate even before the real outing. If true, this kills our democracy. PDP should understand that they are returning from a lost try, and aside that, that the APC at the center has failed Nigerians beyond words, and so, if they repeat thesame mistake of the past that led to their shameful outing in 2015, there are many other parties that would simply buy into their mistake and takeover.

Ubah's entrance into this Gubernatorial race raised the bar, the other party's that were all along nearly convinced of victory rose from their comfort zone, because a man who can command huge followership came on board, and suddenly, all the high hopes is about being marred, it's just not right or fair.

Lastly, as an advocate of good governance, I have retaliated that no sane and right thinking mind should ever bring up the debate of zoning or locality in politics. The question of zone, language and religion has terribly dealt with Nigeria as a nation.

It is on record that on June 12th, 1993, Chief. MKO Abiola as Presidential aspirant had Baba Gana Kingibe as his running mate, incredibly, they ran on a Muslim/ Muslim ticket. Till this day, that election that was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Banagida is still taken as the freest, fairest and most credible election in Nigeria's political history where its believed MKO Abiola won clean and square.

Even around the world, the question of locality, zone and religion matters less, why? Simply because they understand that sentiments, bias and petty-politics doesn't bring progress, infact on the reverse, it begets stagnation. Whoever that is qualified and has something to offer, when gifted a party ticket, it comes down to convincing the electorate, not necessarily zone. It needs no miracle, an acceptable and salable candidate who has the records in variant success is all that is required. I have never and may never be a party to locality or zone as far as politics is concerned.

Afterall, it is on the ignorant mindset of zone and locality that Nigeria is led by people who ordinarily shouldn't have had anything to do within the corridors of power; ask, how on earth did Muhammad Buhari make it to the Presidency? Zone, religious and tribal sentiments, no more, not less.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to note quite clearly, that this is not just about Ifeanyi Ubah per say, it is about doing things aright. It is about standing upon the rock of truth, justice and fairness, devoid of divisions, sentiments or bias.

I appeal to the PDP in particular and all other parties who may have internal crisis to sort it out amicably, even if it means holding another convention for primaries, it's fine. This is to clear the coast, disagreements and rumors of a pre-planned candidates. It will help in bringing forward their very best. Anambra shouldn't end in good or better, the state deserves nothing short of the best.

Therefore, for the love of Anambra, the light of the nation, and all her people, let the best win!